The HeadLine Personal Information Environment: An Introductory Guide to version 1.2

Introduction

The HeadLine Personal Information Environment (PIE) aims to provide its users with a "one-stop-shop" - a single interface to print and electronic information resources and services. The PIE uses portal-type technology to present an information environment that is personalised to its user's needs and allows user customisation. The user is presented with a page of information resources that are of relevance to their subject area (e.g. Economics). Users are able to create and customise their own PIE pages and they can share these with other researchers in the same field, students on the same course, etc., if they wish.

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How to access the HeadLine PIE

The LSE PIE is located at http://www.headline.ac.uk/lsepie/.* Click on the button to access the PIE. You will then need to enter your username and password. Your username is your email alias (e.g. r.j.smith) and your network password is your password. Once you have logged into the PIE your screen should look similar to the one illustrated above.

If you have problems accessing the PIE then please contact the Headline team: headline@lse.ac.uk.

* Please note that the HeadLine PIE is no longer active. To view a demonstration go to Pete's PIE. This scenario is an example of what a 'typical' student-user session might involve.

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Getting started

When you log into the PIE for the first time the first "page" that you will see will be your default page. Your default page will have your email alias as its title (e.g. "r.j.smith's Page" - you can change this later if you want using the "customisation screen") and will contain several resources in a list named "Sample sources". To view the resources in the Sample sources list you may need to expand the list. To do this click on the small grey box to the right of the list name. (If you have problems expanding the list then make sure that your browser is set to compare the document in the cache to the document on the network every time.)

Each resource has a title, most have a description and some have a logo. Many resources are available at more than one 'location' - for example the full text of a journal (such as the American Economic Review) may be available on the shelf in the library and in electronic format via the web. Each resource shouild have at least one 'location' icon - to the right of its title. There are four location icons: a globe (indicating a web location), a bookshelf (a shelf location), a CD-ROM, and a Windows icon (a Windows application). The database behind the PIE that contains the resource information is currently shared between Headline's partner institutions (the LSE, London Business School and the University of Hertfordshire) hence a resource may have locations at more than one institution. You can access a resource location by clicking on the relevant location icon. Resource locations that are 'greyed out' are not 'clickable'. These are usually resources that are restricted to use on campus.

On the left hand side of the screen there is a list of other pages that are available to you. The "HeadLine All Resources List" is a list of all the library resources currently available in the PIE. The other pages (such as the "Economics" page) contain lists of library resources of relevance to particular subject areas, or to particular courses. Your default page should also be listed.

The HeadLine All Resources List and the subject/course pages can only be edited by the Library. You are able to edit your default page and you can create additional pages if you wish. See also "Adding a resource to your default page" and "The PIE customisation screen".

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Adding a resource to your default page (from another page)

• Click on the small arrow that appears to the right of the title of the resource that you wish to add to your default page.
• The arrow will disappear. This indicates that the resource has been added to the "New resources" list on your default page.
• Click on the link (contained within the left-hand navigation section) to access your default page. Check that the resource has indeed been added to your "New resources" list.
• You will probably want to move the resource from your "New resources" list to another list on your default page. To do this click on the "customise" link at the top right of the page. You will be taken to the "PIE Customisation" screen.
• Scroll down to the bottom of the customisation screen until you reach the heading: "Edit resources on 'Your default page name'".
• The resource that you have recently added to you page should appear in your New resources list. Click the "Edit" button that is adjacent to the resource name that you have recently added. You will be taken to the "PIE Customisation: Editing a Resource" screen.
• Scroll down this screen until you reach the heading: "Add Resource - 'Resource name' to:".
• Click the check boxes to the right of the list(s) on the page(s) in which you wish the resource to appear. if necessary then create a new list.
• Click the "Add" button.
• You can check that the resource has indeed been added to the list(s) that you selected by having a look at the relevant PIE pages that are listed on the left of the screen.

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The PIE customisation screen

The PIE customisation screen can be obtained by clicking the "Customise" link at the top right of the screen.

From the customisation screen you can:

• Change the properties of your default page (and any other pages that you have created). You can assign read and edit rights to other PIE users by adding their full email address within the relevant boxes - e.g. r.j.smith@lse.ac.uk
• Create new pages.
• Delete pages.
• Specify which page you would like to have as your default page.
• Filter your page listing - you can remove pages from the list on the left of your screen.
• Add a new web link to your lists.
• Edit, create and delete lists on the pages that you own.
• Edit and delete resources on the pages that you own.

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Help pages

The PIE Help pages can be accessed by clicking on the "Help" link at the top right of the screen. If you would like to suggest any further help topics then please email the Headline team: headline@lse.ac.uk .

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Logging out of the PIE

You must make sure that you log out of the PIE. To do this you need to click on the Exit link (top or bottom right of the screen). You should then close your web browser. This ensures that no-one else can log into or see your PIE account.

The PIE will automoatically log you out after 15 minutes of inactivity.

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Further Information

Further information about the HeadLine Project can be found at: http://www.headline.ac.uk/.

Please contact the Headline team at: headline@lse.ac.uk if you have any questions or require further information .

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