Opening the portal for Windows 10 computers
I know we must open the portal for about 20 minutes every couple of weeks to avoid problems. With the new computers (Windows 10), is it necessary to be in the Admin screen when this is done, or is it okay if we use the Patron screen? I know that any updates for the computers must be done thru Admin, but not sure if it is necessary to be in Admin for the portal.
Thanks.
Lorraine Sandeen
Comments
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When you do updates for the computer please also select the blue check online for updates.
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Lorraine
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
[ And, I have work in "Family History Centres" of the Church for a number of years ... ]
As an aside ...
And, Just is case ...
Question: Are you aware, that the "Portal", for "Family History Centres" of the Church, all around the World, is CURRENTLY "Unavailable"?
The GENERIC 'Portal', of/at "Family History Centres", ALL around the World; especially, for access to the (FREE) "Premium" Websites; and/or, "Restricted" Materials (eg. Films) is TEMPORARY Unavailable, which started on about 2 June 2021, for possibly up to x90 Days, for ESSENTIAL Planned (system-wide) Maintenance (and, updates.
We are almost ⅔ of the way through ... there is still a ways to go ...
I believe, that this is a "Copy", of an "E-mail", that was 'sent out', to certain, responsible, "Leaders".
And ...
Here is a 'FamilySearch' "Research Wiki" page/screen which also references the matter:
Family History Center Portal
https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Family_History_Center_Portal
Humbly submitted, just is case, you were not aware ...
Please disregard, this 'Comment' of mine, if you were already aware.
Brett
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Yes, I am aware. However, I hope that, like a Phoenix, the Portal will, once again, arise. At that point, I need to know if it is necessary for me to access the portal in the Admin desktop. Or, will using the Patron desktop accomplish the same feat? I access the portal on all machines every week when I staff the FHC - I know it only has to be done once every couple of weeks, but it doesn't hurt to do it more often.
I appreciate the link to the wiki, but it does not address the issue of which desktop must be used for Windows 10 machines. I've a "gut" instinct that it does not matter, but I have been using the Admin desktop just in case. However, it would be more convenient to me to be able to use the Patron desktops (I usually come into the FHC about an hour before my shift to run everything and get the 10's back to Patron mode before patrons begin arriving). Either way is fine - just need to know for sure.😊
Thanks,
Lorraine
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Lorraine
No worries.
Just wanted to make sure, you were aware, some "Family History Centres" are just STARTING to REOPEN (for the FIRST time); and, the Directors/Staff seem NOT to be aware.
Aren't we ALL, 'hanging out,' for the FHC "Portal", to be available again ...
Our FHC, "Reopened" in about August/September LAST Year ...
[ But, we are in "Lockdown" AGAIN, at the moment ... ]
Just like you (BEFORE, the FHC opens for ANY Session) ...
When we are OPEN, I regularly check for, "Updates" of the "Browsers"; and, do the "Updates" for the "Operating System" (ie. MS, Windows 10), if need be.
I have been doing so through the "Patron" Access; but, the "Admin" seems to be automatically updated as well.
I had never noticed any notification/requirement for a need to, access; or, update, the actual FHC "Portal".
I would suggest, that if there was a need, that doing so; as, an "Admin", would be the best course of action.
And, I would suggest, that doing ANYTHING, of real note, would be best done; as, an "Admin", rather than "Patron".
Just my thoughts.
But ...
That Said ...
As, the actual FHC "Portal" is DOWN (all-be-it, TEMPORARY Unavailable) at present, there is not much we can do.
We just have to WAIT until the FHC "Portal" is up an running again.
Brett
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always use the Admin account for updating computers, also select the blue check on line, You are already in the Admin account you can update everything from here.
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When an FHC computer is setup, the Portal is checked to be working when in the Administrator mode. However, once setup the Portal can be accessed equally in both Administrator and Patron modes.
All Updates to Windows and the addition of software programmes, such as Ancestral Quest for example, should only be run when in Administrator mode.
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David
'Yes' ...
I, understand; and, agree, about the FHC "Portal", when a FHC Computer is setup; and, the FHC "Portal" is subsequent accessed, after setup.
But ...
That Said ...
I have never 'heard' anything about the FHC "Portal" REQUIRING / NEEDING to be accessed every so often.
And ...
As an aside ...
Although, I have noticed, that the "Updating" of the "Browsers"; and, the "Updating" for the "Operating System" (ie. MS, Windows 10), can be done from the "Patron" access; and, the "Admin" access, seems also to get updated, in the process (in fact, the WHOLE computer).
Brett
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The Portal allows access to Premium Websites, and access to the Images, which replaced our Film Reels and Fiche, but especially the Portal allows access to Images which are licensed for viewing only in our Family History Centres.
If Guests in our Centres are doing a lot research, the Portal in this way can be used constantly for many hours.
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Starting up computers every 2 weeks was begun during the pandemic closures as FHCs, being off so long, were losing their connectivity to the Portal and re--establishing the connections was taking valuable missionary tech time.
Starting the computers every two weeks would keep that connectivity and services as updates now occur upon *startup.*
Once centers open and are shutting down computers at the end of the day or week, that will no longer be necessary.
However, if the center is shut down for an extended period for holidays, weather, and other closures that are lengthy, starting up the computers to maintain connectivity would be necessary on a per need basis.
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Sister Enders
Our (local) "Family History Centre" was lucky.
We were ONLY "Closed" (as per the mandate of the Church) for about x6 Months, from the start of the Pandemic, LAST Year. And, authorised to REOPEN.
But, while we were "Closed", I went in every so often (usually, every second Weeks or so), to switch on the FHC Computers, making sure that, (1) any updates for the the "Operating System" were applied; and, (2) the 'Versions' of ALL the "Browsers" was being updated to the most recent. At NO stage did I really "Access" the FHC "Portal" (or, check for any updates for such).
Perhaps, just accessing the FHC Computers, like I was doing, was sufficient, in regard to the FHC "Portal".
I for one, certainly DID NOT know, that it was a "Requirement", to access the FHC Computers, on a "Regular" basis; specifically, regarding the FHC "Portal".
I have never been advised of such; nor, cannot recall, 'seeing' such in ANY of the FHC Guidelines/Procedures.
The "Updating" of ALL of the, "Guidelines"; and, "Procedures", for "Family History Centre" (Worldwide), definitely need to 'hurried along' - as, they are so outdated (in fact, literally, 'Ancient').
The "Updating" of ALL of the, "Guidelines"; and, "Procedures", for "Family History Centre" (Worldwide), has been doing on now, for MANY Years now.
Just my thoughts.
Brett
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For the portal to function properly in the past, the portal status installer program in the Application finder would give a date of expiration. If the computer was not accessed in the administrator login for a period of about 45 days the portal functionality was lost. The portal was on a use it or loose it opportunity. Once the portal was lost , an error about the expiry etc would show on the monitor and a call to family History center support would be necessary for a tech to restore the portal to that computer.
So in conclusion, turning on a computer brings in updates, but you must be in administrator login for specific updates like the Application Finder to flow to the FHC computer to keep all the programs accessible that are authorized for a FHC computer. That responsibility is given to the Center Consultant (director) with the trained knowledge of the administrator password and the reasons for it.
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Carol
'Thank You' for that information.
But ...
That Said ...
There were significant periods when the "Administrator Login" of the FHC Computers were NOT accessed.
I am talking about periods of some, x3 to x6 Months; or, even much longer.
And, our FHC never has any significant problems/issues, with the FHC "Portal", in that regard.
So, I have to have to 'question' that information.
Admittedly, our FHC did have some problems/issues, that included the FHC "Portal"; but, such were linked to incorrect, "Changes"; or, incorrectly applied "Updates" (etc).
Again, interesting,
I will have to 'check' the 'status' of the FHC Computers, after this "Enforced" (ie. Citywide) "Lockdown".
As, I do not want to incur, the wrath, of 'disobeying', our State Government, Health Orders.
[ Goes without saying, not to mention, the direction of our Local Priesthood Leadership ... ]
Brett
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Our FHC computers in terms of the Windows OS version and Hardware Driver, necessarily require the running of updates. Because of Lockdown restrictions, my Bishop has allowed me to attend my FHC alone to run these updates.
With regard to the Portal, today sees the role out of the new Portal Chrome Extension ahead of time.
The Portal page URL is now https://www.familysearch.org/fhcenters/portal
Gone is https://fhc.familysearch.org
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David
Sounds promising ...
But ...
That Said ...
Our entire 'City' is in an "Enforced" (ie. Citywide) "Lockdown".
In some suburbs, you cannot "Leave", WITHOUT, one of only a few Acceptable (and, NOW, Legal) REASONS.
NOT even our Local Priesthood Leadership, can give us permission/authority, to attend a Church building, let alone, the FHC in our Stake Centre - either, in; or, a, "Hotspot".
In our 'locale', we will have to WAIT, until the "Lockdown" is LIFTED - State Government, Health Orders.
Brett
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Please see your private message in community by clicking this at the top of the page
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The portal and premium websites are now working.
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Good news,
Portal and Premium Websites along with Restricted Records are officially fully operational as of last Thursday afternoon. If you are having problem accessing the extension may not be fully installed.
Family History Center Premium Content Browser Extension • FamilySearch
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