by George Spain, CCIT Technical Writer

CCIT announced recently that it would not print new campus telephone books, but would instead focus its efforts on the web-based directory, making it easier to revise and keep current.

To update the on-line directory, faculty and staff are encouraged to revise their own listings by using a readily available web browser such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft's Internet Explorer to electronically submit changes to University Communications.

A revamped on-line add, change or delete form is now available at <http://www.musc.edu/tdupdate/> and will replace the old paper form. The on-line directory itself may be viewed at <http://www.musc.edu/ds.html>

When the on-line form has been completed, it can be submitted to University Communications by clicking the "submit" button. The on-line directory will be updated weekly. While many are expected to update their own listing, departments may designate some one to collect and submit batch revisions, at least initially.

Any member of the faculty or staff may request their name and phone number be added to, changed, or deleted from the directory.

Link not ink

The on-line directory can be searched by name, department, title or telephone number. Because it is based on Internet standards, the on-line directory can be viewed by anyone with web access.

The on-line directory, which has listings for faculty and staff, has been available since 1995, the last year the MUSC phone book was printed. CCIT said that it has more than 500 hits per day for the on-line directory now.

The on-line directory also contains e-mail addresses and department telephone numbers. (Students phone numbers are not listed in the on-line directory, but the MUSC Student Directory 1997-1998 was recently published.) Even though there will be no official printed version, University Communications will send a weekly list of updated directory listings to University Press, where print-on-demand copies will be available for approximately $5.

"The growing complexity and increased turn-around time forced us to re-think the paper publication of the directory," said Vince Dibble, director, University Communications for MUSC. "An on-line directory is the best way to keep down the expense of printing telephone books." He said that the last printing cost about $25,000 and was out of date as soon as it rolled off the press because of a large number of department relocations at the time. "We're depending upon users to keep the directory current by updating their information," Dibble said. "In the past, you had to fill out a paper form found in the printed directory and mail or fax it to University Communications. This new method will make it much easier to use the directory."