Is a log in required to access electronic resources?
Answer
With few exceptions, active UT Dallas students, faculty and staff should not be required to create a unique log in or profile for a database. Access should be seamless if you are using an on-campus IP address, and off campus users will have an occasional prompt for credentials in order to authenticate you as a current UTD affiliate. This is your NetID and same password you use to access Galaxy.
Other explanations for log in prompts:
1) You followed a link from an outside source like Google Scholar.
A direct link from an outside source or out-of-date saved/bookmarked links will bypass your credentials check (ezproxy). Try locating the journal, video, etc. via the Library's Discover search first and click the title to find a link in the View Online area of the details view.
2) You're on campus and navigating through the Library website, but still prompted to log in or pay for articles.
The most common explanation is that you are accessing the web via the UTDGuest wifi network. The guest network doesn't verify your NetID like CometNet does.
3) You're using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Library-provided links to electronic resources send you through an ezproxy server to either automatically identify you as a UTD student/faculty/staff or prompt you to authenticate with your NetID to gain full access. Most VPNs conflict with the proxy server operation (UTD's GlobalProtect is a notable exception). Try temporarily disabling your VPN.
4) The database requests a log in unique to its services.
Some resources actually do require that you set up a user profile such as RIA Checkpoint or Sci Finder. Do this on campus for best results.