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Transition from BamaNet to OneDrive for ad distribution
For nearly 30 years, ANAS has utilized BamaNet as a platform to distribute OneSystem display ads, Newspaper Network, and Ala-SCAN ads to newspapers across the state. Beginning September 28, Egnyte—the company that helped us create and maintain BamaNet—is implementing a new policy requiring two-factor authentication. Because BamaNet currently operates using a shared login for all participating newspapers, this new requirement will prevent us from continuing to use the platform as we have in the past.
Additionally, Egnyte’s new pricing structure would require us to pay a fee per user, per month. With multiple users needed for each of our 100+ participating newspapers, this would not be a financially sustainable option for ANAS or our members.
Moving to OneDrive
To make this transition as seamless as possible, we have already begun introducing OneDrive links for Network ads and statewide amendments. This will allow APA members to become familiar with the new process for downloading ads.
With OneDrive, ANAS can email you a direct link to the appropriate folder, and no login is required to access the files. If an ad needs to be password protected, we can still do that (and you just remove the password after it’s downloaded in Acrobat like before).
Going forward, all ANAS ads ordered through the OneSystem, as well as Network advertising, will be distributed through email as a OneDrive link. You will not be able to access ads via BamaNet after Sept. 28.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we make this transition. Please notify all of your ad personnel, and if you all experience any difficulty accessing or downloading files through OneDrive links, please contact:
Thank you for working with us as we transition to this new method of ad distribution.
Important Reminder About PDF File Names on AlabamaPublicNotices.com
Recently, more users of AlabamaPublicNotices.com have begun using the Chrome browser, including Chrome’s new AI features, to access public notices. APA has received reports from users who are having difficulty downloading PDF attachments for certain notices.
Our website developers investigated the issue and found that Chrome may be unable to open PDFs when certain special characters are included in the file name. In particular, plus signs (+) and commas (,) can prevent a PDF from opening properly.
To help ensure that public notices remain accessible to everyone, APA is asking newspapers to avoid using special characters in the file names of PDFs uploaded to AlabamaPublicNotices.com—especially plus signs (+) and commas (,). This really applies to papers that upload directly to AlabamaPublicNotices.com, and not for papers who are automating their feeds to our FTP site.
Periods used in file extensions (such as .pdf) are acceptable, and we believe hyphens (-) are also safe to use.
The purpose of AlabamaPublicNotices.com is to provide the broadest possible access to public notices. We want to make sure that something as simple as a file name does not create an unnecessary barrier for users trying to view or download a notice. Other browsers such as Firefox do not pose these same issues, but we cannot control what browsers our readers use. You can direct readers to try another browser like Firefox if they do run into this situation, but we are trying to avoid it using best practices.
Please pass along this information to whoever uploads your public notices to AlabamaPublicNotices.com. If you have any questions, please contact Leigh Leigh at leigh2@alabamapress.org. Thank you for helping us keep AlabamaPublicNotices.com accessible to everyone.
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