[OPLINTECH] iTunes/iPods on public computers

[Dan Will]

Mary Beth,
   We currently do have ITunes installed but, I cannot imagine any savvy
patron wanting to have their personal information left on a public
computer.  I understand that not all patrons are tech savvy and that's
where I feel I come in. I try to explain to them that leaving an
accounts information on our computers is not wise and that the Library
cannot  assure them of confidentiality. If they want to use their
account information, restart the computer after they finish.  On our
computers, that should be enough to clear the information. Our computer
use policy (that they have to sign) clearly states that we can not
guarantee their information privacy. I personally, don't have a problem
with patron's making session changes  but, I would not do it myself. 
   I agree with Chad, in that I tend to rely on the Shared Computer
Toolkit or SteadyState to return the computers to their previous state
and leave them "fairly" open. Our patrons want to be able to do anything
that they can do at home (or more, they don't worry about our computers
like their own). "IF" I can allow something without worrying about them
being down half the time, then I'm for it.
-- 
Dan Will
Technology Supervisor
Meigs County District Public Library
Pomeroy, Ohio 45769
740.992.5813
740.992.6140 (fax)
willda at oplin.org

The difference between fiction and reality?
Fiction has to make sense.
Tom Clancy

-----Original Message-----
From: Mary Beth Seith <mseith at twinsburglibrary.org>
To: OPLINTECH <OPLINTECH at oplin.org>
Subject: [OPLINTECH] iTunes/iPods on public computers
Date: Sat, 15 Dec 2007 10:31:29 -0500


Hi everyone,

With the holiday gift-giving season upon us, we're starting to receive 
patron inquiries about the availability of iTunes on our public/lab 
computers so they can make use of all the iPods they're buying. 

Given the considerations with Apple's requirement that you "authorize" a 
computer to an iPod/iTunes account, how are other libraries handling 
this?  Right now, we don't have the iTunes software installed, but we do 
allow patrons to plug in MP3 (or other USB) devices that don't require 
special software.  I have no problem with adding iTunes/iPods, except 
for these issues with maintaining the software installation as being 
generic, privacy considerations, etc.  We don't currently have plans to 
make our music collection available this way, but are simply looking to 
accomodate those patrons who want to use it for their own tracks.

For those of you who make use of a program like DriveShield or 
DeepFreeze, do you simply make the patrons responsible for unauthorizing 
the workstation they're using before departing?  Otherwise I can see 
people ending up with zombie registrations when the system rebooted... 

Thanks!
Mary Beth

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