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Dan,<br>
<br>
I've been giving new life to existing workstations that would otherwise
be retired. For the clients, I've been using software from the open
source project, Thinstation (<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://thinstation.sourceforge.net">http://thinstation.sourceforge.net</a>). On
the back-end server, I'm using Windows XP Pro (yes, XP) with
XPUnlimited (<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.xpunlimited.com/">http://www.xpunlimited.com/</a>) installed on it to provide
the RDS (terminal server) function. This setup gave the users a highly
familiar WinXP desktop with no transitional issues that a Linux desktop
would have imposed. While the thin clients are using the Linux-based
Thinstation software, the users see almost none of it.<br>
<br>
As far as cost, the only cost we have in it is the cost of XPUnlimited,
about $200 (now ~$350, I think) and tech time. While it's not
completely FOSS, it sidesteps staff/patron resistance and meets the
Windows requirement imposed by the library's current (old) automation
software. Using WinXP does have some licensing requirements, but at
this library, we fall within the restrictions with no problems. Check
the WinXP license agreement if you (or anyone else) tries this type of
WinXP solution. I think there is a link to it from the FAQ on the
XPUnlimited web site.<br>
<br>
There are plenty of other TC solutions out there, this one just seemed
to fit very well with the situation/staff/patrons/budget.<br>
<br>
FWIW, Community Library in Sunbury has set up an Edubuntu
(<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.edubuntu.org/">http://www.edubuntu.org/</a>) test. While I wasn't involved with the
setup, they seem happy with what they see and would like to build upon
it.<br>
<br>
Chad<br>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">-----------------------
Chad Neeper
Senior Systems Engineer
Level 9 Networks
740-548-8070 (voice)
866-214-6607 (fax)
-- Full LAN/WAN consulting services --
-- Specialized in libraries and schools --</pre>
<br>
<br>
Dan Will wrote:
<blockquote cite="mid:IOEEKKKNNKLPOKHEPGOMOELLCLAA.willda@oplin.org"
type="cite">
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8">
<meta content="MSHTML 6.00.6000.16544" name="GENERATOR">
<div><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="2"><span
class="248510012-19102007">Chad,</span></font></div>
<div><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="2"><span
class="248510012-19102007"> What are you using for the TCs? I've
been thinking about trying a Linux based TC (haven't had time to delve
too deeply yet though). I downloaded Gutsy Gibbon yesterday and plan to
get the Server version today. I was thinking that Gutsy may be the TC
to try.</span></font></div>
<div><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="2"><span
class="248510012-19102007">Your thoughts?</span></font></div>
<div> </div>
<p><font size="2">Dan Will<br>
Technology Supervisor<br>
Meigs County District Public Library<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:willda@oplin.org">willda@oplin.org</a><br>
740.992.5813<br>
740.992.6140 (fax)<br>
<br>
The difference between fiction and reality?<br>
Fiction has to make sense.<br>
Tom Clancy<br>
</font></p>
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px;">
<div class="OutlookMessageHeader" dir="ltr" align="left"><font
face="Tahoma" size="2">-----Original Message-----<br>
<b>From:</b> <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:oplintech-bounces@oplin.org">oplintech-bounces@oplin.org</a>
[<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="mailto:oplintech-bounces@oplin.org">mailto:oplintech-bounces@oplin.org</a>]<b>On Behalf Of </b>Chad Neeper<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, October 18, 2007 6:26 PM<br>
<b>Cc:</b> Oplintech@Oplin. Org<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [OPLINTECH] public computers (Hijacked Thread)<br>
<br>
</font></div>
Please send any replies to the list. Answering privately doesn't help
anyone but the two parties involved!<br>
<br>
I've set up one of my libraries using thin-client OPAC stations. They
are tightly locked down so the only function available is the OPAC
software. They auto-logoff and shut down at night, and will eventually
auto-boot in the morning. The system works very well. I also
experimented with a test TC station more suitable to general public
use, but found that it was generally shunned. The TC doesn't handle
streaming video particularly well (think dubbed foreign film) and a
large percentage of the library's public use is media-related.<br>
<br>
Although it's not necessarily best in every scenario, there is
definitely an advantage to using TC. I'll continue to develop the
setup. I expect that with time, the streaming issues eventually will be
resolved in some fashion, perhaps in protocol updates.<br>
<br>
My 2 cents.<br>
<br>
Chad<br>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">-----------------------
Chad Neeper
Senior Systems Engineer
Level 9 Networks
740-548-8070 (voice)
866-214-6607 (fax)
-- Full LAN/WAN consulting services --
-- Specialized in libraries and schools --</pre>
<br>
<br>
Jody Stroh wrote:
<blockquote cite="mid:009101c811a8$eabe5820$6504a8c0@WAYPL.local"
type="cite">
<pre wrap="">Good afternoon,
While we're on the subject of public computers, are many of you out there
using thin clients? I've read all the pros and cons on paper, but I'd be
interested in your list of real-world pros and cons.
Thanks,
Jody
--------------------
Jody Stroh
Systems Administrator
Way Public Library
101 E. Indiana Ave.
Perrysburg, OH 43551
Voice: (419) 874-3135 x103
Fax: (419) 874-6129
Email: <a moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
href="mailto:strohjo@oplin.org">strohjo@oplin.org</a>
Web: <a moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="http://www.waylibrary.info">http://www.waylibrary.info</a> <a
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E"
href="http://www.waylibrary.info/"><http://www.waylibrary.info/></a>
"The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the policies and
procedures of Way Public Library."
</pre>
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