[OPLINTECH] public computers (Hijacked Thread)

[Chad Neeper]

Dan,

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 (http://thinstation.sourceforge.net). On the
back-end server, I'm using Windows XP Pro (yes, XP) with XPUnlimited
(http://www.xpunlimited.com/) 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.

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.

There are plenty of other TC solutions out there, this one just seemed
to fit very well with the situation/staff/patrons/budget.

FWIW, Community Library in Sunbury has set up an Edubuntu
(http://www.edubuntu.org/) test. While I wasn't involved with the setup,
they seem happy with what they see and would like to build upon it.

Chad

-----------------------
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 --



Dan Will wrote:
> Chad,
>    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.
> Your thoughts?
>  
>
> Dan Will
> Technology Supervisor
> Meigs County District Public Library
> willda at oplin.org
> 740.992.5813
> 740.992.6140 (fax)
>
> The difference between fiction and reality?
> Fiction has to make sense.
> Tom Clancy
>
>     -----Original Message-----
>     *From:* oplintech-bounces at oplin.org
>     [mailto:oplintech-bounces at oplin.org]*On Behalf Of *Chad Neeper
>     *Sent:* Thursday, October 18, 2007 6:26 PM
>     *Cc:* Oplintech at Oplin. Org
>     *Subject:* Re: [OPLINTECH] public computers (Hijacked Thread)
>
>     Please send any replies to the list. Answering privately doesn't
>     help anyone but the two parties involved!
>
>     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.
>
>     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.
>
>     My 2 cents.
>
>     Chad
>
>     -----------------------
>     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 --
>
>
>
>     Jody Stroh wrote:
>>     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:   strohjo at oplin.org
>>     Web:  http://www.waylibrary.info <http://www.waylibrary.info/> 
>>      
>>     "The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the policies and
>>     procedures of Way Public Library."
>>      
>>      
>>       
>>     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
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>>       
>
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