[OPLINTECH] Userful Desktop

[Dan Moore]

    I was wondering if any one has any experience with the Userful 
Desktop for public computers.

http://www2.userful.com/products/videos/userful-on-tv

I ask about time and print management and received this in response from 
Yani Indrajaya Customer Success Specialist, yani at userful.com

/For Time management, Userful Desktop have a built in session timer. You 
specify how much time each session last and every time a patron logs in, 
a count down clock will time their session and it will warn them when 
the session is about to end and logs the user out when their time is up.

If you wish to have Userful integrate against your ILS, there are two 
additional time management options: Usage Tracker and Pre-Book.

Using Authentication against your ILS, usage tracker limits patrons to a 
given amount of computer time each day. Once a user's time has been used 
he or she cannot get back on a workstation without staff approval. 
Pre-Book is a full featured, open source, PC booking reservation system. 
It allows patrons or staff to book the next available PC or reserve 
computer time in advance from home, office, school, or the library 
itself using any web browser. Policy settings ensure the library retains 
full control over usage. It also enables the library to limit the total 
amount of time users spend on the stations each day, regardless of 
location. Features of note include: Maximum Usage Enforcement, Advance 
Reservations, Walk-Up Booking, Grace Periods, Penalties for "No Show" 
Reservations, Email Reminders and Double-Booking Prevention.

As for printing, Userful Desktop has a configurable print cost control 
dialog box built in. When a user prints from any application, Userful 
Desktop calculates and displays print-job costs. Patron must agree 
before it sends the print job to reduce paper and time waste. This 
pop-up can also display custom messages like instructions on how to 
retrieve and pay for their printout. Receipts can optionally be included 
with the print job.

Userful also offers two add-on options. The first is a print queue 
management option that holds print jobs until a staff member releases 
them. This ensures no printouts are made until they are paid for. 
Another add on is a coin/bill or card payment system that makes your 
print cost recovery program entirely self-service for patrons. They 
approach the print payment kiosk, select their print out and pay for the 
job. /

-- 
Dan Moore 
Automated Services Coordinator 
Garnet A. Wilson Public Library of Pike Co. 
207 N. Market St.
Waverly, Ohio. 45690 

gawasc at oplin.org
Phone: 740-947-4921 
Fax: 740-947-2918

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