[OPLINTECH] Phoenix not rising

[Chad Neeper]

Deep Freeze. Some of the libraries I support have patron computers that are
fairly open. I don't really care *what* the patrons install or do to them.
I take the approach that the computers are fairly open, so if the patron
can install the programs or updates they need to do whatever it is they're
at the library to do...go for it. But if they can't....sorry, they'll have
to make other arrangements for their special needs. Some of my earlier
configurations even ran with local admin privileges. My later configs are a
little more restricted, but I still take the approach of:  If you CAN, then
go for it.

In all the years I've been using it, Deep Freeze has never once failed to
restore a computer back to the state it was last "frozen" in.

My most recent patron configurations take the extra step of rebooting
between patrons just to ensure that everyone has a clean slate to screw up
in their own special way.

This approach may not be appropriate for all libraries, but it seems to
have done well over the years for the libraries I work with. YMMV.


To specifically address the OP's issue:  I'm not familiar with CleanSlate,
but if it's as good as Deep Freeze at protecting the computers, then as an
option and depending on your networking environment, you might be able to
set up a user with local admin privileges...maybe on a couple of select
computers if you so desired. If a patron is unable to install their
supporting program as a normal user, they could approach the staff for help
and the staff could make the determination that it is (or isn't) a
legitimate use and log the patron in as the admin-privileged user (or
permit the program to install at least). If CS is anything like DF, then
any "permanent" changes will be tossed out on the next reboot.

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*


On Tue, Jun 11, 2013 at 7:46 PM, Adam Murphy
<murphyad at rossfordlibrary.org>wrote:

> If it is educational or job related then I will run the browser in admin
> mode or type in the admin password to allow the program/addon/plugin to be
> installed. I won't give the admin password to staff so if a patron runs in
> to this problem they will have to wait or come back when I'm working.
>
> But I always say no to anything else that needs to be installed with an
> admin account.
>
> Adam
>
>
> On 6/11/2013 4:06 PM, Daniel Nixon wrote:
>
>> After about 15 years of configuring and locking computers for public
>> library patron access, I find today the University of Phoenix sometimes
>> requires the computer user to have local administrative privileges --
>> "for required software installations". Example was a Shockwave error
>> needed on a Phoenix course. Personally, I think this sucks canal water,
>> and I'm curious what others have come up with vis a vis Phoenix, et al.
>> Currently using CleanSlate on Windows 7 with Envisionware PCReservation
>> and LPTOne. Had been using SteadyState on WindowsXP, but last year the
>> library decided it wanted to "upgrade".
>>
>> Dan Nixon, Wilmington Public Library of Clinton County
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> --
> Adam Murphy
> IT Specialist
> Rossford Public Library
> 720 Dixie Highway
> Rossford, OH 43460
> P:(419) 666-0924 F:(419) 666-1989
> www.rossfordlibrary.org
>
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