[OPLINTECH] Managing public computers for a public library

[Kevin Puffer]

Ditto Jim and Chad.

One up side of managing Public computers is you DON't have to save user
stuff. I've worked both sides of this fence (Nabisco inc.& Library) and I
prefer the stress of insuring a working computer for the next unknown user
to the stress of insuring a working computer to a well-known employee who
wants to load and maintain everything he/she comes across in a day's
"work", and then trying to retrieve the stuff they have somehow lost track
of. Public computers are easy by comparison (in my experience).

KP



On Fri, Jun 6, 2014 at 1:38 PM, Chad Neeper <cneeper at level9networks.com>
wrote:

> +1, Jim.
>
> That was absolutely spot on!
>
> 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 Fri, Jun 6, 2014 at 1:02 PM, Mann, James H. <JMann at gcpl.lib.oh.us>
> wrote:
>
>> Laura
>>
>> I have a quote taped to my wall which reads:
>>
>> “For some people the library computer will be the only computer they ever
>> own.”
>>
>> As much as I have a love/hate relationship with that idea IMHO you have
>> to strive to make the patron’s two-hour experience the best you possibly
>> can. And then have the computer ready for the next patron. Wash, rinse and
>> repeat for 12 hours a day 12 months a year.
>>
>> So, over the years we have evolved to a computer with very simple
>> security policies and a way (such as Deep Freeze) to restore it to the
>> default settings.
>>
>> We roll out a really nice computer, keep it updated, and have logical
>> restrictions…think of it as a Wabi-Sabi computer i.e. “the best you can do
>> is the best you can do” and there are just some things that aren’t’ going
>> to happen.
>>
>>
>>
>> PS: I hate every and all iterations of coupon sites. Since in my
>> experience they support themselves by loading a bunch of crapware.
>>
>>
>>
>> IMHO
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Jim Mann
>>
>> Technology Coordinator
>>
>> Greene County Public Library
>>
>> 76 E. Market St
>>
>> Xenia OH 45385
>>
>> 937.736.7064
>>
>> *Discover. Learn. Grow. <http://www.greenelibrary.info/>*
>>
>> jmann at gcpl.lib.oh.us
>>
>> [image: cid:image001.jpg at 01CC67C9.EA681980]
>> <http://www.facebook.com/greenelibrary.info>[image:
>> cid:image002.jpg at 01CC67C9.EA681980] <http://twitter.com/#!/greenelibrary>[image:
>> cid:image003.jpg at 01CC67C9.EA681980]
>> <http://www.youtube.com/greenelibrary>[image:
>> cid:image004.jpg at 01CC67C9.EA681980]
>> <http://www.flickr.com/photos/greene-library>
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org [mailto:
>> oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org] *On Behalf Of *Laura Solomon
>> *Sent:* Friday, June 06, 2014 12:42 PM
>> *To:* oplintech at lists.oplin.org
>> *Subject:* [OPLINTECH] Managing public computers for a public library
>>
>>
>>
>> Hello all,
>>
>>
>>
>> Daniel Nixon's great analogy about public computers and books (see the
>> coupons.com thread from earlier today) got me thinking about how much
>> different managing library networks and public computers is from managing
>> tech for just about any other work setting.  I've spoken to IT people
>> (outside of libraries) who are horrified that we typically let people, off
>> the street, do/go wherever they want, stick flash drives into the USB
>> ports, etc.  But, that's what public libraries do.  It's a very different
>> environment in many ways.
>>
>>
>>
>> I'd like to write a blog post about some of these kinds of issues.  If
>> you could tell non-tech staff anything about the difficulties of managing
>> public computer access, what would it be?
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks in advance for your insights,
>>
>>
>>
>> Laura
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>>
>>
>> *Laura Solomon, **MCIW, MLS*
>> *Library Services Manager*, Ohio Public Library Information Network
>> (OPLIN)
>> (614) 728-5252 (voice) | (614) 728-5256 (fax)
>> laura at oplin.org |http://www.oplin.org/
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>
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>


-- 
  *Kevin Puffer*
*Systems Administrator*

*Wood County District Public Library*
*251 N. Main St. Bowling Green, OH 43402*
*(419)** 352-5104   -  kpuffer at wcdpl.org <kpuffer at wcdpl.org>*
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