[OPLINTECH] Library PAC computer equipment

Mon May 8 12:48:38 EDT 2017

If I needed the extra horsepower out of a PAC, I would probably go the route Chad described. (and take my chances on nefarious folks figuring out where the computer was..)
Speaking of NUCs, If you are especially worried about theft, if you go up to the lowest end NUC, plus cheap ram, cheap SSD, you can buy a laptop cable lock like:

https://www.amazon.com/Kensington-64068F-MicroSaver-Laptop-Business/dp/B00000K4KH/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1494261420&sr=1-3&keywords=kensington+lock

you’re somewhere between $230-250 per unit all in and you’d have to add 10-15 minutes per unit to install the SSD and RAM, though you’d have something that’d be a lot less likely to walk away.

I’m transitioning our public computers to a mid-range NUC, combined with the cable lock, and have been happy with the results.  From what I’ve seen, I think most of the public don’t even realize that the PC is hanging off the back of the monitor.

Have a good day.

Joe

Joseph Knueven
Director
Germantown Public Library
51 N. Plum St.
Germantown, OH 45327
937-855-4001
joe at gtownlibrary.net

From: OPLINTECH [mailto:oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org] On Behalf Of Chad Neeper via OPLINTECH
Sent: Monday, May 08, 2017 12:28 PM
To: oplintech at lists.oplin.org
Subject: Re: [OPLINTECH] Library PAC computer equipment

We just evaluated Intel Compute Stick (~$150) + free Porteus kiosk (running Chromium browser, but can choose FireFox also) and found the combo to work really well "out of the box". Had it configured and up and running inside of ten minutes. Probably the biggest problem will be finding a way to secure the Compute Stick to keep it from growing legs since it's about the size of two USB memory sticks.

Next biggest question is longevity: It has a 1-year warranty. But countering that is the fact that the operating system running on it is a feather compared to Windows, which the Compute Stick is also capable of running. So the hardware won't be overly taxed and won't generate excess heat (the hardware killer). Plus, the solution is very cheap in both hardware and config time, so even if it needs replaced slightly more often, it's still more cost effective than most other options (in my situation, but YMMV).

I definitely like the combination. I ordered (nearly) the lowest-spec'ed Compute Stick I could get and the hardware is still overkill for the Porteus kiosk software we're looking at using.

Cheap enough to buy one to play with!

2 cents,
Chad

______________________________
Chad Neeper
Senior Systems Engineer

Level 9 Networks
740-548-8070 (voice)
866-214-6607 (fax)

Full IT/Computer consulting services -- Specialized in libraries and schools

On Mon, May 8, 2017 at 12:03 PM, Fred Miller Jr via OPLINTECH <oplintech at lists.oplin.org<mailto:oplintech at lists.oplin.org>> wrote:
Looking for ideas on upgrading PAC computers? We only use them to access information within our catalog and our online calendar and I don’t like the idea of purchasing a whole computer setup and not using the full potential of the computer. We have had thin Clients in the past and I don’t really like them since they have trouble displaying our HTML page that was set up. A small footprint would be great. Thought about going to the Intel NUC’s. Thoughts and ideas welcome.

Thanks,

[Logo Resized]
203 Perry Street Wapakoneta, OH 45895

Fred Miller Jr
IT Service Manager
T: 419-738-1215<tel:(419)%20738-1215> | E: fmiller at auglaizelibraries.org<mailto:fmiller at auglaizelibraries.org>

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