[OPLINTECH] O365 for public

[Chad Neeper]

Yeah, I understand people not being able to adapt to change. I tried many,
many years ago to introduce OpenOffice (this is pre-fork to LibreOffice)
onto patron computers as an alternative. I didn't straight up replace
M$Office, though...just an additional offering. But it didn't take. At all.
People simply couldn't handle the change. But lately, with the current
state of technology, it seems like people *should* be more adaptable now
that they've had years of exposure to Google Docs, O365, et al., ...on
their computers, phones, tablets, etc. and with the constant state of
change that is forced upon them on all of those platforms. I've been
wondering if we're *finally* at a place where I can start putting out some
linux-based patron computers with Google Chrome, Firefox, OnlyOffice, etc.
installed...without causing too much of a panic. I've figured if I *did*
try to make that leap, we'd still need to have some token Windows+MSOffice
computers available, but I've been wondering if we can finally get away
with it. Could potentially be a significant cost savings, if so.


______________________________
*Chad Neeper*
Senior Systems Engineer

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

*Full IT/Computer consulting services -- Specialized in public libraries*


On Tue, Feb 25, 2025 at 11:28 AM Colleen Sandusky <
csandusky at loudonvillelibrary.org> wrote:

> Hi Chad,
> I'm running a test with Free Office right now. The difference between it
> and O365 aren't horrible, but I don't want to create an issue for frontline
> staff.
> Thanks,
> Colleen Sandusky
> Loudonville Public Library
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* OPLINTECH <oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org> on behalf of Chad
> Neeper via OPLINTECH <oplintech at lists.oplin.org>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, February 25, 2025 11:24 AM
> *To:* OPLINTECH <oplintech at lists.oplin.org>
> *Subject:* Re: [OPLINTECH] O365 for public
>
> Anyone considering an alternative approach such as perhaps OnlyOffice?
> ...Maybe with just a tiny percent of computers having true Microsoft Office
> for the cases that truly require it for any document that just doesn't work
> quite right?
>
>
> ______________________________
> *Chad Neeper*
> Senior Systems Engineer
>
> *Level 9 Networks*
> 740-548-8070 (voice)
> 866-214-6607 (fax)
>
> *Full IT/Computer consulting services -- Specialized in public libraries*
>
>
> On Tue, Feb 25, 2025 at 11:20 AM Larry Ritchie via OPLINTECH <
> oplintech at lists.oplin.org> wrote:
>
> Yes single license and then its important to click "sign into this app
> only" otherwise it'll sign into any microsoft service like Edge and they
> can get into the account and its a mess. Thanks,
> Larry
>
>
> [image: photo]
> *Larry Ritchie*
> IT Manager, Tuscarawas County Public Library System
>
> Office: 330.364.4474 ext 235
>
> Cell: 330-983-6941
>
> lritchie at tusclibrary.org
>
> www.tusclibrary.org
> 121 Fair Avenue NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* Colleen Sandusky <csandusky at loudonvillelibrary.org>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, February 25, 2025 11:18 AM
> *To:* Larry Ritchie <lritchie at tusclibrary.org>; OPLINTECH <
> oplintech at lists.oplin.org>
> *Subject:* Re: O365 for public
>
> Hi Larry,
> I was thinking the same thing. Are you using a single license per machine?
> I was looking at using the five installations per license but then anyone
> using any of those five machines would potentially have access to anything
> done on those five machines since they use the same Microsoft account.
> Colleen Sandusky
> Loudonville Public Library
>
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* Larry Ritchie <lritchie at tusclibrary.org>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, February 25, 2025 11:13 AM
> *To:* OPLINTECH <oplintech at lists.oplin.org>; Colleen Sandusky <
> csandusky at loudonvillelibrary.org>
> *Subject:* Re: O365 for public
>
> I just went through this whole thing. Set up generic accounts and then
> took away certain licenses associated with the account (email, sharepoint
> etc)
>
>
> [image: photo]
> *Larry Ritchie*
> IT Manager, Tuscarawas County Public Library System
>
> Office: 330.364.4474 ext 235
>
> Cell: 330-983-6941
>
> lritchie at tusclibrary.org
>
> www.tusclibrary.org
> 121 Fair Avenue NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* OPLINTECH <oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org> on behalf of
> Colleen Sandusky via OPLINTECH <oplintech at lists.oplin.org>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, February 25, 2025 11:12 AM
> *To:* OPLINTECH <oplintech at lists.oplin.org>
> *Subject:* [OPLINTECH] O365 for public
>
> Good morning,
> I'm planning an upgrade to our public computers this year, so I'm
> evaluating the best avenue for offering O365 to patrons. We are currently
> using Office 2019 which is standalone so doesn't cause any issues. We do
> use O365 for Education for staff.
> I'm not seeing a way to offer O365 without requiring a Microsoft account
> login. Am I missing something? What are other libraries doing that doesn't
> create a privacy nightmare or restricted use?
> Thanks,
> Colleen Sandusky
> Loudonville Public Library
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