Edubuntu additions for public libraries

[Darrell Eifert]

Hi Ron --

Thanks for the response.  Our patrons will be using the clients in full 
"personal computer" mode.  Full media Internet, Office, graphics, "plug 
in my camera and send pics of the new grandchild", and more.  

I've heard about Sabayon and Pessulus, and they would probably work for 
security, along perhaps with some way of installing a fresh Home 
directory from an archived master each time a patron logs in. 

Our real need is for some kind of time and ticket management system.  
Right now we offer 7 computers for our patrons  (with 1 hour timers) and 
5 computers for guests (with 20 minute timers).  Our current WinXP time 
management system allows us to:

1) see from a central screen which computers are available and the time 
remaining on each computer
2) set each computer to either the one hour pool or 20 minute pool in 
order to adjust for busy times in either group
3) generate a block of printed login / password tickets allowing a 
patron to log in for a timed session at any machine
4) each login is good for one use, with the password database growing 
and shrinking as the passwords are generated and used up
5) take a screenshot of any computer in the pools, allowing us if 
necessary to monitor Internet use that does not conform to our policies

Imagine 25 people waiting impatiently to use 12 computers, and the need 
for some kind of system to provide fair and equitable use becomes 
apparent pretty quickly.  I would estimate that most libraries that have 
more than one or two public-use computers are actively looking for a 
computer-manged solution. 

BTW, I recently did a talk at my State library conference on "Linux in 
Libraries".  I gave a short list what someone considering a Linux 
solution for public-use workstations will face:

------------------------------------------------

Library patrons in general do not care about the principles of 'free 
software'. When using a computer, they want:

To create a resume from a file stored on a 10-year old floppy disk
To download and view pictures of their new grandchild
To connect a camera and upload pictures of the new baby
To watch and listen to news / current events / popular videos
To engage in all manner of web- based socialization
To email and view attachments of every conceivable electronic variety
To print everything properly formatted in both color and monochrome

And they want it all to “just work” without having to read a manual or 
learn anything new ...

--------------------------------------------------

Quite a challenge, but there are enough "pieces" already floating around 
out there (LTSP / MySQL for generating and storing passwords / Sabayon 
or Pessulus for security / CUPS for printing / Mozilla for a central 
administration screen) that an open-source solution may be possible.

Best,

-- Darrell

rmcdaniel at indata.us wrote:
> Will the patrons just be using a browser on the clients in the
> library???  If so, check out how to setup Opera in kiosk mode.
>
> http://www.opera.com/support/mastering/kiosk/
>
>
> Ron
>
>
>
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: [SPAM] Edubuntu additions for public libraries
> From: Darrell Eifert <darrelleifert at myfairpoint.net>
> Date: Fri, May 22, 2009 9:04 pm
> To: edubuntu-users at lists.ubuntu.com
>
> Hello --
>
> Without burdening anyone here with too much of a detailed "wish list",
> I'd like to inquire as to the best or proper way to request additional
> features in Edubuntu or Ubuntu LTSP that would make this distro a very
> attractive option for public libraries. In general, we need two things:
> first of all a way to lock down or restore a workstation to a pristine
> state for each new user, and secondly a way to regulate computer use by
> a system of login tickets (randomly generated printed passwords) and
> timers (different groups of computers for different periods of time).
>
> Many librarians are seeing the end of their WinXP workstations
> lifecycle, and are looking for better alternatives before having to
> spend scarce resources on hardware and software upgrades.
>
> Many thanks in advance.
>
> Darrell Eifert
> Head of Adult Services
> Lane Memorial Library
> Hampton, NH 
>
>
>