[K12OSN] LTSP in libraries - HELP!

[James P. Kinney III]

On Wed, 2007-11-21 at 10:48 -0500, Kriston Purdy wrote:
> Have you investigated the Horizon Systems, which is a turn-key linux based
> system. They are using this system in several library locations throughout
> North America and can be tied into Library Card Authentication as well as
> reservations etc...

For reasons I don't know, the Horizon web site is now a junk portal
site. They are owned by Ameritech and their site is also junk. Maybe
they should pay their domain name hosting bill...

Here's a funny thought: The State of Georgia sponsored the development
of a fully open-source library management system called Evergreen
(http://open-ils.org/ ). But for unknown reasons the public school
systems are _paying_ for closed source systems that are less capable are
harder to use. At least the public libraries are jumping on the
bandwagon.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: k12osn-bounces at redhat.com [mailto:k12osn-bounces at redhat.com] On Behalf
> Of Jim Anderson
> Sent: November 21, 2007 10:43 AM
> To: K12LTSP Mail List
> Subject: [K12OSN] LTSP in libraries - HELP!
> 
> Hello All,
> 
> I am in charge of the computers at my local library.  We have 18
> public computers running Windows XP and Envisionware software for
> session control and printing.  The library is beginning an expansion
> that will increase the number of public computers by 50% plus add a
> classroom with more computers.  As I have a large part in the
> decision-making in this area I would like to find a Free alternative
> to having a slew of Vista computers installed.  The library has had
> good results with XP because of the "DeepFreeze" security software
> that is installed.  However an upgrade to Vista will be very costly
> and I am totally unconvinced that it would be a smooth transition and
> maintenance will be incessant.
> 
> I have experience with K12LTSP since helping with a computer lab this
> past year.  I would like to bring the stability, reliability and lower
> cost of ownership that I have experienced with LTSP to the library.
> Instead of buying 25+ new Vista computers the library could buy
> dedicated thin clients and new monitors.  The library will see an
> ongoing cost saving in electricity costs, as well.  I had been looking
> at a Windows-based terminal server solution, but I can't get away from
> the fear that one user could do something that would require the
> reboot of the whole system, or worse.  In my mind LTSP is the only way
> to go.
> 
> As well as using a lighweight locked-down desktop I need to have some
> way to control session lengths, create reservations (preferably a
> self-service kiosk) and store print jobs in a queue for release by by
> the user.  The system would have to be able to interface with a
> payment system, such as Jamex, for payment of print jobs, and it would
> have to be able to read library card barcodes for making reservations
> and for print release.
> 
> So my question is: "Does anyone know of any Linux systems that would
> work with LTSP and meet these requirements?"
> 
> Thank you,
> Jim Anderson
> 
> _______________________________________________
> K12OSN mailing list
> K12OSN at redhat.com
> https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn
> For more info see <http://www.k12os.org>
> 
> _______________________________________________
> K12OSN mailing list
> K12OSN at redhat.com
> https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn
> For more info see <http://www.k12os.org>
> 
-- 
James P. Kinney III          
CEO & Director of Engineering 
Local Net Solutions,LLC        
770-493-8244                    
http://www.localnetsolutions.com

GPG ID: 829C6CA7 James P. Kinney III (M.S. Physics)
<jkinney at localnetsolutions.com>
Fingerprint = 3C9E 6366 54FC A3FE BA4D 0659 6190 ADC3 829C 6CA7
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: signature.asc
Type: application/pgp-signature
Size: 189 bytes
Desc: This is a digitally signed message part
URL: <http://listman.redhat.com/archives/k12osn/attachments/20071121/b8a7b443/attachment.sig>