| Chapter 9: Vendor List | |
| John Houser | |
|
|
|
| Abstract |
In a time where an economic downturn and concerns about climate change are influencing decisions, many libraries are looking for ways to save money and to reduce their impact on the environment. This report provides detailed information about the operating systems, software, and approaches used by three libraries and one academic institution that have implemented open source public workstations. It explains how open source operating systems and applications, when installed on appropriate hardware, can decrease power utilization while providing a reliable and satisfying customer experience. It will help library decision makers who want to find out about alternatives to Microsoft Windows-based PCs running Microsoft Office, not only as a means of cutting costs or reducing a carbon footprint, but also as a means of providing a better experience for library customers. |
Open Sense Solutions provides Linux desktop solutions for libraries, schools, and businesses. Its primary product is Groovix, an Ubuntu-based custom Linux distribution and support service. A typical Groovix distribution for a library would include the following features:
- automatic updates (including security updates, bug fixes, and version updates) from a primary Groovix distribution located either at Open Sense Solutions or at the purchasing library
- automatic timeout and reset when there is no user activity or when a user logs out
- session management supporting a yearly, monthly, daily, or single-session time limit and forced logout, after warnings, when the session is over
- authentication options that include LDAP, PAM, and SIP2 (with SirsiDynix Horizon, Polaris Library Systems Polaris, and SirsiDynix Symphony)
During a system reset, user-writable configuration files are reset, temporary disk space is cleared, and user processes are killed.
Other supported features include workstation monitoring, reservations and queuing, and content filtering (which can be used to meet CIPA requirements).
Open Sense Solutions recommends PaperCut (www.papercut.com), a proprietary product from PaperCut Software, for print job management, but will work with other solutions.
Pricing for a support contract begins at $50 per year per workstation for a standard system.
All Open Sense Solutions scripts and management tools are open source and available on CDs or for download from its website.
W288N2190 Oakton Dr. Suite 6
Pewaukee, WI 53072
Contact: Mike Pardee
Toll-free: 1-888-323-1742
Other: (414) 433-4801
E-mail: michael.pardee@open-sense.com
Canonical provides commercial support and sponsorship for the Ubuntu Linux distributions, including general support, training and certification, custom engineering, and application packaging.
General information: www.canonical.com
Support or engineering services: www.canonical.com/contact/sales
Training enquiries:http://forms.canonical.com/survey?iv=b4116104c0d6c59
Userful provides a complete solution for running Linux-based workstations in any public environment. It bases its solutions on open source software and provides open source applications with its solutions, but also includes proprietary management tools.
200-709 11th Ave. SW
Calgary AB T2R 0E3
Canada
Contact: Daniel Griffin
General toll-free: 1-866-USERFUL (873-7385)
Sales inquiries toll-free: 1-866-873-9126
Other: (403) 289-2177
E-mail: sales@userful.com
DisklessWorkstations.com is a vendor of terminal hardware compatible with LTSP.
360 East Maple Road, Suite C
Troy, MI 48083
Toll-free: 1-888-359-5877
Other: (248) 724-0701
Fax: (248) 577-0201
E-mail: sales@DisklessWorkstations.Com
Article Categories:
|
|
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Published by ALA TechSource, an imprint of the American Library Association.
Copyright Statement | ALA Privacy Policy