[WEB4LIB] Re: Public Internet Computers

[Lori Ayre]

Catherine,

I'm happy to hear you say that.  I think it is a disservice to patrons to
put public access computers on the floor that behave so dramatically
different from a PC they might encounter in a job or at school. There are
ways to configure PCs that make them safe for the library AND allow them to
remain familiar and functional for patrons.  It just takes more time and
skill (aka money) than plunking an interface over the the whole thing and
calling it a day.  

Have you looked at the Gates Foundations's Public Access Computer Security
Tool (formerly known as the PAC_Installer_?  It is a good way to get many
things locked down without crippling the machine or turning it into a
foreign object that access the Internet (or at least some Internet sites).
I've found you still need to supplement the configuration with WINSelect
(ideally) and some changes to registry settings but the PAC Installer is a
good start. 

See http://pacomputing.org/PACTool/pactoolhome.aspx

Lori Ayre

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib at webjunction.org [mailto:web4lib at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of LibraryWebmaster
Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 2004 3:34 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [WEB4LIB] Re: Public Internet Computers



I use deepfreeze to keep everything static.  But, one of my main goals in
setting up this system was to keep the desktop visable.  If a person comes
here, I want it to look like home.  I want it to look like a possible future
job.  We had a more locked down desktop in our previous building.  I ended
up having conversations like the following.  "Well, ya know how you would
have a start menu in this corner... we don't have one... but if we did, you
would click here and then.... "  Patrons, I feel, learn better when they can
actually USE the interface and have it act in a standard way.  

We did, of course, have to lock some stuff down.  But overall, I wanted it
to really FEEL like Windows XP.  

All my own opinion, of course.
Catherine 



=================================
Catherine E. Ingram, M.L.S.
Assistant Head of Adult Services
www.ElmhurstPublicLibrary.org
125 S. Prospect - Elmhurst, IL  60126 Catherine.Ingram at elmhurst.org
Ph:630-279-8696   Fx:630-516-1364

"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance." Derek Bok 

>>> Connie Hudson <connie.hudson at flower-mound.com> 09/14/04 02:40PM >>>
I need to replace a program we are currently using to hide the desktop. The
program runs from Startup and presents the user with 5 buttons for the
programs we allow on our public computers. I want to replace the program,
not only because it is no longer supported, but also because it seems to be
causing more and more headaches for me and the reference staff.

We have 5 WinNT computers and 4 Win98 computers. The WinNTs have Centurion
Guard and the Win98s have Deep Freeze. Is anyone using or know of a program
similar to what I'm using (it's called Pac for Windows) that would hide the
desktop from the user and present them with a menu or buttons for programs
they can use? Are most libraries allowing the customer to see the desktop?

Thanks,
Connie


Connie Hudson, Systems Coordinator connie.hudson at flower-mound.com 
Flower Mound Public Library
3030 Broadmoor  Flower Mound, TX   75022
972-874-6161  fax 972-874-6466