[Web4lib] Thin Client Opinions

[Andrew]

We run a pair of Windows 2003 servers to support OPACs terminals at two 
separate locations and it works great. I also had purchased some 
terminals to test out for replacing Internet and word processing PCs. At 
the time I tested them, the issues I ran into included:

1) Video and multimedia support
2) Support for USB devices
3) Support for CD burning

If I had done this say 3 or 4 years ago, I could probably have made that 
work since #1 was really the only issue. But over the past couple of 
years, the demand and expectation by patrons for support for #2 and #3 
has really grown significantly. I know that there are terminals that 
include USB ports and can be purchased to include CD and floppy drives. 
I also think that the more recent versions of MS's RDP client have 
decent support for redirect to peripherals, USB devices and audio. But 
to make those work well, the terminals that you have to purchase to 
include support for 1 - 3 approach the price of an equivalent PC. With 
tools like Active Directory and DeepFreeze, the hands on maintenance 
required to keep up PCs isn't as onerous as it once was. It just didn't 
seem like it was worth the trade-off, especially since I couldn't 
predict what new technology patrons would want/need in the next couple 
of years.

For those who have gone the terminal route for public Internet 
computers, how well do they support 1 - 3 and how do you handle demand 
for those?

Thanks,

Andrew Mutch
Library Systems Technician
Waterford Township Public Library
Waterford, MI



Robert L. Williams wrote:
> Gem:
>
> I have presented introductory workshop sessions for small libraries on
> using terminal services (aka, thin-client technology) in a public access
> setting and found in my experience that terminal services provides an
> excellent platform for reducing ongoing costs/support for libraries. In
> my setup, I've used a commodity (consumer) low-end desktop computer to
> serve up to 15 recycled computers acting as thin clients (surprisingly,
> works incredibly well). Obviously, using a "real" server platform with a
> single- or dual-processor Xeon dual-core server with lots of RAM will
> allow you to serve many, many clients. Scott V., in his response
> earlier, demonstrates that result.
>
> The one sticky point with thin clients is motion video (whether online
> 3d gaming or simple video streams). Full motion video will bog down a
> terminal server and/or its network connection. In my mind, there are a
> couple of ways of handling video in a public access setting. First, if
> you allow video streams, be sure to analyze your current network
> environment. Gigabit networking will provide some relief from network
> congestions; the network link from your terminal server to your switch
> absolutely must be a gigabit link. Second, if you have the capability
> (using a proxy server, for example) of blocking specific types of files
> at specific client locations, you can designate certain stations to
> support video and restrict it on others. This way you can limit your
> performance hit. Third, you can also look at a multi-headed (multi-user)
> solution such as Userful's DiscoverStation (mentioned already). This
> works a bit differently than terminal services and limits the total
> users to about 8 or 10 per computer, requiring multiple host computers
> in a larger environment.
>
> Otherwise, for general web surfing, e-mail, and office functions (what
> most people use), terminal services provides a very, very good solution
> for minimizing technology costs. I highly recommend looking at its
> benefits for your library. You can implement a Windows Terminal Server
> solution ($, and there's a 180-day evaluation version of Windows Server
> 2003 you can download--you'll be able to implement a Windows Terminal
> Server and experiment with it for 120 days before it times
> out--http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/bb430831.aspx), a
> Citrix solution ($$$), or investigate the benefits of open source
> software ($0)--there is currently a Linux distribution slanted toward
> education environments with Linux terminal services available: Edubuntu.
> It's free to download and test/review/implement
> (http://www.edubuntu.org/Download). It uses LTSP, the Linux Terminal
> Server Project, which you can add to any Linux flavor.
>
> Good luck with your project!
>
> --Robert
>
> ********************************************
> Robert L. Williams
> Technology Trainer/Consultant
> Williams Consulting
> 4206 Dakin Place
> Corpus Christi, TX 78411
> 361-855-2802
> http://www.rlwconsulting.com/
>
>
> Gem Stone-Logan wrote:
>> My manager is looking for opinions from organizations that are either 
>> moving
>> toward or away from thin clients.  We are specifically looking at 
>> using them
>> for our public patron computers.  We've completed an evaluation for our
>> district but would like to know what other libraries are doing.  If you
>> wouldn't mind discussing this subject with her, send me an email and 
>> I'll
>> forward it.
>>
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Gem Stone-Logan
>> Weld Library District
>> http://www.mylibrary.us/
>> gemstonelogan at gmail.com
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