[Web4lib] Plug-ins

[Sarah Washburn]

Hello,

I work for a project that is creating guides and sharing stories from
libraries on maintaining and sustaining public computers. We've learned
what Edward shared, that the headaches of maintaining public computers
were alleviated once libraries implemented Deep Freeze, Microsoft
SteadyState, Fortres Clean Slate, or another similar solution.

If you're interested in learning more about how public libraries
implemented this and other practical solutions, you can download for
free our latest Cookbook: http://maintainitproject.org/cookbooks

Cheers,

Sarah

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The MaintainIT Project at TechSoup
Share how you keep public computers available!
http://maintainitproject.org/
--> find out the latest at http://maintainitproject.org/blog



-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Hirst, Edward
Alan, Jr
Sent: Friday, July 20, 2007 10:12 AM
To: Robin; Gair Helfrich; Geer, Caroline; web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Web4lib] Plug-ins

we have it installed on our public computers and it works great for us.
All of our public images run with rights to install programs, which
makes it easier for our patrons to use and less intervention from the
staff.

edward

Edward Hirst
Information Technology Librarian
Rowan Public Library
http://www.rowanpubliclibrary.org
Salisbury, NC



-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org on behalf of Robin
Sent: Fri 7/20/2007 12:54 PM
To: Gair Helfrich; Geer, Caroline; web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Web4lib] Plug-ins
 
I'm curious as to whether any of you have investigated DeepFreeze
(http://www.faronics.com/html/deepfreeze.asp) or any similar solution.
It gives us the ability to allow any staff or patron to add any plug-in,
driver or even an executable, on the fly, with no repercussions. Every
time a session is ended on a public machine, it's rebooted
automatically, and DF returns it to its original state, i.e. the way we
set it up when we deployed it. It allows for a great flexibility in
patron service and saves us literally hundreds of hours a year in
maintenance, fixing things etc. It's also not horrendously expensive
(about $30 per machine last time I looked) and more than pays for
itself.
Disclaimer: I have no connection with Faronics other than as a satisfied
user, and I get no benefit from recommending it to others (except that I
like to help if I can!)

HTH 
Robin
Robin Boulton  
IT Manager
St. Charles Public Library District
St. Charles, IL 60174
(630) 584 0076 x 258  
Cell:(630) 918 8738 
http://www.stcharleslibrary.org/
rboulton at stcharleslibrary.org


-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Gair Helfrich
Sent: Friday, July 20, 2007 10:02 AM
To: Geer, Caroline; web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Web4lib] Plug-ins

Caroline,

Fortunately, the library has its own IT department and I'm the head of
it (as well as Technical Services). There are usually two more staff
members in the IT department, but we've down a staff member since
February. :-(  Even fully staffed there aren't enough of us to go
around, but that's a something most of us are familiar with.  

I can be hands on in this building because I'm here, but there are 9
other branches in our system that don't have anyone there who could add
a plug-in. Our goal is to keep all the PCs in the same configuration but
I hated turning down the student so I made the exception this time. I
could have told her to go to her college to take the test but that's not
necessarily the kind of patron service I want to offer. Hmmm...one way
to handle it is to talk to both the local colleges and see what plug-ins
they're using and then try and add those to our setup. I'll do it in my
spare time. :-)

Gair

-----Original Message-----
From: Geer, Caroline [mailto:CarolineGeer at letu.edu] 
Sent: Friday, July 20, 2007 10:57 AM
To: Gair Helfrich; web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Web4lib] Plug-ins

Hi, Gair,

Our IT department handles all those requests, so we defer to them.  They
have wanted to maintain control of all the computers on campus,
including the Library's public stations, which they call the Library
Lab. :)  They want all the public computers (labs) configured the same
with the same programs and plug-ins, basically.

Hope this helps ... Your situation sounds like you are much more
hands-on than we are able to be. 

Caroline Geer
Information Resources Librarian
Margaret Estes Library
LeTourneau University
Longview, Texas 75607-7001
   * 903.233.3272

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Gair Helfrich
Sent: Friday, July 20, 2007 9:36 AM
To: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Web4lib] Plug-ins

Greetings,

What do you do about requests to add plug-ins to your web browsers?
We've got common ones installed, but there are many more out there that
we don't know about until we're asked about it. We just had a request to
add one so a college student could take a math test.  Our security setup
doesn't allow users to download or install executables so any time one
needs adding the staff calls me. After researching it I added it, but
I'm wondering how others deal with this issue. Do you add on a case by
case basis, deny all requests for anything other than standard plug-ins,
etc?

Gair
__________

Gair Helfrich, MLS
Supervising Librarian
Information & Technical Services Manager
Atlantic County Library
40 Farragut Avenue
Mays Landing, NJ 08330

609-625-2776 ext. 6327  Fax: 609-625-8143
ghelfrich at aclsys.org

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