[Web4lib] Thin client computer lab (Cab Vinton) (Bill Hudson) (Kozlowski, Brendon)

[Teri Rogers]

Caught. In our environment (early 2008 adoption) audio video is not
perfect. I haven't really seen any issues with audio, but there can be a
lag/disjoint  in programs with both audio and video. Although, honestly,
not in every file type, and number of concurrent users isn't the issue.
I mention the date because there are I think 2 software iterations since
ours, and a new Sun Ray 3 desktop unit is out (AV improved). There's a
very active Sun Ray users mailing list at filibeto.org and I believe the
list archive is open to all for searching.
If you're interested, I'm happy to chat. I've had pretty good luck with
Oracle/Sun reps coming to do a dog-and-pony show, too. 
2 things: desktop units weigh about 5 lbs. (and yep, they do have a
Kensington lock slot). Using cloned virtual machines = excellent.

Cheers,
Teri

Teri Rogers
Network / Technology Administrator
Coralville Public Library
1401 5th Street
Coralville, Iowa 52241
319.248.1850
www.CoralvillePublicLibrary.org



Today's Topics:

   1. Re: Thin client computer lab (Cab Vinton) (Bill Hudson)
   5. Re: Thin client computer lab (Cab Vinton) (Kozlowski,Brendon)


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Message: 1
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:13:43 -0400
From: Bill Hudson <bhudson at lancasterlibraries.org>
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Thin client computer lab (Cab Vinton)
To: "web4lib at webjunction.org" <web4lib at webjunction.org>
Message-ID: <FA1C83C019407847964B4BC3BDEA3E08CFDA4AA7 at mail.lanco.lib>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hi Terri,
Very interesting setup. Does your solution support full motion
video/sound on a significant number of machines simultaneously? That
seems to be the real Achilles of the solutions we've looked at so far
(unless you buy massive servers for the back-end).
Thx,
BH

************************************************************************
*****
Bill Hudson
Deputy Administrator/Manager, Information Technology
Library System of Lancaster County
1866 Colonial Village Lane, Ste. 107
Lancaster, PA? 17601
717-207-0500 ext. 1269
http://www.lancasterlibraries.org


-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Teri Rogers
Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2010 6:10 PM
To: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Thin client computer lab (Cab Vinton)

We're using Sun Sun Ray software and hardware and serving up XP Pro
virtual machines/desktops to the public. We are using VMWare as well.
This is done with 3 servers and 60 of the Sun Ray 270 ultrathin
stateless clients. The thin clients have full size keyboards and mice.
(You can use most USB brands; we chose the Sun model). We've also added
some Sun Ray Gobi thin client laptops. 
The Sun Ray desktop hardware was very reasonable (better than price
listed online) and they have great longevity and use little power. Most
if not all of the software we used in our 2008 setup is free but does
come with a learning curve.
The best part is the desktop virtualization: in 90 seconds I can rebuild
a desktop. This process can be automated as well.
Might be worth a look.

Teri Rogers
Network / Technology Administrator
Coralville Public Library
1401 5th Street
Coralville, Iowa 52241
319.248.1850
www.CoralvillePublicLibrary.org

------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:12:46 -0400
From: Cab Vinton <bibliwho at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Thin client computer lab
To: web4lib at webjunction.org
Message-ID:
	<t2u835777771004121212y4f559117g13fc54a1f65aeb26 at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Thanks to all for your various responses.

Userful would require additional ongoing yearly costs of $60 per seat,
plus $240 for the Userful Desktop. So, not particularly attractive to
us.

The lab would in fact be mostly unattended, so security concerns would
certainly be a factor.

Also, since we would plan on doing significant outreach to seniors for
classes, netbooks & laptops would not be our first choice. Large
screens & full-size keyboards would meet their needs much better.

Have not made any decisions yet ...

Cab Vinton, Director
Sanbornton Public Library
Sanbornton, NH


Message: 5
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:02:29 -0400
From: "Kozlowski,Brendon" <bkozlowski at sals.edu>
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Thin client computer lab (Cab Vinton)
To: <web4lib at webjunction.org>
Message-ID: <7CEA2D1F178AA34F8404E0722F0EC405169BE2 at Postal.sals.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="iso-8859-1"

I too would be interested to hear about the simultaneous
(beginner-level) video/sound editing capabilities of the thin clients.
Our computer training lab doesn't do much of this, but we do offer
classes so it is a concern.
 
 
 
Brendon Kozlowski
Web Administrator
Saratoga Springs Public Library
49 Henry Street
Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866
[518] 584-7860 x217

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