Kiosk browsers

[Paul Butler (pbutler3)]

Howdy, 

We use Windows SteadyState (a free Microsoft product) on Windows XP machines with a few group policy tweaks and have been happy with the results.

Basically the machine auto logs in as a limited account with IE in full screen mode defaulting to the library website - so no menu bar, favorites bar, or address bar shown.  Through SteadyState I have a 30 minute timer that is displayed to the user that automatically reboots the machine and logs back into the limited account.  This wipes away and changes a previous user may have made.   

Someone smart could close the browser, but I have the desktop shortcut to IE setup to always open up in Kiosk mode. I removed access to all other programs and OS features with SteadyState.  Folks could find a way to navigate off of our website, but with the timer, lack of Flash, and lack of a chair, we have yet to see this happen in the 7 months we have had this setup deployed.  We also use signage to let users know how machines are meant to be used.  

We actually use SteadyState for all our Guest Access (non-university domain users) and Govt Docs computers and the response from users and staff has been overwhelmingly positive.  

Cheers, Paul
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
Paul R Butler
Assistant Systems Librarian
Simpson Library
University of Mary Washington
1801 College Avenue
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
540.654.1756
sites.umw.edu/library/

Sent from the mighty Dell Vostro 230.
________________________________________
From: Web technologies in libraries [WEB4LIB at LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Liebhardt, John T. [jtliebhardt at NSU.EDU]
Sent: Thursday, December 08, 2011 8:43 AM
To: WEB4LIB at LISTSERV.ND.EDU
Subject: [WEB4LIB] Kiosk browsers

Hello all,

We are a medium-sized academic library looking for a kiosk browser that would allow patrons to do some quick searches on the catalog and databases, but keep them from loitering on these stand-up machines watching You Tube videos, checking Facebook, etc. (We have an information commons where they can research and study.)

We built an in-house version that does a pretty good job keeping people from leaving the Library website, but the browser is clunky and lacks usability.

For those using Kiosk browsers, what did you purchase? How is it working for you?

Thanks,

John


John Liebhardt
Systems Librarian
Lyman B. Brooks Library
Norfolk State University
700 Park Avenue
Norfolk, VA 23504
Office: 757-823-2334
Email: jtliebhardt at nsu.edu<mailto:jtliebhardt at nsu.edu>


============================

To unsubscribe: http://bit.ly/web4lib

Web4Lib Web Site: http://web4lib.org/

2011-12-08

============================

To unsubscribe: http://bit.ly/web4lib

Web4Lib Web Site: http://web4lib.org/

2011-12-08