tablets come with spyware / was: [WEB4LIB] Low-Cost Prototype OPAC System

[Christian Pietsch]

Hi Cary,

interesting point! Unfortunately, using an Android or iOS tablet as a public
terminal is probably illegal in many countries, including all EU countries --
for valid reasons. The problem is that Google/Apple as well as many app
creators collect personal information from users.

In return for getting tablets at a subsidized price (the regular price),
libraries offering such tablets to their users would automatically hand over
detailed information about their users without their consent. Installing
spyware-free operating systems and software may be a way out. Firefox OS
(formerly Boot2Gecko) comes to mind. Are there other alternatives that run on
current tablets?

Don't get me started on e-book readers. Libraries lending them to patrons may
already aid and abet data crime/spying:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304870304577490950051438304.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2012/jul/05/e-reader-spying-big-deal

Cheers,
Christian


On Tue, Dec 18, 2012 at 03:52:34PM -0800, Cary Gordon wrote:
> That said, I think that taking this approach to building a kiosk,
> while it might be fun, is not all that efficient. My first choice
> would be an android tablet. You can buy a name brand 10" android
> tablet for about $200 and an off-brand for about $150 (thinking
> WalMart).
> 
> I can't imagine putting together a package like that using an SBC for
> that price. Just the monitor would be more than that.


-- 
  Christian Pietsch <http://purl.org/net/pietsch>                                                                                                                                     
  LibTec (Library Technology and Knowledge Management),                                                                                                                               
  Bielefeld University Library, Bielefeld, Germany                                                                                                                                    

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2012-12-19