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

[McLaughlin, David]

Agreed - the parental controls on iOS (and I'm assuming Android) are a simple way to set up a tablet in kiosk mode, not allowing a user to exit the app, etc, if that's what you're trying to accomplish.

Thanks,
Dave

-- 
Dave McLaughlin
Web Services Manager
Harford County Public Library
1221-A Brass Mill Road
Belcamp, MD 21017
410-273-5600 x2274
mclaughlind at hcplonline.org

On Dec 19, 2012, at 11:39 AM, Alisak Sanavongsay <asanavongsay at UCMERCED.EDU>
 wrote:

> Also, If you don't want to jailbreak or root your device, many of the newer iOS and Android devices now come with 'parental controls' which allow you to restrict access to apps and settings. There are also third-party apps (especially on Android) that let you control access to apps and settings.
> 
> Regards,
> Alisak.
> 
> Alisak Sanavongsay  Digital Assets Programmer  UC Merced Library  asanavongsay at ucmerced.edu
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Dec 19, 2012, at 8:29 AM, Cary Gordon <listuser at CHILLCO.COM> wrote:
> 
>> Not a problem. jailbreak it, if necessary, and run whatever you want.
>> 
>> Cary
>> 
>> On Wed, Dec 19, 2012 at 5:04 AM, Christian Pietsch
>> <chr.pietsch+web4lib at googlemail.com> wrote:
>>> 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
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -- 
>> Cary Gordon
>> The Cherry Hill Company
>> http://chillco.com
>> 
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>> 2012-12-19
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2012-12-19