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

[Richard Wiggins]

I've watched this discussion with interest.  It seems that libraries are
searching for a role in this age of laptops and tablets and such.

In my opinion, the role of a public library is to provide access to
information.  It is not to be cool or current.  Therefore IMHO it is great
to provide Wi-Fi.  It is foolish to seek to provide the latest devices for
checkout.  Let the patrons bring their own devices, and provide them USB
power and a comfortable place to sit.  Offer an old-fashioned PC with
Internet access for those who lack fancy hand-held devices.  Leave them, as
it were, to their own devices.

As to content, I think that is a different discussion, but once again, the
role is basic access, not trying to be Best Buy on the fly.


On Wed, Dec 19, 2012 at 8:04 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
>

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2012-12-25
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