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CODE4LIB  December 2008

CODE4LIB December 2008

Subject:

Re: Linux Public Computers - time and ticket reservation system

From:

Brent Ferguson <[log in to unmask]>

Reply-To:

Code for Libraries <[log in to unmask]>

Date:

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:45:36 -0500

Content-Type:

text/plain

Parts/Attachments:

Parts/Attachments

text/plain (70 lines)

Grand Rapids Public Library System (Kent District Library) in Michigan has done some type of time reservation thing in Linux, and other open source public you may want to check into..

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Code for Libraries on behalf of Darrell Eifert
Sent: Tue 12/30/2008 3:37 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [CODE4LIB] Linux Public Computers - time and ticket reservation system
 
Hi Folks --

Nicolaie Constantinescu recommended that I contact this list with my
questions after posting a query to the "Linux in Libraries" group. I
will be presenting an introduction to Desktop Linux at the New Hampshire
Library Association next year, and would like some help on answering a
question that is sure to arise from my prospective audience. Many
librarians are intrigued by the possibility of lowering IT costs and
maintenance time, especially for their public-use computers. Right now
however, there doesn't seem to be any open source versions of a
reservation / ticket system (such as the excellent WinXP "Time Limit
Manager" from Fortres) and a desktop security application such as Deep
Freeze. There are commercial options from Groovix or Userful, but that
pretty much defeats the practical goal of lowering IT costs, or the
ideological goal of moving to free and open-source applications.

All the 'bits and pieces' for a good reservation and security system
seem to be out there. Edubuntu gives us a LTSP solution with a central
server and the ability to see 'screenshots' of individual PCs if
necessary. CUPS gives a very fine-grained control over printing, and
perhaps can be modified to function as a print-upon-payment release
station. A MySQL / PhP module could handle generating and storing
random passwords / logins, while a small program to set folder
permissions may be able to lock down a Gnome or KDE desktop to prevent
users from changing icons, menus, or wallpaper. Web content filtering
is available from several sources if necessary. A browser-based central
server module might help to make the project "distro agnostic".

I think many small and medium-sized libraries would be much more likely
to consider the advantages of choosing Linux for their public-use
computers if a polished open-source reservation and printing control
system was available. In the world of commercial software, an
entrepreneur or company sees an opportunity, programs a solution, and
sells the product. On that model we have the afore mentioned "Time
Limit Manager" for XP (which we use here at the Lane Library and highly
recommend) at a one-time cost of only $20 per PC.

In the world of Linux and open-source software, how does one go about
getting a programmer or group of programmers to provide a free solution
(with regular maintenance and updates) to a pressing need? Would
Canonical (for example) be interested in creating the program as a way
to popularize Ubuntu with the thousands who use library computers every
day? Would anyone on this list be interested in spearheading such a
project? Is there a place to float such a project before a group of
up-and-coming programmers (Google Summer of Code??) that would give them
bragging rights on a resume?

Any ideas (including ideas on a basic programming framework or project
"how to") would be more than welcome ...

Cheers,

--
-------------------------------------
Darrell Eifert
Head of Adult Services
Lane Memorial Library, Hampton NH

"Beware the man of only one book"
Old Latin proverb

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