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I originally sent this only to K'Lyn (although I slightly modified
it since then), but perhaps others of you would be interested.<br>
<br>
While I haven't used Userful (although I've been impressed with
them), my last library in Coos County used home-rolled Linux
desktops, and I'm migrating Hood River over to them, too. I'd never
go back to Windows or Mac OS. They're so much easier in terms of
security, and you're able to get so much more out of the machine in
terms of speed and features. I'd highly recommend it. In case you're
curious, a colleague and I presented on using Linux on public
computers a few years ago at Online Northwest. It speaks a bit to
pros and cons. Here are the slides:<br>
<a href="http://www.slideshare.net/nbpl/linux-desktops">http://www.slideshare.net/nbpl/linux-desktops</a><br>
<br>
For what it's worth, Coos County uses <a
href="http://www.ubuntu.com/">Ubuntu</a>, and Hood River is going
to be using <a href="http://linuxmint.com/">Linux Mint</a> (which
is related to Ubuntu). Userful uses a different distribution called
<a href="http://fedoraproject.org/">Fedora</a>. All three are very
nice, stable, and fast dsitributions of Linux.<br>
<br>
We chose not to go with Userful not because they have a bad product.
Quite to the contrary, it's nice and well-thought out. Instead, we
just wanted to be able to alter the suite of software and the
overall computing environment more than they were currently
offering. Still, they are well worth looking into.<br>
<br>
We use a time management software called Libki ( <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://libki.org/">http://libki.org/</a>).
It's simple right now (only time tracking currently), but is
improving continually.<br>
<br>
Please let me know if you have other questions.<br>
<br>
Cheers!<br>
Buzzy Nielsen<br>
<div class="moz-signature"><br>
************************************<br>
Library Director<br>
Hood River County Library District<br>
502 State St<br>
Hood River, OR 97031<br>
541-387-7062<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://hoodriverlibrary.org">http://hoodriverlibrary.org</a><br>
<br>
</div>
<br>
On 02/01/2012 12:10 PM, Diedre Conkling wrote:
<blockquote
cite="mid:CAF-idW68KTjHR18Ni_KPNRvMvCoqJR4TX18kGh4YsGCXCPQKnA@mail.gmail.com"
type="cite">
<div>The Siletz Public Library has 2 of the multi-station
computers from Userful and they are working great. I think they
cost a little more at start-up but over time they are not too
expensive. We haven't had any problems which were not addressed
very quickly and through their remote access. This means staff
does not have to spend much time with the computers upgrading or
troubleshooting. We also don't need to pay for technical help,
which is great since we do not have an IT person on staff.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The staff really like the way they can remotely manage the
stations from the Circulation Desk. They had not had a system
that would time out users before but this is just part of the
Userful package. They also like that they can set the computers
to shut down a little before closing time. I think there might
be an additional cost to have patrons sign-on to the computers
using a library card and pin number but we did not have a use
for this so I am not sure.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>We don't reserve computers ahead of time anymore. We did for
awhile but it has worked better for the staff and patrons just
to have a first come/first served situation. With the computers
automatically timing out at the end of an hour (the amount of
time we give users but this can be adjusted) we have been able
to quickly accommodate 99% or more of our users quickly and
efficiently.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Here is some information from the Userful manual, <a
moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://support.userful.com/wiki/index.php/Manuals/UD/Remote_Monitoring_%26_Control_User_Guide">http://support.userful.com/wiki/index.php/Manuals/UD/Remote_Monitoring_%26_Control_User_Guide</a>.<br>
</div>
<div>I know that I am not fully addressing your questions but
maybe this information will help.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Feb 1, 2012 at 11:51 AM, K'Lyn
Hann <span dir="ltr"><<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="mailto:klyn.hann@newbergoregon.gov">klyn.hann@newbergoregon.gov</a>></span>
wrote:<br>
</div>
<br>
<br clear="all">
<br>
-- <br>
<div><em><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans
MS";font-size:10pt">Diedre Conkling</span></em><i><span
style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS";font-size:10pt"><br>
<em><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Lincoln
County Library District</span></em><br>
<em><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">P.O.
Box 2027</span></em><br>
<em><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Newport,
OR 97365</span></em><br>
<em><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Phone
& Fax: 541-265-3066</span></em><br>
<em><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Work
email</span></em></span></i><em><span
style="font-family:"Comic Sans
MS";font-size:10pt;font-style:normal">: </span></em><a
moz-do-not-send="true"
href="mailto:diedre@lincolncolibrarydist.org" target="_blank"><i><span
style="font-family:"Comic Sans
MS";font-size:10pt"><font color="#0000ff">diedre@lincolncolibrarydist.org</font></span></i></a><i><span
style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS";font-size:10pt"><br>
<em><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">Home
email: </span></em></span></i><a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="mailto:diedre08@gmail.com" target="_blank"><em><span
style="color:blue;font-family:"Comic Sans
MS";font-size:10pt">diedre08@gmail.com</span></em></a></div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<h6>
<div><a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/WAR-IS-OBSOLETE/297916183027"
target="_blank"><font color="#3b5998">WAR IS OBSOLETE</font></a></div>
<span>Holding resentment is like eating poison and waiting for
the other person to keel over. - Unknown Author</span></h6>
<span style="font-family:"Comic Sans
MS";font-size:10pt"></span></div>
<br>
<br>
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