Illinois - Open Source Software

Re: Linux session control??

2007-12-10T23:04:30Z

I believe the software Howard County uses for their public PCs is Groovix. http://groovix.com/ I'm not 100% sure if this offers session control or not.

Re: A CD Packed with Open Source

2007-10-25T16:28:13Z

Yes, good point. It looks like this work has been taken up by a new organization though - http://theopendisc.com/

Interestingly, they now have 2 different versions - one for general use and one disc aimed at educational users.

Dale

Re: A CD Packed with Open Source

2007-10-25T16:22:09Z

This website is no longer valid.

Creative Commons LiveContent DVD for libraries

2007-10-11T22:20:30Z

Hey all--hoping this is a good place to post about this project I'm working on with Creative Commons. CC and Fedora are working on building a LiveDVD (same as a LiveCD in that it boots right off of the disc) that contains free, open source software and Creative Commons-licensed content. We're developing a version for libraries and want to get some suggestions and feedback on the process. The point of the project is to provide an informational tool for library patrons to learn more about open source software (and actually test it, in a safe environment) as well as provide a creative tool by including lots of open content that's licensed under CC. I've definitely got some more specific questions and would love to hear from people. The project also has a wiki page at http://creativecommons.org/projects/livecontent

Public Computer management

2007-09-14T13:48:20Z

We are in the process of creating a report for our IT department regarding various new options for Public Desktop computers. Right now we are on the general Windows platform but are willing to take serious look at some other options including open source. I was just curious to hear what some of you were using and how you are liking it.
Tara

Re: Open source virus protection software

2007-09-07T15:24:08Z

Yes, and that is something I shouldn't forget to mention in this context. However, I have heard of many libraries in the past having success with contacting Grisoft directly and asking for a donation of licenses for their library's computers.

Anyone out there who has tried that?

Dale

Re: Open source virus protection software

2007-09-06T22:04:23Z

After being asked to install AVG on a library computer, I checked the license agreement to verify compliance.
Per the license agreement (See: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/98 ) as viewed on September 6, 2007, installation of the software on a non home computer constitutes a violation of the license agreement.
Translation: Do not install the free version on library computers.

Wanting to be a helpful computer tech, I also checked into "avast!" (which I've used at home and Really like). The free avast! license agreement (See: http://www.avast.com/eng/free_virus_protectio.html ) states, "... avast! 4 Home Edition can only be used by home users...".
Translation: Do not install "avast! 4 Home Edition" on library computers.

-On to ClamWin & Winpooch -hoping to find that sweet library rate that the boss likes (i.e. Free).

Re: Using Gparted for hard drive partition manipulation

2007-08-01T23:59:52Z

Yes, Gparted is a fine tool Chris Peters at the Washington State Library wrote some nice <a href="../do/DisplayContent?id=13201">instructions for using it</a>.

Using Gparted for hard drive partition manipulation

2007-08-01T23:07:12Z

FYI: Gparted is another tool I've been using for manipulating hard drive partitions.

Here's a link to the sourceforge page...
http://gparted.sourceforge.net/livecd.php

You'll notice there that it's a GUI application.

I'm using the gparted-CloneZilla Live CD with success.

Re: Linux kiosk CDs not based on Knoppix? (I'm having NIC issues...)

2007-07-20T20:19:11Z

Some vendors do not provide Linux NIC drivers. Yet, there is a way to use the available Windows drivers from within Linux using ndiswrapper. I've been successful enabling what Dell calls their "Wireless 1370 WLAN Mini-PCI Card" (which is a Broadcomm device) using this method with a Dell Latitude D810.

Here's the link...
http://ndiswrapper.sourceforge.net/joomla/index.php

Re: Linux kiosk CDs not based on Knoppix? (I'm having NIC issues...)

2007-06-05T15:01:24Z

PCPAC is an open source project that supports easier, far more
cost efficient, more reliable and safer PACs. It is based on a full version of PCLinux2007 http://www.pclinuxos.com and so is easily modifiable, e.g. after changes to make a new CD of your changes, log on as root and enter
./mkcd

http://www.lccdigital.com/content/view/72/64/

I'm still coordinating the web stuff for
- my site above and http://www.lccdigital.com
- sourceforge http://www.sourceforge.dom/projects/pcpac
- Ibiblio.org for hosting downloads
http://distro.ibiblio.org/pub/linux/distributions/pcpac/

PCLinuxOS is getting pretty popular and has pretty good documentation for use, customizing and remastering.

If you give it a try I'd appreciate feedback.

Re: Koha Open Source Library System

2007-04-20T13:30:34Z

How I havve it in my mind (very untechnical) is that Koha "Classic" is for small /small-medium libraries, Koha with Zebra indexing /search engine - I think they call this version "Zoom" - is for medium-medium-large libraries and the Open ILS - Evergreen is for big libraries or consortiums.

Open ILS - Evergreen is being tested by King County (WA) - one of the largest (in terms of circulation) public library systems in the US.

Re: Koha Open Source Library System

2007-03-29T17:54:33Z

My library system is thinking of migrating from Horizon to an open source ILS. We've been looking at both Koha (http://www.koha.org/) and Evergreen a.k.a. Open-ILS (http://www.open-ils.org/). How would you compare these two?

Re: Open Source Software in Libraries

2007-02-27T14:43:53Z

Where might I find the results of the Nylink survey from last year?
thanks
Siobhan

Re: Timer logon software

2006-12-19T18:00:58Z

Thanks for the lead --it does look like the tool for the job!

"With Auto Shutdown Genius, you can automatically shutdown, power off, log off, lock workstation, hibernate, stand by or screen save your computers at schedule date and time, when the computer is idle or when excessive CPU usage."

It would be great to hear from someone who's used this product.

Re: Timer logon software

2006-12-19T17:54:37Z

I have no experience with this software but it seems to me it would do everything that you need:
<a href="http://www.download.com/3000-20-10604443.html?part=undefined&subj=dl&tag=button"><img src="http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/dl/dl-bta.gif" alt="Get it from CNET Download.com!" border="0"></a>

It's Freeware.

Timer logon software

2006-11-20T22:16:31Z

I am looking for open source software that library clients can use to load onto their home computers to control logon times of their children. Specifically, they want to control hours of the day and daily total time. I have had several inquiries about this lately. I know that there are internet filters like Net Nanny out theret that do much more than just logon timing. These programs also expire after 1 year and users can't see paying $40 per year for this when they only want a timer.

Re: Linux kiosk CDs not based on Knoppix? (I'm having NIC issues...)

2006-09-21T22:31:33Z

>The problem is that these NICs seem notoriously
> uncompliant with Knoppix - which looks like the only
> kernel that these kiosk CDs are based on.

A small correction: Knoppix is merely the name of a particular GNU\Linux distribution built around the Linux kernel. Granted, each distro rolls their own unique Linux kernel, but support for most mass-market NIC's, which would almost certainly include any recent Broadcom product, is usually part of any
major distro such as Knoppix or Fedora Core.

I would suggest compiling in support for your NIC from the vanilla kernel, then rolling the bzImage back into Knoppix. The 'make config' stage of a kernel compile will prompt you for inclusion\exclusion of various NIC drivers, and allows for fine tuning of networking parameters.

Re: Linux kiosk CDs not based on Knoppix? (I'm having NIC issues...)

2006-09-07T15:51:16Z

Tommy,

Could you post a reply with info on the Kiosk cd you are using such as where to get it, how to configure it, etc?

Thanks

Re: Star Wars Pit Droid - How can I save the 'droids??

2006-08-01T20:19:42Z

Wow, that's some interesting licensing... Not really even a per seat or installation license exactly - just based on the number of times you run the installation routine? I guess that explains why it was only $14.95.

So I assume that the installation file keeps track of how many times it has been used? And is it packaged into a single executable?

On the other hand. If you believe that you have the legal right to have the game installed on 5 computers (and from your original post, that seems to be your thinking), then purchasing a single copy on CD may still be the answer. Because while your downloadable version may be counting the number of times used, a CD version couldn't, unless it was phoning home at each installation.

Dale