| Multi-user Linux turns one computer into ten |
Sep. 23, 2004
Targeting multi-user public computing environments, Userful enables a Linux PC to connect up to ten monitors, giving each user the experience of being connected to a standalone computer. Using Userful's "1-Box" approach, up to ten users can browse the Internet, send email, and run applications from one computer, with each user's monitor-based "workstation" behaving like an independent PC.
Useful's 1-Box strategy is intended to eliminate the need for a server to network individual PC's and other equipment, thus significantly reducing acquisition costs. Each user workstation consists of a standard PC monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
Emphasizing return on investment, Calgary-based Useful points to cost savings from software licensing and maintenance. The company reckons that a 3-year life cycle on a 100-user deployment can save organizations as much as US $90,000 in acquiring hardware, $90,000 in software expenses, and $100,000-200,000 per year in reduced software support and maintenance costs.
Useful's solutions are centrally managed, secure, limit user session length, use customizable Internet filtering, and provide usage statistics, the company says. The software includes OpenOffice,org, the Mozilla browser, and email, and supports 14 languages including Spanish, French, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. A single printer and scanner can be shared by all users.
The company's DiscoverStation system, which uses the 1-Box technology is a Linux-based solution that addresses challenges associated with public access computers such as preventing network misuse, protecting children online, assuring patron rights to privacy, reducing IT staff with network maintainance tools, and controlling costs. For example, if a patron buys something from an online vendor and forgets to log off, the next patron cannot assume the prior patron's identity and make unauthorized purchases using DiscoverStation.
Useful says its software is also environmentally friendly, in that it reduces the number of computer boxes required, which reduces power consumption and eventual requirements for disposal of unnecessary hardware. The company estimates that replacing ten PCs by a 1-Box and ten workstations can reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 2.5 tons per year.
Userful reports that libraries and tradeshows across North America are adopting 1-Box along with DiscoverStation Linux, which includes all the software applications and management tools required to transform a PC into a public computing workstation. Userful names Prince George Public Library, Coquitlam Library, Greater Victoria Public Library, and Windsor Public Library among its installations.
A free trial download of DiscoverStation is available here.
(Click here for further information)
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