[12984] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Help: login/timeout control software
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Reference Librarian)
Fri Jun 25 20:01:56 1999
Date: Fri, 25 Jun 1999 14:25:42 -0600
From: Reference Librarian <ref@esper.com>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
Message-Id: <3773B974.5CEDB2A0@esper.com>
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----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Okay, I'm going to quit complaining for now and ask some questions. :-)
I'm looking into software options for controlling access to the public
computers. So far I have looked at CybraryN and WinU, and have read
literature about Web Manager by Winnebago. These seem to have their
differences in how they control access and what happens when a login
times out. I haven't done a complete network install or tried them out
on the public, so I have many questions about what kind of impact this
type of software might have on our procedures at a public desk.
We have a Meridian TNT CD-ROM server, 10bT ethernet LAN, Win95/98
clients. We are using Fortres and Ikiosk for security, and we are most
interested in a product that would replace both of these and add time
limits, use statistics and license metering, all in one. Wouldn't that
be nice! At the same time, it should be easy to maintain (for a system
with 16 branches and limited tech support staff).
I would love to hear from anyone who can share experience with this type
of software. Are there better packages out there than the three I've
mentioned? How well does the software that you use secure the desktop?
How easy is it to extend to a user more time? How well does it control
Internet downloads or file saves? Does it allow you to selectively lock
out software functions (like "Add Bookmark")? And procedurally, what
cans of worms do you have to deal with after installation? Our OPAC is
Sirsi Unicorn, and is not yet on the LAN, so forget about querying a
patron database. I imagine everyone logging into Windows anonymously,
hopefully forever. Therefore, tracking specific users is not an issue
for us right now, but we do want an elegant way to enforce our time
limits, especially on Netscape.
Feel free to answer me privately, and I will happily summarize to the
list.
TIA,
--Melissa J. Brenneman
Lawson McGhee Library
Knoxville, TN
ref@esper.com
