[12987] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: Help login/timeout control softward
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Public-Access Computer Systems For)
Mon Jun 28 20:07:23 1999
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 13:57:43 -0600
From: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <LIBPACS@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
Message-Id: <0FE100E4SWRRVL@Post-Office.UH.EDU>
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2 Messages; 74 Lines
*-----
From: delbanre <delbanre@sunynassau.edu>
Subject: RE: Help: login/timeout control software
Quit using PC's and switch to a network computer/thin client network..You have
much more control of security since all processing is done on a server, not
the client station. See Microsoft's(NT terminal server),Citrix's, IBM's,
Wyse's, Tectronix's web sites. Thin client is definitely the way to go for
public web, catalog and database stations. If there is a way to abuse a PC,
some patron will find a way to do it.
>===== Original Message From Reference Librarian <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
>
>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
*-----
From: Geoff Baldwin <GBaldwin@fenwood.co.uk>
Subject: RE: Help: login/timeout control software
Melissa
You should look at the Pharos suite of software - network, resource and
printer control, management and charging(optional) are its' forte!
go to http://www.pharos.com
> Best Regards
> Geoff Baldwin
> Marketing and Sales Director
>
> Fenwood Systems
> The Centre for Resource Management
> CDROM Network Management Library Automation
> Knowledge Management
> Document and Records Management
> Printer and Network Resource Management
>
