Kiosk/Terminal Software

[Veon]

I want to put up an internet terminal in a place with a lot of foot traffic. I am looking for a software package that keeps the operating system persistent (you can restart the pc and it will go back to the default files/folders/settings). The kiosk software must also accept logins that are printed out beforehand, and log people out when they go over their time limit.

If possible it should just be windows xp/vista/7 or whatever, not a radically different interface, since I want to be able to upgrade the usuals like flash, java etc without hassle.

Anyone know of anything that is worth my time?

 

[Park@82]

(you can restart the pc and it will go back to the default files/folders/settings)

An XP embedded or WES Thin client terminal with a write filter enabled should give you this functionality.

The kiosk software must also accept logins that are printed out beforehand, and log people out when they go over their time limit.
If possible it should just be windows xp/vista/7 or whatever, not a radically different interface, since I want to be able to upgrade the usuals like flash, java etc without hassle.
Anyone know of anything that is worth my time?

Only thing I could think of is internet cafe software. I played with this a long time ago: http://www.jscafe.co.za/

 

[Veon]

What about windows steady state?

 

[riscbroker]

What about windows steady state?

That'll do the trick. I've been playing with it for while, you can customise a user profile pretty much exactly how you want it. Also blocks executables from USB sticks, white list websites etc etc

 

[Rate My ISP]

If possible it should just be windows xp/vista/7 or whatever, not a radically different interface, since I want to be able to upgrade the usuals like flash, java etc without hassle.

Just remember SteadyState does not run on Windows 7 (yet). Smartcape PC's run on Linux. And when I visit libraries I see many common urchins using it so I’m not quite sure what you mean by “radically different interface”.

But you will face a rather common dilemma: Windows Licence(s), or call in the proverbial ponytails if you don’t know Linux. If you are going with Windows as the operating system, then blend it with open source applications such as Open Office in case people want to type CV’s to E-mail off etc. This will shave a few grand off your overall cost.

If you want to build a nationwide franchise then long term it may be viable to call in the techies to tune and custom brand a Linux distro to work for you.

 

[Veon]

Just remember SteadyState does not run on Windows 7 (yet). Smartcape PC's run on Linux. And when I visit libraries I see many common urchins using it so I’m not quite sure what you mean by “radically different interface”.

But you will face a rather common dilemma: Windows Licence(s), or call in the proverbial ponytails if you don’t know Linux. If you are going with Windows as the operating system, then blend it with open source applications such as Open Office in case people want to type CV’s to E-mail off etc. This will shave a few grand off your overall cost.

If you want to build a nationwide franchise then long term it may be viable to call in the techies to tune and custom brand a Linux distro to work for you.

Dont care about windows 7. XP/Vista will be fine for now. I think I will buy a windows license the first time, and add open office. Linux will make sense later on if it is succesful, your right.

Thanks for the suggestions.