Re: [PLUG] (OT) Philadelphia Wireless

[Kyle Winfree <kyle.winfree@gmail.com>]

So at what point is someone on the list going to say "I (or the
company I work for) will donate the machines if other plug members
donate thier time?"

--
"May the best of your todays be the worst of your tomorrows."

On May 20, 2010, at 7:48 AM, Art Alexion <art.alexion@gmail.com> wrote:

> On Wednesday 19 May 2010 12:20:39 Mike Leone wrote:
>> Because of ...
>>
>>> Machine Cost?
>>
>> That's usually why.
>>
>> My GF is a computer lab librarian. They use software like
>> SteadyState or
>> Fortres as guardian/lockdown software, which is Windows-based. They
>> also
>> get grants from the Gates Foundation. You can draw your own
>> conclusions.
>> :-)
>>
>> Also, they use the PCs for training - she's always giving into
>> classes
>> (I mean, REAL intro classes - this is a mouse. Here's how you move
>> one.
>> etc). And she also gives classes on things like Word - here's how to
>> make a resume, send a job letter, etc. because that's what still
>> wanted
>> most - at least some exposure to MS office software, which is still
>> ubiquitous.
>>
>> These are usually folks who can't afford computers for themselves,
>> and
>> so have never used one, except for ones at the libraries. And as
>> you may
>> imagine, the libraries aren't exactly overflowing with money for
>> lots of
>> PCs ...
>>
>>> free). Or at least have some Linux machines available for those that
>>> don't mind using it.
>>
>> So buy some machines, and donate them to the library of your
>> choice, and
>> specify they use Linux only with them. Then the library will have
>> some. LOL
>>
>> (while I said that sarcastically, that is how many libraries get
>> PCs -
>> donations)
>
> We have been looking into what VMWare used to call VDI, now View to
> replace
> shared desktops which tend to get trashed.  They can serve Windows
> or Linux
> desktops, with non-persistent images.  That is, every time a user
> logs in,
> they get a fresh desktop.  There is some pretty durable, but cheap,
> hardware
> out there as well.
>
> This should be the future of libraries as it cuts down on
> maintenance costs
> while providing a choice of platforms.  This isn't likely to get
> there via the
> type of donations Mike mentions, but a worthy grant from a
> foundation or from
> the hardware and software vendors.
>
> --
> Art Alexion
> ___________________________________________________________________________


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