this post was submitted on 15 Oct 2023
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Is there a Linux based OS for public computers, such as at a library or a PC cafe? (lemmy.blahaj.zone)
submitted 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) by queue@lemmy.blahaj.zone to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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Title. Mainly asking for the library side, but PC cafe is also interesting to ask about.

Mainly since Windows 11 is 64-bit only, and it seems Windows 12 is going to subscription based on top of that, neither of which public libraries can afford tossing out computers and paying more in subscription fees than they make with overdue books.

My local library is only open for 2 days a week, due to a lack of funds for hiring more staff in the area. They use older Dell all in ones, and that just makes me think if they don't have the money for being open 5 days a week, they don't have the money to buy 4 new computers for the space.

Not even getting into the bigger libraries part of that system or the ones nearby. Some have 8 computers in groups, with 4 stations of groups.

So I was just wondering, if anyone has started or is aware of a Library/Public Computer focused linux-based OS? Perhaps one that allows immutable systems, and the library card system backed most use to enable end user access. Perhaps that's a config file tucked away somewhere.

And I guess the PC cafe OS is interesting, simply due to the fact that Linux gaming has been making huge strides, and PC cafes are still popular in Japan, Korea, and China.

EDIT: I am not in control or assistance to the library, just looking if there's a potential solution to libraries like mine. If I could give links to a library computer manager, or if I could give upstream bug reports to people making such software.

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[–] hedgehogging_the_bed@lemmy.world 42 points 2 years ago (19 children)

As a librarian this is an awesome idea but unlikely to work out long term for a couple of reasons relating to the libraries.

  1. Patrons will absolutely freak out if the computer they sit down at doesn't look like the Windows machine they are expecting. Even the time-keeping software we use makes people uncomfortable and it's just a countdown clock for the 30 minutes they signed up for. I've had a very expensive Mac desktop for art and music software go totally unused for years because most patrons want a Windows computer to check their Hotmail. Librarian sobs

  2. Unless the library 'technologist" or IT team is already really into Linux in their off time AND paid well enough to bring that experience with them to the office, the people tasked with keeping it running will fail within 6 months and revert it back to something they can fix fast. Generally there's one IT department that's handing the libraries and other government run service offices and they will not take the time to do anything out of the ordinary.

Maybe for a subset of computers in a large library like the stand-up quick access stations or catalog lookup computers near the books. Linux can and does a lot of good keeping these one-use stations going despite the fact the run on 1998 Dell Potatoes.

[–] erwan@lemmy.ml 23 points 2 years ago (1 children)

In my experience as soon as they get a web browser, people don't care. Most people are lost when they have to deal with the file manager on Windows anyway...

[–] flashgnash@lemm.ee 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Problem is people are really sensitive to change

We see it as "oh just open the browser and it's the same" they see a foreign system, different icons, UI elements, etc and panic

We've got the biased viewpoint of people who know computers well enough not to be afraid of breaking something by clicking the wrong button

I imagine if you put a windows skin on KDE or something to make everything look the same they wouldn't even notice though

[–] erwan@lemmy.ml 4 points 2 years ago

My experience with "real" people is that they don't even see the difference. Only so-called "Windows power users" are annoyed.

I got my mother a Chromebook and she used it for years, even tried to explain her it was not the same as her previous Windows PC she never understood it was not the same.

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