Live CD assignment, part 2
What's the most striking thing about using Gnoppix in the computer lab? It actually works, yay! (See previous post.)
And my assignment is worded thusly:
Libraries may encounter problems with some live CD software, such as with Ubuntu on G5s, as I discovered in this exercise. In addition, there are not many live CD distributions available for PPC architecture. Most libraries only provide PCs for public access computing, so these issues will not be relevant for them, but for libraries with Macs, especially older ones with PPC processors, running them from live CDs may be difficult. Fortunately, OS X is a more secure operating system than Windows, so the need to use live CDs for the sake of better security is not as pressing an issue. For libraries concerned only with live CDs for Intel or AMD processors, there are many choices available online, so if they encounter serious problems they can simply download a different ISO.
The benefits of using live CDs to run public computers in libraries are significant, as they protect the computers from both online malware and ill-intentioned patrons. However, there are also disadvantages. Computers boot very slowly from live CDs; the Gnoppix distribution I used took over three minutes. Obviously, a library using live CDs would have to be sure to have all the computers booted up before opening hours. Fortunately, while some applications (like the GIMP) also load rather slowly, most of them do load in an acceptable time period, so when people are actually using the computers, they will be reasonably fast.
Some live CD platforms are designed to be very similar to Windows, but even if the differences are small, the library may need to provide more help to patrons than for the Windows environment to which most are already accustomed. Windows-based live CDs exist, but are not sanctioned by Microsoft,(1) and most libraries will probably wish to steer clear of potential legal issues surrounding their use.
A possible strategy for a library considering switching to live CDs is to phase them in gradually, allowing both patrons and staff time to get used to them. It is also true that many people are curious about alternatives to Windows, and perhaps libraries should play a role in offering at least one Linux computer (and perhaps a Mac as well) for patrons to try out, even if the library as a whole continues using Windows. Personally, I quite liked Gnoppix when I tried it; there were several features (such as having two panels, with many customization options, or the desklets function) that I think many people would enjoy. When it comes to customization, of course, nothing is saved when working from a live CD, and patrons must recreate their preferred settings for every session. Still, this is not a disadvantage for public access computers, which are generally not supposed to be modified by the public; the whole point of using live CDs is to prevent any unauthorized changes to the computer, a role they play very well and in which they could be extremely useful to libraries.
(1)Wikipedia – Live CD. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LiveCD#Microsoft_Windows-based (Accessed: June 27, 2006.)
And my assignment is worded thusly:
Libraries may encounter problems with some live CD software, such as with Ubuntu on G5s, as I discovered in this exercise. In addition, there are not many live CD distributions available for PPC architecture. Most libraries only provide PCs for public access computing, so these issues will not be relevant for them, but for libraries with Macs, especially older ones with PPC processors, running them from live CDs may be difficult. Fortunately, OS X is a more secure operating system than Windows, so the need to use live CDs for the sake of better security is not as pressing an issue. For libraries concerned only with live CDs for Intel or AMD processors, there are many choices available online, so if they encounter serious problems they can simply download a different ISO.
The benefits of using live CDs to run public computers in libraries are significant, as they protect the computers from both online malware and ill-intentioned patrons. However, there are also disadvantages. Computers boot very slowly from live CDs; the Gnoppix distribution I used took over three minutes. Obviously, a library using live CDs would have to be sure to have all the computers booted up before opening hours. Fortunately, while some applications (like the GIMP) also load rather slowly, most of them do load in an acceptable time period, so when people are actually using the computers, they will be reasonably fast.
Some live CD platforms are designed to be very similar to Windows, but even if the differences are small, the library may need to provide more help to patrons than for the Windows environment to which most are already accustomed. Windows-based live CDs exist, but are not sanctioned by Microsoft,(1) and most libraries will probably wish to steer clear of potential legal issues surrounding their use.
A possible strategy for a library considering switching to live CDs is to phase them in gradually, allowing both patrons and staff time to get used to them. It is also true that many people are curious about alternatives to Windows, and perhaps libraries should play a role in offering at least one Linux computer (and perhaps a Mac as well) for patrons to try out, even if the library as a whole continues using Windows. Personally, I quite liked Gnoppix when I tried it; there were several features (such as having two panels, with many customization options, or the desklets function) that I think many people would enjoy. When it comes to customization, of course, nothing is saved when working from a live CD, and patrons must recreate their preferred settings for every session. Still, this is not a disadvantage for public access computers, which are generally not supposed to be modified by the public; the whole point of using live CDs is to prevent any unauthorized changes to the computer, a role they play very well and in which they could be extremely useful to libraries.
(1)Wikipedia – Live CD. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LiveCD#Microsoft_Windows-based (Accessed: June 27, 2006.)
posted by Lauralee | 12:28 PM
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