Lindows.com announced a dedicated web kiosk on Tuesday morning, intended to prevent users from accidentally making catastrophic changes to the machines. However, the new $169 WebStation also foregoes a hard drive, requiring a user to work with documents stored on the Web or on a floppy disk. Certain versions of Lindows.com’s new kiosk also seal the CD-ROM drive inside the case, preventing additional retail software from being added later.
Lindows Debuts Web Kiosk
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Eugenia Loli
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good job Lindows, they are certainly firming up their position in a niche market.
This could be a good choice for libraries, museums etc. where the users don’t have a need for changes. Combined with a local proxy-server, the computers don’t need to store the cache on local disk.
This could also be a good choice for parents with children. Most children will probably get around filters like CyberNanny etc., but with the WebStation they can’t change much.
Well, im impressed. This seems like a good idea, unlike a “pay-for” demo disc.
It runs the Lindows LiveCD, so it has full computer functionality. This is pretty cool, as “Mail Station” only does email, and is $100.
I may get one for my family.
I have LindowsCD and it’s a very quality OS. Combining this with a ultra-low-cost computer that can’t break or be messed up is a smart idea. I bet if you put most people in front of one of these for web browsing, they’d never know they weren’t on windows.
RF
Knoppix do the same and with LTSP I only need a network adapter.
Because Knoppix avoids any propriatary code, it does not…have Java, Flash, Real Audio, etc. Those are pretty important things for a “web station.”
I’ve tried LindowsCD and it streams most audio and video types beautifully. I was in awe.
Z
Another cool idea released by Lindows!
Sure… Knoppix can also do it, but the deal with the CD and the computer for just $169 is quite good imho!
I use LindowsOS (not the CD) everyday on one of my computers and it works like a charm when it comes to web things.
Another thing is that with Knoppix you dont get any support…with Lindows you get. Great for libraries and schools imo.
Even though you can’t change the software it is a great idea and schools never seem to mingle with the software, they just use whatever came with the computer.
This is perfect for internet cafes and schools! Finally a secure computer no more problems with viruses at school or corruptions etc. And I can finally bring in my homework ona flash drive or floppy and print ti or add/edit it at school or even work on projects and save some of my work. At my school they are afraid I will virus the computer and won’t let us bring anything. Yet since it runs from cd I can not harm it through a virus even if I tried.
In addition just imagine how easy it is to upgrade this baby!! All you do is buy another cd with an updated lindows or you can even put Knoppix on it right? Same kind of thing.
I just hope it will be fast enough from cd.
Really though this is a great idea, it means zero maintanance on the software side and no more installing a new os bla bla just put another cd.
Remember this is meant a s awebstation the kind you put in internet cafes so installing/removing software is no problem.
What would have been better though is a kind fo lock for the cd.