Userful

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Userful is a GNU/Linux multi-station software that combines a mixture of proprietary administrative tools with a modified Red Hat distribution and a GNOME desktop. [1]

Through this combined mixture, the result forms Userful Desktop: A hardware and software solution that creates as many as 10 workstation terminals from a single computer box.[2]

Contents

[edit] History

Current President and CEO, Timothy Griffin founded Userful Corporation in 1999. The company commenced work on a kernel-based approach to a multi-station platform computer, but later abandoned the idea due to a problem with multiple video card support.

After the release of Desktop Multiplier in 2002, Userful Corporation has focused primarily on public libraries for deployment. Userful is based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with a second office located in Victoria, BC, Canada.[1]

[edit] Releases

Current stable release consists of Userful Discoverstation 5-281, beta: Swordfish (282) and a Beta version 5.8-278 based on Fedora 8. The Beta includes Userful Discoverstation software that is currently under development. The Beta version uses Linux kernel version 2.6.24. [3]

[edit] Hardware, Software and Security

Userful PC Multiplier leverages off basic dual-head GPU technology and USB inputs to turn a monitor, keyboard and mouse into a complete workstation. The user has a range of environments to work in, all of which are fully customisable.

PC Multiplier comes as a set of installable packages for Linux or as a Live CD for non-Linux systems. It works with most graphics cards supported by X.Org/XFree86 and has been tested on most major distros running the 2.6 kernel, like Fedora Core, SLED, SuSE, Mandriva and Ubuntu.[4]

The hardware components comprised within Userful desktop is standard aside from the customizable administration tools. Standard Unix features and configuration options consist in the software and security model of Userful Desktop.

The benefit of ten user workstations linked through a single computer involves dual-head video cards and USB hubs. A keyboard including a USB mouse and monitor are accompanied with each user workstation, optionally including an external USB diskette drive. [3]

Userful's software can be customized through a Web portal that allows administrators to adjust literally hundreds of settings -- from putting a time limit on the computer's use, to privacy protectors that clean the computer when a person logs out. Settings and updates are automatically rolled out to every computer linked to the system. Usage reports allow administrators to see how the system is running as a whole or drill down to one individual station to see how it is being used.[5]

A strong selling point of Userful Desktop is the security. According to Userful Corporation’s CEO and President, Timothy Griffin, the system’s security foundation is GNU/Linux’s basic features: Strong user permissions, multiple-user login and Security Enhanced Linux (SE Linux).

To ensure precautionary safety measures, only the default kernel is in the boot menu, enabling the computer to boot only from the hard drive. A command line is not supplied on the desktop. Although disk and flash drives are automatically mounted on the desktop, this security risk is secured by limiting the time of login for each user and deleting the users’ home directories once log out occurs.[1]

[edit] Marketing

Userful Desktop is being marketed as a solution to reduce time and costs through administration. Other key features of Userful Desktop include its security functionality and friendliness to the environment, due to the dramatic reduction of computer systems required. [5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Userful GNU/Linux multi-station software suits general desktop users. Linux.com. Retrieved on April 23rd, 2008.
  2. ^ Userful.com. Userful.com. Retrieved on June 2nd, 2008.
  3. ^ a b Download DiscoverStation™ Free Trial. Userful.com. Retrieved on April 23rd, 2008.
  4. ^ James Bannan. "Turn one PC into two for free", apcmag.com, 2007-12-29. Retrieved on 2008-05-01. 
  5. ^ a b Sue Bowness. "Userful helps solve multiuser PC headaches", GlobeandMail.com, 2005-05-26. Retrieved on 2008-05-01.