| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Key people | Timothy Griffin (President and CEO) Alan McNaughton (VP and General Manager) Beverley Gallagher (VP Strategic Partnerships) Daniel Griffin (VP Multiplied Computing) |
| Employees | Approximately 40 |
| Website | www.userful.com |
Userful is a desktop virtualization company that develops software to create Linux-based remotely managed virtual desktops that enable up to 10 users to simultaneously share one computer. The company’s approach is similar to thin clients but promises better streaming video and audio performance at lower costs.[1] Userful, based in Calgary, Alberta is a privately held for-profit company with resellers.[2]
In February 2009, Userful announced what is claimed to be the world's largest desktop virtualization deployment, 356,800 virtual desktops in Brazil.[3]
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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. Initially a software development company, issues with the duplication and time consumption involved in setting up users on multiple computers, along with installing multiple programs for each computer, led to development of the one-step, multiseat computing technology that is the core Userful product, Userful Multiplier.[4] Userful's mission is to bring sustainable desktop computing to the world.[5]
Since the release of Desktop Multiplier in 2002, Userful Corporation has focused primarily on schools, public libraries, military, and oilfields for deployment. Userful is based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with a second office located in Victoria, BC, Canada.[6]
Since 2002, Userful has played an integral role in mass Linux adoption in schools with over 750,000 seats deployed worldwide in over 30,000 schools.[7] Key factors for Linux OS adoption in schools are that Linux is free, there is increased security with its usage, and that it supports free open source software. Some examples of governments who have started to switch from using proprietary operating systems to Linux include USA, Germany, Spain, France, Mexico amongst others.[8] A Linux-based multiseat solution, Userful Multiplier is compatible with a wide array of open source and free software [9] By supporting multiple student stations from one host computer, Userful Multiplier reduces hardware costs, and electricity use, in addition to the software cost savings of Linux and open source software.[10]
Shared resource computing has environmentally friendly benefits such as reducing electronic waste, lowering energy consumption, and reducing C02 emissions. Userful users saved over 200,000 tonnes of CO2 in 2009 through use of their multiseat software.[11]
Userful MultiSeat Linux 2011 is an Edubuntu OS based software bundle solution for schools that includes Userful MultiSeat shared resource computing software, as well as iTALC classroom computer management software. It is due for commercial release in Q4 2010 It leverages USB multiseat devices to turn a monitor, keyboard and mouse into a complete computer station. It supports HP T100, and MCT MWS 8820 USB multiseat devices. Edubuntu OS, comes with education applications for subjects including: Astronomy, Chemistry, Languages, Mathematics, and Planning, and more. A sneak preview of the product was released in July 2010,[12] and a beta version was released in November 2010.[13]
Userful Multiplier is a commercial Linux-based multiseat configuration software package developed by Userful. It allows multiple independent users to connect to a single host PC at the same time, each with their own monitor, keyboard, mouse, and applications. Depending on the hardware used, up to 10 fully operable, independent computer stations can run from a single computer. Userful Multiplier leverages off basic dual-head GPU technology and USB inputs to turn a monitor, keyboard and mouse into a complete computer station.[14] It works with most graphics cards supported by X.Org/XFree86 and has been tested on most major distributions, including Debian, Fedora, Mandriva Linux, SLED, SuSE and Ubuntu. Userful Multiplier is available in 64-bit and 32-bit packages in both RPM and DEB formats.[15]
Userful Desktop is a Linux-based multiseat operating system that combines a mixture of proprietary administrative tools, and a modified Red Hat distribution, with a GNOME desktop.[16] The product is specifically designed as a full public computing solution for kiosks and public access computers. Desktop settings are managed by session profiles which are created and stored through a central Web-portal. Some key features are time management, Internet filtering, privacy protection, automated clean-up, and print-job costing, as well as remote monitoring and an administration website. The software includes over 40 applications supporting over 30 languages. Userful Desktop is locked-down and tamper-proof. When a user logs off, the station is cleared of browser histories and downloaded files.[17]
Userful Desktop is delivered as a full solution, that includes software, web portal access, standard hardware, monitors, keyboards, mice, dual-head video cards and USB hubs with various options for further customization, such as including an external USB diskette drive.[18]
Userful Desktop can be described as a multi-station system, consisting of a system unit, with one or more stations attached, plus Userful Desktop system software. The result is a thin client application that creates as many as 10 station terminals from a single PC.[17]
Userful's software can be customized through a Web portal called Userful Manager that allows administrators to adjust 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.[19]
The system's foundation is 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 general security risk is secured by limiting the time of login for each user and deleting the users’ home directories once log out occurs. The system is claimed to be virus-free.[16]
Pre-Book is an open source PC reservation system consisting of both a Linux based server and Windows and Linux client management software.
The software enables enforcement of equitable time usage on publicly accessible computers. Key features include the ability to set up user grace periods, no-show penalties, holiday hours, and PAM authentication. Users are able to book time from remote locations as well as on the computers themselves. The client software is available for Windows as well as a multiseat locked-down Linux distro (Userful Desktop).[20]
Userful MultiSeat Linux 2011 and Userful Multiplier software are the Linux-based equivalents of Windows MultiPoint Server 2010 for multiseat solutions in the education sector.[21]