Giveaway of the Day Forums

1. 

   GMMan, Hexadecimal Blacksmith
   Blocked

   Here's a little Canadian product that I'd like to share with everyone. It's from a company called Userful and what they do is make software that splits your computer into two or more so that it can be used in libraries, schools, or Internet cafes. My local library uses them and I don't find them too bad. The performance isn't too bad even if people are working at the same time (it's timesharing all over again!). The product is called DiscoverStation and incorporates something called Desktop Multiplier. DiscoverStation is a full-blown Linux distribution based on Fedora, and Desktop Multiplier is a program for computers already running Linux. Right now, they're offering a Live CD for Windows users or a 2-user license for Linux users. The Live CD is pre-licensed and just requires you to insert the CD and reboot. The page with more details are at:
   http://userful.com/products/free-2-user
   (Note for you McAfee SiteAdvisor users: the site seems to be rated red because one of their programs seems to have a trojan in it. I guess that the code might need to have some trojan-like functionalities to actually work properly. However, that has nothing to do with this product and everything else is clean.)

   You will need a dual-head (or two) graphic cards, two monitors, two keyboards, and two mice. You can also have one of each just to get the feeling of the system, but that may be pointless.

   WARNING: In case you decide to download and install DiscoverStation (no, not Desktop Multiplier, the separate app for Linux, but the full Fedora distribution), make sure you really want it, because once you insert the CD, reboot, and type install, once it boot up it will FORMAT YOUR HARD DRIVE!!! So be sure to back up your system before you do this. It happened to me, but good thing I found out a good utility to restore deleted partitions and my Windows CD and some DOS (more Linux, really) skills. So, be careful. Do note that the Live CD is only a Live CD, so it won't change your system in any way, so it's safe.

   While you're there, visit kiosk.userful.com. They have an offer there to ship you a copy of the DiscoverStation DVD and two free prepaid kiosk cards. Get it while you can; 100 copies available only. I still haven't received mine yet...

   Posted 16 years ago #
2. 

   k8UndeadFox
   Member

   Maybe I'm thick but what exactly does this do and in what circumstances would you use it? You're saying it splits a computer in 2 but then you need 2 of everything.... I don't understand :-(

   K8

   Posted 16 years ago #
3. 

   GMMan, Hexadecimal Blacksmith
   Blocked

   Look on their site. They suggest that in case relatives, friends, or other visitors come along, they can use your computer without messing up your installation. (At least, that's what they said about the Live CD for Windows users) And yes, you do need two of everything, because it's impossible having two users on a local computer using it at the same time and doing different stuff without using two of everything. In case you are one of those "visual" people, go on their main site userful.com and there will be a Dotto Tech clip showing how the system works.

   Posted 16 years ago #
4. 

   goodgotd
   Member

   two sets of input (mouse, kb) and 2 monitors.

   Posted 16 years ago #
5. 

   lmilesw
   Member

   There is another product called Fiddlehead that shares one PC with multiple users but instead of only Linux applications it allows for Windows apps. You can see this product at http://www.myfiddlehead.com and they have a blog at http://www.myfiddlehead.com/blog

   Posted 14 years ago #

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