Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with kiosk

How would you set-up internet computers for public commercial use?

humannaire — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:53:19 -0800

Software solutions for setting up an internet cafe/kiosk computers? To set-up a network of 2-4 computers, as well as a entirely separate one of 7-10.

They both must be Windows-based and low-maintenance.

(I saw there was previously this on the subject here, but that thread is over three years old, and imaginably there are new/better solutions.)

Suggestions? Recommendations?

Linux distro or software for full-screen kiosk slideshow?

odinsdream — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:13:38 -0800

Linux software or distribution for running a kiosk-type slideshow screen? You've seen them in doctors offices and sometimes restaurants. They're typically used for advertisements. I've been tasked with creating a screen that can show variable information with little to no user interaction, but I don't want to reinvent the wheel.

Is there some software that will easily allow me to hook up a Linux box to a screen, is easy to update remotely, and will cycle through a variety of media in a fullscreen display?

I'd like to potentially display various picture formats, HTML, perhaps videos, RSS feeds, etc.

Surely someone has done the legwork on this already? If not, I considered creating a website with meta-refreshes between each page, then loading a full-screen browser on the kiosk computer and pointing it to the site. This would allow me to handle the updates on the web server.

How do we bring daily news to staff without computers?

Milkman Dan — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:06:16 -0800

Our organization uses the Intranet to keep staff informed. 40% of our employees don't use computers in their daily job. How do we bring the Intranet to them? Our organization relies on a custom-built Intranet to communicate all our important announcements, and provide key tools and documents. Admin staff are covered, but maintenance staff, kitchen workers and retail clerks (comprising 40% of the organization) have no computers, and thus no access to the Intranet. However, they need to be kept in the loop.

What’s the best way to do this? Freestanding computer kiosks? Adapt the week’s news to a looping powerpoint presentation, broadcast on wall-mounted TVs? We’re a non-profit – what’s going to be the most affordable way to do this?

Does anyone know if there's any good software to turn a mac into a news display kiosk? Nobody will actually interact with the computer -- the contents will dynamically update via the internet (RSS/other).

evanm — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:41:08 -0800

Does anyone know if there's any good software to turn a mac into a news display kiosk? Nobody will actually interact with the computer -- the contents will dynamically update via the internet (RSS/other). I want something similar to http://online-news-screensaver.michael-sablin.qarchive.org/ but works on the mac. Something that displays news, maybe weather, in an elegant way. Similar to how "The coffee bean and tea leaf" has that plasma in its LA coffee shops...

Can I borrow your United confirmation number?

pmbuko — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:53:28 -0800

Can I borrow your United confirmation number and last name for your flight departing within 24 hours? I am modifying a boarding pass kiosk for our conference facility that allows attendees to print boarding passes before departing for the airport. basically, it's a web kiosk with links to the online check-in pages or airlines flying out of our local airport. United passengers have trouble printing their boarding passes because the obvious method of printing the passes (the big print icon) doesn't work with our setup. Attendees must instead click a non-obvious link to display the boarding pass in a separate window before printing.

I'm writing up an instruction page for United passengers that will appear before they are taken to the United online check-in page, but in order to do it well, I need run through all the necessary steps myself and take detailed notes/screenshots/etc. Nobody I know is booked for travel on United in the next 24 hours (the window the online check-in page requires), so I thought I'd ask here. I realize this is a huge long shot due to privacy concerns, but it never hurts to ask.

If you can trust me with your info, please send it to the email in my profile.

How to lock Firefox in fullscreen mode?

deansfurniture5 — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 17:30:00 -0800

How can I lock Firefox open in fullscreen mode so that unless you do some hotkey, no one can get at anything else (including Ctrl-Alt-Del and Alt-Tab) Alright, so I'm creating a "kiosk" type of thing for my uncle's store, and I'm basically just creating a web page to run locally on his machine. What I want to do is be able to have Firefox run on Fullscreen (F11) mode, but I'm worried someone's going to just minimize the window and poke around Windows. Any suggestions?

To keep it simple for my uncle, the solution has to be Windows based.

How to use Party Shuffle... at a real party, with real drunken idiots

skylar — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 01:55:15 -0800

Is there any way to lock the iTunes "Party Shuffle" function into some kind of kiosk mode? So that drunken revellers can have some influence, but not do too much damage? This can be either on Windows or Mac and I'm happy to use third party add-ons or play with the system settings, but iTunes would have to be the main software. (I guess something that looked and functioned almost exactly like iTunes would be okay, but many people are familiar with iTunes.)

Kiosk and wayfinding design specialists! What is unique to your task that does not overlap with web UI and Interaction design?

safetyfork — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 08:14:32 -0800

Design for Kiosks / Interactive wayfinding systems. What are the unique factors to consider? I've been asked to design for a wall-mounted interactive wayfinding system that will include a staff directory, building maps, etc. Basically, I have the weekend to complete the project and am short on time for researching whatever conditions or factors that are unique to kiosk / wayfinding systems that I might not have encountered in my web UI and interaction design experience.

In addition to whatever you might be able to tell me, pointers to online resources are appreciated. (Most of my searches have turned up consulting and sales sites or overly general UI / Interaction design primers). Books specific to the task may be nice for future projects of this sort, but are probably not as helpful for this weekend.

Thanks in advance!

How best to secure a kiosk monitor

O9scar — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 16:36:14 -0800

Best choice for securing a monitor in a kiosk setting... For my design BFA show I am installing an interactive kiosk in an art/multipurpose space. The machine will be a concealed Powerbook (with a security cable). I was going to use my Apple 17" flat-panel on a shelf with some kind of lockable cable running through the stand. When I found it was $100 just to get a DVI-ADC converter I balked.

A fellow student graciously offered the loan of a Samsung Syncmaster 191T. Now I could put it on a shelf and cable-lock it, but then I realized a VESA wall mount is an option as well. Are there secure VESA mounts? It doesn't have to be bulletproof, but a reasonable deterrent at least.

Any suggestions on which way to go? If anyone has brand/store recommendations, those are also welcome.

Kiosk browser recommendations?

frykitty — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 09:03:33 -0800

Looking for secure kiosk browser software. Here at work we have a touch-screen kiosk in the lobby. We must limit it to reaching just a few specific websites, and it must be very well locked down--we show only the top toolbar with printing and a few nav buttons. We are currently using Public Web Browser, but it doesn't always behave as we'd like.

We can run it on Linux or Windows, we'd love something open source (but that's not a requirement), and reasonably priced.

Ack! Gah! My boss wants me to find a one of those kiosk film developing units!

Livewire Confusion — Mon, 08 Aug 2005 12:51:59 -0800

Ack! Gah! My boss wants me to find a one of those kiosk film developing units that Boots and the like have for the Internet cafe I work at. He wants to lease one. My google fu fails me. Oh, by the way we are located in Co. Cork, Ireland. So I need a company located somewhere on the isle who will service Cork. THANKS!