SOFTWARE REVIEW:
Using WINSelect Kiosk Software in the Library ClassroomWhat is kiosk software?Kiosk software is a security program that allows users to access only those hyperlinks listed on the kiosk home page. It prevents unauthorized access to computer systems and web sites that are not designated, and it allows the administrator/instructor to decide exactly which programs the user will be able to access. No longer visible are the typical browser buttons, location box, and pull-down menus, and this software locks out the desktop, the taskbar, and the drive controls. In essence, it effectively disables every escape route, thereby limiting the use of the computer to specific functions while the kiosk program is turned on.Why use it in the library classroom?Have you ever taught a library class and noticed students checking their e-mail or surfing the web while you are talking? Have you ever started your class, only to find that students in a previous class have left the computers in a state of la-la land? Would you like to spend less time resetting each machine and practically no time worrying whether you will be able to reset the machines? Kiosk software might be for you.Using kiosk software at Booth LibraryWINSelect kiosk software protects the 20 Technology Teaching Facility workstations and the Reference Services public workstations at Eastern Illinois University's Booth Library. We've designed the kiosk home page to display clickable buttons accessing our collection of electronic resources, including the online library catalog and article indexes.During teaching situations when you want the students to be able to freely browse the web, you won't want the kiosk homepage to be turned on. The primary reason we prefer WINSelect is for the ease with which it may be turned on and off without rebooting the computer . Other programs we tried required a computer restart to turn off, then a restart to turn back on (very annoying!). The WINselect program is always automatically on when you restart. WINSelect version 3.0 works only with Netscape 3.1 or earlier, although an upgrade making it compatible with Netscape 4.0 is expected this spring. Another negative is that the current version of WINSelect doesn't recognize all the menu features of Netscape 3.0. Consequently, while the mail feature is blocked out, the news and the history files aren't. This isn't much of a problem at Booth Library since few of the students try to use these unblocked features. Can I try it out first?As with several other kiosk software products, you may download a free trial version of WINSelect to see if you like it. For 60-day free-trial information and pricing, visit http://www.winselect.com where you will also find their product overview and details about its control features.Barbara L. Cressman is Assistant Head, Circulation Services, Booth Library, Eastern Illinois University. E-mail: cfblc@eiu.edu |