Userful
Encyclopedia
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 client
s but promises better streaming video and audio performance at lower costs.
Userful, based in Calgary, Alberta is a privately held for-profit company with resellers.
In February 2009, Userful announced what is claimed to be the world's largest desktop virtualization deployment, 356,800 virtual desktops in Brazil.
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.
in schools with over 750,000 seats deployed worldwide in over 30,000 schools. 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. A Linux-based multiseat
solution, Userful Multiplier is compatible with a wide array of open source and free software 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.
software.
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, and a beta version was released in November 2010.
-based multiseat
operating system
that combines a mixture of proprietary administrative tools, and a modified Red Hat
distribution, with a GNOME
desktop. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Server 2010 for multiseat solutions in the education sector.
Desktop virtualization
Desktop virtualization , as a concept, separates a personal computer desktop environment from a physical machine using the client–server model of computing....
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 client
Thin client
A thin client is a computer or a computer program which depends heavily on some other computer to fulfill its traditional computational roles. This stands in contrast to the traditional fat client, a computer designed to take on these roles by itself...
s but promises better streaming video and audio performance at lower costs.
Userful, based in Calgary, Alberta is a privately held for-profit company with resellers.
In February 2009, Userful announced what is claimed to be the world's largest desktop virtualization deployment, 356,800 virtual desktops in Brazil.
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. 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. Userful's mission is to bring sustainable desktop computing to the world.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.
Linux Adoption and Education
Since 2002, Userful has played an integral role in mass Linux adoptionLinux adoption
Linux adoption refers to new use of the Linux computer operating system by homes, organizations, companies, and governments, while Linux migration refers to the change from using other operating systems to using Linux....
in schools with over 750,000 seats deployed worldwide in over 30,000 schools. 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. A Linux-based multiseat
Multiseat
A multiseat, multi-station or multiterminal configuration is a single computer which supports multiple independent users at the same time...
solution, Userful Multiplier is compatible with a wide array of open source and free software 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.
Green Computing
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 multiseatMultiseat
A multiseat, multi-station or multiterminal configuration is a single computer which supports multiple independent users at the same time...
software.
Userful MultiSeat Linux 2011
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. EdubuntuEdubuntu
Edubuntu, also previously known as Ubuntu Education Edition, is an official derivative of the Ubuntu operating system designed for use in classrooms inside schools, homes and communities....
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, and a beta version was released in November 2010.
Userful Multiplier
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. 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.Userful Desktop
Userful Desktop is a LinuxLinux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
-based multiseat
Multiseat
A multiseat, multi-station or multiterminal configuration is a single computer which supports multiple independent users at the same time...
operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
that combines a mixture of proprietary administrative tools, and a modified Red Hat
Red Hat
Red Hat, Inc. is an S&P 500 company in the free and open source software sector, and a major Linux distribution vendor. Founded in 1993, Red Hat has its corporate headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina with satellite offices worldwide....
distribution, with a GNOME
GNOME
GNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software...
desktop. 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.
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.
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
Thin client
A thin client is a computer or a computer program which depends heavily on some other computer to fulfill its traditional computational roles. This stands in contrast to the traditional fat client, a computer designed to take on these roles by itself...
application that creates as many as 10 station terminals from a single PC.
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.
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.
Userful Pre-Book
Pre-Book is an open source PC reservation systemPC Reservation System
A PC reservation system is a system whereby publicly accessible computers can be reserved for a period of time. These systems are commonly used in facilities such as public libraries to ensure equitable use of limited numbers of computers. Bookings may be done over the Internet or within the...
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
Multiseat
A multiseat, multi-station or multiterminal configuration is a single computer which supports multiple independent users at the same time...
locked-down Linux distro (Userful Desktop).
Product Competitors
Userful MultiSeat Linux 2011 and Userful Multiplier software are the Linux-based equivalents of Windows MultiPointWindows MultiPoint
Windows MultiPoint Server is a Windows Server-based product that leverages Remote Desktop Services technology to enable multiple simultaneous independent computing stations or terminals to be connected to a single computer.-Windows MultiPoint Server 2010:...
Server 2010 for multiseat solutions in the education sector.