... and one for all

This is an exploration into Linux as a 'kiosk' platform. With kiosk, I mean a computer running unattended, e.g. at an exhibition, showing a presentation or a video. It could also be a computer running just a web browser, to be used in internet cafe's, public libraries, or for the public in airports, major bus terminals, shopping malls etc.

Often, kiosk system follow some sort of lockdown or hardening scenario. As a member of the Unix family, linux is also suited for server based sollutions. This means you only have to configure a server, and multiple workstations will connect to it and use its applications. This greatly simplifies the configuration and hardening tasks of multiple workstations, and makes adding additional workstations virtually effortless.

here are some ideas :

• Xorg Multi-seat : a multi-headed server with graphical terminals : exporting a server display. In this article, the configuration is build on USB and multiple video cards, but a similar result can be achieved over a TCP/IP network
• Server-based computing and remote desktops
• edubuntu : an Ubuntu implementation of TLSP, the Linux Terminal Server Project. The clean and easy look and feel of Ubuntu, beefed up with extra educational applications, and combined with the power of server-based computing.