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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Is there a Linux based OS for public computers, such as at a library or a PC cafe? (lemmy.blahaj.zone)

submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Title. Mainly asking for the library side, but PC cafe is also interesting to ask about.

Mainly since Windows 11 is 64-bit only, and it seems Windows 12 is going to subscription based on top of that, neither of which public libraries can afford tossing out computers and paying more in subscription fees than they make with overdue books.

My local library is only open for 2 days a week, due to a lack of funds for hiring more staff in the area. They use older Dell all in ones, and that just makes me think if they don't have the money for being open 5 days a week, they don't have the money to buy 4 new computers for the space.

Not even getting into the bigger libraries part of that system or the ones nearby. Some have 8 computers in groups, with 4 stations of groups.

So I was just wondering, if anyone has started or is aware of a Library/Public Computer focused linux-based OS? Perhaps one that allows immutable systems, and the library card system backed most use to enable end user access. Perhaps that's a config file tucked away somewhere.

And I guess the PC cafe OS is interesting, simply due to the fact that Linux gaming has been making huge strides, and PC cafes are still popular in Japan, Korea, and China.

EDIT: I am not in control or assistance to the library, just looking if there's a potential solution to libraries like mine. If I could give links to a library computer manager, or if I could give upstream bug reports to people making such software.

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[–] hedgehogging_the_bed 47 points 8 months ago (20 children)

As a librarian this is an awesome idea but unlikely to work out long term for a couple of reasons relating to the libraries.

Patrons will absolutely freak out if the computer they sit down at doesn't look like the Windows machine they are expecting. Even the time-keeping software we use makes people uncomfortable and it's just a countdown clock for the 30 minutes they signed up for. I've had a very expensive Mac desktop for art and music software go totally unused for years because most patrons want a Windows computer to check their Hotmail. Librarian sobs
Unless the library 'technologist" or IT team is already really into Linux in their off time AND paid well enough to bring that experience with them to the office, the people tasked with keeping it running will fail within 6 months and revert it back to something they can fix fast. Generally there's one IT department that's handing the libraries and other government run service offices and they will not take the time to do anything out of the ordinary.

Maybe for a subset of computers in a large library like the stand-up quick access stations or catalog lookup computers near the books. Linux can and does a lot of good keeping these one-use stations going despite the fact the run on 1998 Dell Potatoes.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (4 children)

Sorry, but definitely not true.

Source: See my comment regarding the majority of danish municipalities using Linux. No problem for the users or the people doing the sysadmin work.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (3 children)

Do you really think that's the case for the rest of the world? Like some town in Missouri follows what the Denmark municipal library system uses?

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation spent a lot of time and money putting Windows computers in many libraries and schools around North America in the '90s and '00s.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

That would be my guess, yes. Why would the danish librians and users in libraries differ from other places? We're talking ordinary people with an average in computer knowledge in cities and libraries of all sizes.

Being a dane you have to explain the Missouri reference. If you mean something like small cities, see above.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

That wasn't a reference, that was a rhetorical question. Do you really need it spelled out how a small town library on the other side of the world may have a completely different situation than what is happening in a small Danish library? Or that someone who relates an experience that is totally unfamiliar to you isn't saying something "definitely not true" just because you cannot imagine life outside of your own immediate vicinity?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

As I said, I cannot see the big difference. Please spell it out for me 🙂

The 'definitely not true' part was a reply to 'ain't gonna fly, Liberians and people can't use Linux'. Which is a statement from one person without any evidence to back it up. The evidence shows it's a false statement, because it is in fact working on a large scale in Denmark, without issues and people are happy with it.

So yeah, it is 'definitely not true'.

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