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59 Electronic Kiosk Project: Distributed Access to E-Mail and Web Browsing
Jeffrey
Raymond, University of Pittsburgh
Electronic kiosks provide an alternative avenue of
access to the University of Pittsburgh’s electronic communication network. These limited-use devices allow students to
enter PittNet, redistributing the historically heavy use of e-mail and web
browsing from the Campus Computing Labs, to strategically placed kiosks in
public settings throughout the University of Pittsburgh campus. Electronic kiosks are capable of managing
E-mail transactions and delivering full-featured web browsing in an
authenticated environment.
The Electronic Kiosks Project team was charged with
the following goals:
* Provide students with secure access to e-mail and
web browsing at stand-up kiosks.
* Identify a solution that will reduce e-mail and
short-duration web browsing in the Campus Computing Labs.
* Distribute the devices in areas of high student
density.
* Identify a solution that will reduce the total cost
of ownership.
In addition to the original goals, several of the most
critical considerations include:
* The Electronic Kiosks must utilize a desktop image
that is familiar to the students.
* Aesthetic issues will need to be factored into the
final appearance of the kiosks.
* The final solution for the initial campus-wide
deployment should require no server or only a single server.
* Physical security of the kiosk enclosures must be
ensured. There are currently nine kiosks in operation. The anticipated deployment over the next
three years is projected to be 100 kiosks.
The next phase of the project involves deploying 10-15 units.
The presenter will describe the rationale for deploying electronic kiosks throughout the University of Pittsburgh campus. Data will be presented that builds the case for alternatives to computing lab devices for access to e-mail and web browsing. The platform evaluation process will be detailed, including the factors that led to the decision to use recycled Intel devices for the electronic kiosks.
Keywords: e-mail, web browsing, total cost of ownership and recycled.