VMware and Webconverger

[Marian Librarian]

"Save the configuration below as a file named webconverger.vmx with
webconverger.iso in the same directory. Run with VMWARE's player."

How can you do that? All the CD writing software that I have used, the
copy feature for copying an iso onto a CD does not allow you to also
copy a file to that same CD.

[Marian Librarian]

Apologies for replying to my own message.

downloaded and read the instructions for VMware on Linux. It appears
that VMware is copied from a CD and saved to the harddrive. Then it is
installed from where you saved it on the harddrive.

I need to reevaluate what version of linux I am running on our public
access machines. Currently I have 2 running Ubuntu 8.04, 1 computer
running Kubuntu 8.04, and 2 more running an earlier Ubuntu 6.?. Ubuntu
uses a Gnome desktop and Kubuntu uses a KDE desktop. It looks like
this is redundant because I don't need their desktop. So I am
currently looking for a Linux Lite type Linux that doesn't come with a
desktop. My library application server is running on Debian Etch - no
desktop.



On Jul 31, 10:37 am, Marian Librarian <genevapubliclibr...@gmail.com>
wrote:

[Marian Librarian]

Found:
DSL Damn Small Linux
Knoppix
Slax
NimbleX
Puppy Linux

Taking a look at Slax Core. 190.7 MB iso

On Jul 31, 11:31 am, Marian Librarian <genevapubliclibr...@gmail.com>

[Marian Librarian]

I keep looking:
Debian Live Standard 501 - 133MB no desktop found this one mentioned
here. Should be my 1st choice.
Smaller than Slax - 190.7 MB

On Jul 31, 12:00 pm, Marian Librarian <genevapubliclibr...@gmail.com>
wrote:

[jammin]

> I keep looking:
> Debian Live Standard 501 - 133MB no desktop found this one mentioned here. Should be my 1st choice.

As a starting point for building your own system, or if you just want
to use a standard "full featured" type system, I agree. There are
some potential security/privacy issues to be aware of though, if used
as-is for the public. (If running from CD or read-only file system,
rebooting between users would mitigate most of them.)

-------------

If you are looking for a simple kiosk. I think this webconverger may
be the way to go. I've looked at many over the years, and this is
only the second one to really get my interest. The other had some
nifty features, but seems to be a dying project. No matter... I've
already been able to replicate my favorite feature on webconverger.

The customization price looks very good (IMO). It also isn't too
terribly difficult to do some things on one's own if you had to.

-------------

If you were looking for a full-blown ILS-integrated public access
solution along the lines of Envisionware (but open-source and built on
linux) take a look at groovix. They have an fully functional/
unlimited demo that can be run as a live cd, or installed. Of course
the major features (such as ILS integration) require customization/
support etc. The cost is significant, but more than competitive with
other systems of that type. (Disclaimer... we have it, and are very
happy with it. But it is overkill for some purposes, and serves a
different need than kiosk systems.)

[Kai Hendry]

I don't quite understand what you are trying to do.

If you trying to virtualise Webconverger on Ubuntu or something I
don't recommend doing that, unless for testing Webconverger.
http://webconverger.org/testing/

I wrote a guide sometime ago, that effectively can "convert" an Ubuntu
or Debian machine to a Webconverger terminal:
http://webconverger.org/blog/entry/Debian_Web_Kiosk/

However it's quite technical. I don't recommend doing this unless you
know what you are doing.

Otherwise for a library application server or print server I recommend
Ubuntu. It's quite a good distribution created by another South
African. ;)

Kind regards,