o 1.2 Setting Up Stations o 1.3 Installing Userful Desktop
1.3.1 Changing Boot Device Priority o 1.4 First Boot After Installation o 1.5 Configuring Userful Desktop o 1.6 Inspect Stations o 1.7 Setting up a Local Printer o 1.8 Connecting Other USB Devices
1.8.1 About USB Devices 1.8.2 USB Hubs 1.8.3 USB Device Setup Without Dedicated Hubs 1.8.4 USB Device Setup Using Dedicated Powered Local Hubs
o 1.9 The User Experience: Headphones, USB Memory and Digital Cameras
2 Basic Administration o 2.1 Userful Manager
o 2.2 Remote Monitoring and Control (Formerly DiscoverAssist) o 2.3 The Administrator Mode o 2.4 Administrator Passwords o 2.5 Administrative actions by non-Administrators o 2.6 Using Foreign Input o 2.7 The 'Lock Station' Feature
3 Administrator Mode o 3.1 Entering Administrator Mode o 3.2 Desktop Icons: Common Tasks
3.2.1 View System Information 3.2.2 Set Date and Time 3.2.3 Userful Manager 3.2.4 Update Configuration 3.2.5 Network
3.2.5.1 Automatic Network Configuration 3.2.5.2 Manual Network Configuration 3.2.5.3 Configuring an Individual IP Address for Each
Station 3.2.6 Proxy Settings 3.2.7 Other Desktop Tasks
o 3.3 The Advanced Tools Folder 3.3.1 Install Packages 3.3.2 Open a Command Prompt 3.3.3 Restarting Services
4 Printing o 4.1 Printer Configuration
4.1.1 The Print Configuration Tool 4.1.2 Adding a Printer 4.1.3 Printer Set-up in Userful Manager
o 4.2 Managing the Print Queue o 4.3 Print Control and Charges o 4.4 Printer Troubleshooting
4.4.1 Printing Problems: Check the Printer 4.4.2 Web-Based Print Troubleshooting
5 Other Administrative Tasks o 5.1 Enabling Remote Support Access
5.1.1 Enabling access through a Router/Firewall o 5.2 Restart Userful Desktop
5.2.1 Restarting Individual Stations 5.2.2 Scheduling a Computer Reboot 5.2.3 Shutting Down the Computer 5.2.4 Immediately Rebooting the Computer
o 5.3 Recording CDs 5.3.1 Recording to CD-R (recordable) Discs With Userful
Desktop 5.3.2 Recording to CD-RW (rewritable) Discs With Userful
Desktopo 5.4 Using Web Filters
6 Userful Manager Portal o 6.1 Introduction to Userful Manager
o 6.2 Accessing Userful Manager o 6.3 Navigating Through Userful Manager
6.3.1 The Userful Manager Home Page 6.3.1.1 My Userful Manager Account 6.3.1.2 The Toolbox
6.3.2 The Solutions Expert o 6.4 Registering Your Userful Desktop o 6.5 Configuring Core Userful Desktop Components
6.5.5 Welcome Screens o 6.6 Setting up computers and stations
6.6.1 Station Numbering o 6.7 Updating Configurations o 6.8 Multi-language configuration
6.8.1 Keyboard Layouts and Foreign Input Methods 6.8.2 Multilingual Display Support
6.8.2.1 Using Multilingual Display Support 6.8.3 Configuring Languages Offered on the Welcome Screen 6.8.4 Translating the Acceptable Usage Policy 6.8.5 Translating Session Profile Names
o 6.9 Advanced Userful Manager Configuration 6.9.1 Providing Desktop User Help Files 6.9.2 Using Web Filtering Profiles 6.9.3 Printers 6.9.4 Print Payment Policy 6.9.5 Charging for Access Time 6.9.6 Artwork and Brandings 6.9.7 User Groups & Authentication 6.9.8 Access Manager 6.9.9 System Passwords 6.9.10 Adding Extra Modules
o 6.10 Other Userful Manager Tools 6.10.1 The Solutions Catalog 6.10.2 The Solutions Designer 6.10.3 View Usage Reports 6.10.4 Download Install Disks 6.10.5 Manage Pre-Paid Cards 6.10.6 Access the Userful Store
7 Remote Monitoring and Control Portal o 7.1 The Remote Monitoring & Control Portal o 7.2 Using Remote Monitoring & Control o 7.3 Commands for Computers o 7.4 Working With Stations
o 7.5 Station Commands 7.5.1 Example: Send Custom Messages 7.5.2 Example: Extend the Time of a Session
o 7.6 Reset Station vs. Hard Reset o 7.7 Common Tasks
7.7.1 Logging in Stations Without Barcode/Pin 7.7.2 Logging in Multiple Stations Simultaneously
o 7.8 Remote Monitoring & Control FAQs 8 Troubleshooting
o 8.1 General Troubleshooting 8.1.1 Keyboard does not work 8.1.2 Single station frozen 8.1.3 All stations frozen 8.1.4 Mouse does not work 8.1.5 The station is working (the cursor moves) but
Ctrl+Alt+Del/A/R/F/T do not work 8.1.6 Userful Desktop will not turn on 8.1.7 Power button does not turn off the computer 8.1.8 One monitor receives no signal 8.1.9 Userful Desktop will not print 8.1.10 Foreign fonts do not work 8.1.11 Frequent unexpected reboot or freezing
9 Appendix A - Glossary 10 Appendix B - Extending Userful Desktop
Installation and SetupThank you for choosing Userful Desktop™, the world’s best and most complete public computing solution. In this Administrator Guide, you will find instructions to set up and configure Userful Desktop to suit your needs.
Before You Begin
Access up-to-date documentation on Userful's Support Website.
Product Guide Training Manual(s) Installation/Restore CD
Electronic versions of these documents can be downloaded from our Support WebsiteIf you purchased Userful Desktop as a complete solution, the following hardware is also included:
1 Central computer box
Connecting a DVI to VGA video adaptor.
1 Quick setup diagram 1 USB keyboard and mouse for each station 1 Six-foot AC power cord 1 Ethernet cable
DVI to VGA adaptors (if required)
Optional peripherals such as monitors, monitor extension cables and USB powered hubs are supplied separately if they have been ordered.
Minimum Hardware Requirements
To install Userful Desktop, your hardware must meet these minimum requirements:
Memory (RAM): 192MB CPU: Pentium III-class Hard drive: 12 GB Video card: 1 MB CD or DVD drive PS/2 or USB keyboard and mouse VGA monitor
Before setting up your Userful Desktop, please read and understand the safety and operating instructions in this Administrator's manual. Retain these instructions for future reference.
Ventilation: Vents and fan openings on the computer box provide the necessary airflow for reliable operation of the product and protect it from overheating. These openings must not be blocked or covered. Similarly, this product should not be placed within an enclosed or confined area (such as a cabinet) unless proper ventilation is provided.
AC power cord: The power cord is used to connect the central computer box to a surge protected power bar or uninterrupted power supply. Ensure that the socket outlet is located or installed near the computer box and is easily accessible.
Lithium battery: The lithium battery provides power for the clock and the non-volatile CMOS memory. The battery has an estimated useful life expectancy of five to ten years. If your system no longer keeps accurate time and date settings, you may need to replace the battery. There is an explosion hazard if the battery is incorrectly replaced or replaced with the wrong type of battery. Replace only with the same or equivalent type of battery.
Power bar/Surge protector: Ensure the computer box is always plugged into a surge protected power source.
RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK: Only a trained computer technician using appropriate safeguards should attempt to service the computer. Opening or removing covers may expose personnel and equipment to hazards. Incorrect reassembly can cause electric shock when this product is subsequently used.
Setting Up Stations
System Setup Diagram
Step 1: Plan out your public computing area. The host computer box should be conveniently located for easy access to the CD or floppy drives. Place monitors far enough apart for comfortable working space and privacy for each station, but close enough for the cables to reach the computer. Where possible, all monitors and
keyboards should reside on the same table as the computer box to which they are connected; otherwise place them as close to the Userful Desktop as practicable.
Step 2: Prepare the following items before proceeding:
A VGA monitor for each station (supporting a minimum resolution of 1024x768 pixels at 60 Hz)
An Ethernet connection via Category 5 cable and an Internet service provider (ISP)
(Optional) A supported printer (Optional) Recordable CDs or floppy disks for saving data
The LED(s) for the network connection illuminate when a network cable is connected and functional.
Step 3: Place a keyboard and mouse at each monitor (or “station”).
Step 4: Connect all cables (Ethernet, monitors, USB keyboards and power) to the back of the Userful Desktop computer. VGA monitors connect via VGA-to-DVI converters. There should be one VGA port and at least one USB port for each station. The Ethernet cable is required to connect to a network and/or the Internet.
Caution: If cables must be run between tables, be sure they are out of the way, secured or covered and do not present a tripping hazard.
Step 5: Connect all power cords from the central computer box and monitors into surge-protected power bars or uninterruptable power supplies.
Tip: Use VGA and USB extension cables to deploy stations away from the Userful Desktop computer. When installing a USB extension, tie a half-hitch knot at the connection to prevent accidental disconnection. Use the shortest and highest quality cable possible. The maximum allowable cable length between a keyboard and a powered hub or computer is 15 feet.
Installing Userful Desktop
If you purchased Userful Desktop as a software-only solution, you will need to install Userful Desktop on your PCs. If you purchased Userful Desktop as a complete hardware and software solution, your computers ship with Userful Desktop pre-installed. Please proceed to Section 1.4, First Boot After Installation.
NOTE: Userful Desktop software installed by this CD permits both single- and multi-station use.
WARNING: Installing Userful Desktop will format your hard drive and you will lose all the data on that hard drive.
To install Userful Desktop:
Step 1: If your computer is configured to boot from the CD drive, simply switch the computer on and insert the Userful Desktop Installation CD into the drive. If the PC does not boot from the CD, enable the CD boot device option in the BIOS following the instructions in Section 1.3.1, below.
Step 2: After booting from the Userful Desktop Installation CD, type ‘install’ and press ‘Enter’ when prompted to do so. Installation proceeds automatically if the computer hardware meets the minimum specifications outlined above.
Step 3: Once Userful Desktop is installed on the hard drive, eject and remove the CD and reboot the computer. Ensure that the computer is connected to the Internet prior to restarting the computer.
Note: Before permitting public use, configure the BIOS to prevent booting from a CD and password protect the BIOS. This ensures that a malicious user cannot boot his own CD and overwrite your hard drive. Enter your computer’s BIOS configuration as described below, then go to the “Security” or “Passwords” page in the BIOS and select the “Set Supervisor Password” or similar option. Press ‘Enter’ and type in the password you want and press ‘Enter’, do this again and record the password for future reference. Save the new BIOS settings and exit the BIOS configuration screen.
Changing Boot Device Priority
Changing boot device priority enables your computer to boot from the Userful Desktop Installation CD, and -- with different settings -- prevents unauthorized users from booting their own software.
To change boot device priority:
1. Press the ‘Delete’ or ‘F1’ key when you first switch on the computer to enter the BIOS configuration screen. (Determine the correct key to press for your PC by examining the first screens to appear after switching it on.)
2. In the BIOS configuration screens, navigate using the arrow keys. Press ‘Enter’ to select options and ‘Esc’ to exit. The particular page and name of the boot sequence configuration depends on the computer. On older PCs it could be called “CMOS Setup” under the “Advanced” menu; modern PCs might list it as “Boot Device Priority” on the “Boot” menu. Select the “Boot Device Priority” option and press ‘Enter’.
An example of a BIOS screen.
3. Select the “1st Boot Device” option and press ‘Enter’; this will let you choose from a list of possible devices such as hard disk drives, floppy disk drives, and USB and network devices.
4. Use the arrow keys (or the +/- keys on some computers) to highlight the appropriate boot device. To boot from the Userful Desktop CD, choose the CD or DVD drive, then press ‘Enter’. To prevent others from booting from their own CDs (after installing Userful Desktop), choose the hard drive, then press ‘Enter’.
5. Press ‘Esc’ repeatedly until you reach the main menu. 6. Choose the option allowing you to exit the configuration BIOS configuration
screen and save the new settings. Press ‘Enter’ to confirm the action. The computer will restart.
First Boot After Installation
Step 1: Power on all monitors and then power on the central computer box. The boot-up process will begin. During boot up, start-up messages will appear on the primary station’s monitor, typically connected to the top-most video port on the back of the computer box. This will also be the screen which displays any BIOS messages. Since all
other screens will be blank during the initial phases, it is important to be sure that this monitor is plugged in and working.
Step 2: When the Userful Desktop computer starts for the first time, you may be prompted to select a display resolution for connected monitors. Use the default settings and automatic configuration unless the monitors in use cannot support a resolution of 1024x768 or greater.
Third-Party Hardware and Touch-Screens
If you are configuring Userful Desktop for third-party hardware purchased separately, refer to our documentation on Userful Multiplier Configuration.
If you are configuring Userful Desktop for use with supported touch screens, refer to our Multi-Station Touch-Screen Support.
The keyboard assignment screen appears on each station.
Step 3: Each monitor will display a prompt to press a function key (F1-F10) to link the keyboard/mouse pair to the monitor they are in front of, forming a station. After pressing the appropriate F-key verify that the mouse works by moving it, then proceed to the next station.
If a mouse is connected to a separate USB port rather than its keyboard, you will be prompted to press a button on the mouse to link it with the correct monitor and keyboard.
Do this for each monitor in any order. The assignment of keyboards and screens will be preserved when you shutdown your computer. If you accidentally press the wrong key, you can repeat the assignment process for all stations by running the “Reassign Input Devices” application from Administrator Mode (or by pressing “Ctrl+Alt+Break” or by disconnecting and reconnecting the offending keyboard).
Note: To arrange stations in numerical order, loosely connect the video cables to the video ports without tightening the thumbscrews. With the computer started, the station numbering will appear on individual monitors, allowing video ports to be identified with station numbers. Disconnect and reconnect monitor cables to video
Remember to securely tighten the thumbscrews after achieving the desired configuration.
Configuring Userful Desktop
When Userful Desktop starts for the first time, the setup wizard screen appears.
After configuring the display settings and assigning at least one station, you will be prompted to accept the Userful Desktop License Agreement. If you accept the agreement, the setup wizard will guide you through initial Userful Desktop configuration.
The following steps should be completed prior to enabling the system. A green check mark will appear next to each configured item.
Step 1, Network: Network settings must be configured to access the local area network or the Internet. (Note: Internet access is required to complete the next configuration step.) The default network settings are correct for most installations. If necessary, instructions for reconfiguring the network are given in Section 3.4.
Note the checkmarks next to each item. This system is completely configured and ready to be enabled.
Step 2, Apply Configuration: You must register Userful Desktop to take full advantage of Userful Desktop’s customizable settings and web-based management features. If you do not currently have a Userful Manager account, the Register step will offer to create one for you. This is one of the most powerful features of Userful Desktop and gives administrators remote control and monitoring of many Userful Desktop features.
If you incorrectly register your Userful Desktop in this step, please refer to the instructions here.
Step 3, Date and Time: Ensure that your system’s date and time, and time zone are correct before enabling your Userful Desktop. You can also set the date and time later through Admin Mode.
Step 4, Printers (optional): If you wish to configure printers connected to Userful Desktop, do so in this step. You can also configure printers later by following the steps in Chapter 4.
Step 5, Enable System: After configuring the above options, click “Enable System” to turn on the stations. This will display the Welcome Screen on all configured systems.
A Welcome Screen gives users the choice of a number of session types.
Verify that the Welcome Screen or web browser appears on each station. To verify that the keyboard and mouse are working correctly after powering up or rebooting, move the mouse or type on the keyboard at each station.
If mouse movements or keyboard actions appear to be affecting the wrong monitor you can either disconnect and reconnect the affected keyboards, or press “Ctrl+Alt+Break” on any incorrectly assigned keyboards. You may also click the “Reassign Input Devices” icon in the "Advanced Tools" folder on the Admin Mode desktop to reassign keyboards.
Refer to Chapter 8, "Troubleshooting", if the problem persists or if the mouse or keyboard appear to not be affecting any station at all.
Setting up a Local Printer
Connect the printer to a USB port either on the back of the Userful Desktop or a USB port on a USB hub. Connecting a printer to a USB port on USB keyboard is not supported due to the risk of accidental disconnection by the keyboard’s user.
If you ordered your hardware from Userful, the computer arrives pre-configured to support any printers purchased with your system or specified when ordering the system. See Chapter 4 for detailed information on printers, managing the print queue through the LAN and troubleshooting tips for printers. More information can also be found in the Userful Desktop Printing Guide.
A limited number of USB devices, in addition to USB mice, may be connected directly to USB ports in USB keyboards. Powered or unpowered USB hubs can also be used to connect a variety of USB devices.
Before connecting USB peripherals:
without dedicated USB hubs, please refer to Table 1.1, below. with dedicated USB hubs, please refer to Table 1.2, below.
Note: Connecting devices not listed in Tables 1.1 and 1.2 or connecting devices in a manner not recommended in these tables may result in unreliable operation.
About USB Devices
USB devices can either be self powered (e.g., USB CD drives, powered USB hubs) or bus powered (e.g., audio headsets, mice, keyboards). Self powered devices include an AC power adapter. Because each USB port on the central computer only provides a power supply up to 500 mA for its devices, connecting multiple bus powered devices to an unpowered hub can easily exceed this maximum power consumption.
Typically USB ports only provide sufficient power to support a single keyboard and mouse and one other low powered device such as a USB audio headset. To attach additional high power devices such as a USB floppy drive, you will need to connect them directly to the computer box, or to a powered USB hub.
Keyboards should never be connected to spare ports on other keyboards. Floppy drives should never be plugged into keyboards
Recommended connection layout for multiple USB devices.
If only one keyboard is connected to a powered USB hub, devices connected to that powered USB hub will only be available to the station to which the hub is assigned.
If more than one keyboard is connected to a powered USB hub, access to devices also connected to that hub will need to be assigned manually through the CD/Floppy/Audio Device assignment panel in Administrator Mode.
Powered USB hubs may be used to provide additional connectivity for peripherals such as USB keys, digital cameras and audio devices.
If the hub is self powered (i.e., comes with an AC power adaptor), then any USB device may be attached to it. However if the hub is bus powered, then only low power (100 mA max) devices can be attached to it. A bus powered hub should not be connected directly to another bus powered hub.
Devices plugged into a USB hub associated with a station will also become associated with that station. Userful strongly recommends using a dedicated powered USB hub for each station where users may attach multiple USB peripherals (e.g., if users may plug in USB keys, digital cameras, audio headsets, etc.). In this manner, devices are automatically assigned to each station.
The figure at right describes a typical station layout -- using powered, dedicated hubs -- with recommended USB connection points for multiple USB devices.
USB Device Setup Without Dedicated Hubs
If your Userful Desktop deployment does not include individual powered USB hubs for each station, the following USB device connection points are recommended.
Table 1.1:Recommended USB device connection points without dedicated powered local hubs.
USB Device Plugs into...
Keyboard Computer
Mouse Keyboard
Barcode Scanner Computer
Magnetic Stripe Reader Computer
Flash Drive Keyboard
Memory Card Reader Computer
Digital Camera Computer
USB Sound Devices Keyboard
Floppy Drive Computer
Printer Computer
External CD Drive Computer/Keyboard
Powered Hub Computer/Keyboard
Unpowered Hub Not recommended
USB Device Setup Using Dedicated Powered Local Hubs
If your Userful Desktop deployment includes individual powered USB hubs for each station, the following USB device connection points are recommended.
Table 1.2:Recommended USB device connection points using dedicated powered local hubs.
USB Device Plugs into...
Keyboard Local Hub
Mouse Keyboard/Local Hub
Barcode Scanner Keyboard/Local Hub
Magnetic Stripe Reader Keyboard/Local Hub
Flash Drive Keyboard/Local Hub
Memory Card Reader Keyboard/Local Hub
Digital Camera Keyboard/Local Hub
USB Sound Devices Keyboard/Local Hub
Floppy Drive Keyboard/Local Hub
Printer Computer
External CD Drive Keyboard/Local Hub
Powered Hub Computer
Unpowered Hub Local Hub
The User Experience: Headphones, USB Memory and Digital Cameras
Userful Desktop is designed to give each user a complete 'PC' experience, including the use of audio devices such as headphones, USB mass storage devices (flash drives) and digital cameras.
Although station set-ups will vary, users will commonly plug their devices into a USB hub (which often includes a 3.5mm audio jack) associated with their Userful Desktop station. For optimum performance, please instruct users to:
plug in audio devices before logging in at the stationo Note: Only one application can use sound at a time. If sound does not
seem work with some programs, please check whether there is another program using the sound device and close the program. Then, try the first program again.
plug in USB mass storage devices and digital cameras when a session is already running
Basic AdministrationUserful Desktop is administered through three main tools: Userful Manager, Remote Monitoring and Control and Userful Desktop's Administrator Mode.
One or more staff within your organization should be designated as Administrators, who:
1. Set up the system and configure the Userful Desktop using Userful Manager
2. Receive system alerts and warnings by email
3. Keep account information up to date
4. Will be the first point of contact both for Userful support and your own staff when issues arise.
Userful Manager
Userful Manager.
Administrators control Userful Desktop's appearance and functionality through the Userful Manager web portal. They do so by logging in to the web-based control panel using a web browser to make and apply changes. Userful Manager saves these settings, which can also be applied to any new machines added to the Userful Manager account.
Access to Userful Manager is included as part of your support subscription agreement.
To add an administrator to Userful Manager, please refer to the Access Manager section of Chapter 6.
Userful Manager is described in Chapter 6.
Remote Monitoring and Control (Formerly DiscoverAssist)
Administrators also have access to a variety of remote support and assistance tools through the Remote Monitoring and Control web portal. This enables administrators to execute real-time commands on systems, such as re-booting the computer, logging out a specific user, viewing logs, etc.
Access Remote Monitoring and Control from the Userful Manager home page, by visiting http://localhost/gui.php from a web browser on Userful Desktop or from the desktop icon available in Administrator Mode. An administrator password is required to access Remote Monitoring and Control.
Remote Monitoring and Control is described in Chapter 7.
The Administrator Mode
Administrator Mode. Some tools reside in the Advanced Tools folder.
Administrator Mode provides access to key administrative tools and is typically used when setting up, moving or troubleshooting a computer.
Enter Administrator Mode from the welcome screen of any Userful Desktop by pressing “Ctrl+Alt+A”. When prompted to do so, enter the Administrator password. In Administrator Mode, administrators can:
Schedule a reboot Assign floppy and CD drives to stations Configure network settings Set the date, time, and time zone Configure printers View system settings Open a command prompt window Enter Userful Manager Immediately update changes made in Userful Manager
Administrator Mode passwords: Each Userful Desktop has an Administrator password that enables administrators to enter Administrator Mode. To simplify management, Userful Manager will assign the same password for all Userful Desktops. This password should be known by all administrators and should be changed periodically.
This password can be changed through the Userful Manager web interface. When one administrator changes the password, all administrators added to your Userful Multiplier account will receive an email alerting them to this change. Keep your administrator password secret, and if you need to write it down, store it in a safe place.
Note: For security reasons, a new and unique password to enter Administrator Mode is assigned the first time a machine registers with Userful Manager. To access and/or change this new password, go to Userful Manager > Solutions Expert > System Passwords.
The default passwords for 'Administrative actions by non-Administrators' are also found in 'System Passwords'.
Userful Manager Account passwords: Each individual with administrative privileges within your organization will have their own account and password with the http://manage.userful.com portal. They can log in from any web browser using their email address and password and undertake set-up and configuration tasks. To change your personal account password, log in to Userful Manager and click on the link "Your member account details"; from the "My Account" page which opens, click on "Change my Password".
Certain administrative actions can be performed without a regular administrator (for example, by on-duty staff):
Ctrl+Alt+Del resets an individual station (available to any user).
Ctrl+Alt+T with the time password: can extend the time of a station’s session. This brings up a dialog prompting for how long the administrator wishes to extend the user’s time.
Ctrl+Alt+R with the reboot password: schedules a reboot of the system the next time all stations are empty. This optionally allows staff to prevent new users logging on until the reboot has taken place.
Ctrl+Alt+F with filter password: can remove the filtering of a station’s session.
Passwords can be changed using the “System Passwords” panel in Userful Manager.
For reasons of security, passwords have been removed from the downloadable version of this document.
Using Foreign Input
Userful Desktop supports a variety of keyboard layouts and fonts for foreign languages.
For more information on using Userful Manager to modify the level of internationalization and multilingual features, including keyboard layouts, offered to users through Userful Desktop, please see Section 6.8, Multi-language configuration.
To learn how to set up Userful Desktop's multi-lingual input features, please contact Customer Support or your Userful Sales Representative.
On-site Administrators should be aware of the 'Lock Station' feature, which can be added to Userful Desktops through Userful Manager.
A user-created password must be entered twice to lock a station.
Patrons who wish to leave their stations for a short time without abandoning their sessions can use the 'Lock Station' feature. When a patron clicks on the 'Lock Station' icon (found on the desktop and in the Start Menu), the dialog at right will appear, asking for a password that the user will create on-the-spot. Users must re-enter their password to be sure they have typed it correctly.
Entering a password to unlock a station.
To unlock the station and return to their session, users must enter the same password provided when the station was locked.
Note: Please emphasise to your patrons the importance of remembering their lockdown passwords, as Administrators cannot bypass the password screen to return to the session. If necessary, Administrators can use Ctrl-Alt-Delete to immediately end the session and return to the Welcome Screen.
You can switch into administrator mode from any station by pressing “Ctrl+Alt+A” from the Welcome Screen. When prompted, enter the administrator password.
Administrator Mode removes the time limit and adds a selection of administrative icons to the desktop. To undertake an administrative task, simply double-click the appropriate icon. Note that icons for some less common commands reside in a folder on the desktop called “Advanced Tools”.
Logging out of Administrator Mode.
An administrator who wishes to work for a prolonged period and avoid the time limit manager could logon as Administrator.
Be sure to log out once your work in administration mode is complete. To log out, select “Log Out” from the Start Here menu or click the logout icon on the timer.
Desktop Icons: Common Tasks
In Administrative mode, icons for routine administrative tasks appear on the desktop. These tasks are described in more detail below.
View System Information
View System Information.
The View System Information Icon is on the Administrator Mode Desktop. Double-clicking the icon will display a window containing pertinent information about your Userful Desktop including:
The MAC address for the primary network interface Hard disk drive size Installed memory size Number of keyboards and mice connected Network status Printer information
Set Date and Time
Set Date & Time.
Double-click on the Date & Time icon on your Administrative Mode desktop.
On the Date & Time tab, you can set both the time and date. If the calender and time are grayed out, you have the NTP (Network Time Protocol) set.
On the Network Time Protocol tab, you can enable and disable Network Time Protocol. Having this enabled is recommended, as this keeps your clock accurate automatically.
On the Time Zone tab, set the machine to the Time Zone you are in (NOTE - Make sure that you have selected the correct area, as many regions have different rules about Daylight Savings).
Userful Manager
Access Userful Manager.
Double-clicking on this icon will open a web browser window for Userful Manager's web portal. With Userful Manager, an administrator can customize settings, appearance and functionality of the Userful Desktop system.
Although Userful Manager can be accessed from any Internet-connected computer, accessing from the Administrator Mode desktop is useful since direct access from Userful Desktop allows you to immediately examine changes made through Userful Manager.
More information about Userful Manager is in Chapter 6.
Update Configuration
Get Updated Configuration.
Configuration changes made in Userful Manager are only applied the next time the computer box automatically checks in to Userful Manager's server, which occurs every four hours.
Clicking the “Update Configuration” tool in Administrator Mode causes an immediate update to the configuration on the Userful Desktop. This allows you to check that your changes have had the desired effect.
Updates will be applied to the system when you log out of Administrator Mode. Changes only become visible on sessions started after the Update Configuration tool has run.
Network
Configure the Network.
To access the Network Configuration Tool, in Administrator Mode, double-click the “Network” icon. The Network Configuration tool will appear.
This tool must be used if Userful Desktop failed to automatically obtain a network connection through DHCP. You can attempt again to obtain the correct network settings automatically by using DHCP.
If you select "Automatically obtain IP address settings with...", choose your configuration protocol (typically DHCP) and click "Okay", the Userful Desktop system will attempt to automatically configure with correct settings.
Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or network administrator may require Userful Desktop to be configured with the following settings:
DHCP or BOOTP: If your ISP requires a hostname fill it in here.
PPPoE: Fill in user name and password provided by your ISP.
If the network fails to configure automatically, you will need to obtain the correct settings from your ISP or your network administrator and make a manual installation with statically set IP address.
Should your ISP require the use of BOOTP or PPPoE connection, Userful recommends using a hardware router recommended by your ISP.
Manual Network Configuration
If you select "Statically Set IP Address", you will be prompted to enter network settings. You will need the following information for manual network configuration:
Default Gateway Address, the IP address of your local network gateway. First and second DNS servers, the IP address(es) of your local Domain Name Server(s) and the IP Network Mask (usually this is 255.255.255.0).
To connect through a gateway on local area network, contact your network administrator for information about the gateway. If you are connecting directly to the Internet through a cable modem or digital subscriber line (DSL) you will need to obtain the following settings from your ISP:
IP Address: Enter the IP address of the primary interface.
Subnet Mask: Enter the network mask of the primary interface. Usually this takes the form 255.255.255.0.
DNS Servers: Enter the IP address or addresses of your local domain name server or servers.
Server Gateway: Enter the IP address of your local network gateway. A network gateway allows you to connect to networks outside of your LAN. If this field is empty the machine cannot communicate with other networks outside your LAN.
Click the ‘Help’ button for more network settings information.
Configuring an Individual IP Address for Each Station
Using the Network Configuration Tool to set Multiple IP addresses.
Userful Desktop can be configured to assign each station its own IP address. To configure multiple IP addresses for each Userful Desktop host computer:
1. Start the Network configuration tool. o This can be done either from the initial setup "Network" session or by
clicking the "Network" icon on the admin mode desktop.2. Configure a static IP address, along with a subnet mask and a gateway address.3. Check the "Enable Multiple IP Addresses".4. Click the "Configure Multiple IP address..." button.
o A "Multi-IP Config" dialog will appear.5. Enter an IP address for each station.
o It is okay for multiple stations to share one IP address.
6. Click OK on the "Multi-IP Config" dialog.7. Click OK on the "Userful Network Configuration" dialog.
o Settings will be applied right away. There is no need to logout.
Proxy Settings
You may set up an HTTP proxy for your Userful Desktop system by clicking on the 'Proxy Settings' icon on the Administrator Mode Desktop.
Other Desktop Tasks
From the Administrator Mode desktop, you can also:
"Configure Printing" and access "Print Queue Management" (these features are discussed in more detail in Chapter 4).
Schedule a computer "Reboot" or "Shutdown". For more information on rebooting and shutdown, please refer to Chapter 5.
Access the "Advanced Tools" folder.
The Advanced Tools Folder
A number of administrative functions can be found in the Advanced Tools folder, including the following:
Install Packages
For information about adding and removing optional software packages, please refer to Appendix B - Extending Userful Desktop.
Open a Command Prompt
This tool should only be used with guidance from a Userful support technician.
Restarting Services
The restarting services icon should be used when any of the below services are not functioning properly. The same functionality can also be accomplished by rebooting the system. You will find the icon in the "Advanced Tools" folder. The services restarted by this icon are:
networking (the hostname is also reset to that which is configured by UM)
printing (cups) (all pending print jobs are cleared and all "stopped" queues are "started")
the stations being served out by VNC (including the VNC server process) the stations being served out by XDM (including the XDM server process) the Linux logging service (syslog) the Japanese input service (Canna) the cron job daemon (crond) the international input method service (iiim) the portmap service (used by xmlrpc functions) the welcome screen backgound server Remote Monitoring and Control the squid proxy the cache is cleared and configuration is reset Dansguardian configuration is re-gathered from configuration downloaded from UM the RHN service (which checks for configuration on Userful Manager) the X font server (xfs) the network time daemon (ntpd)
Printing
Printer Configuration
With Userful Desktop, printers are configured both from the Userful Desktop and through the web-based managemet tool, Userful Manager. To add a new printer, first set it up in Admin Mode. Then, set up the cost profile and printer profile in Userful Manager.
Userful Desktop supports most common printers using PostScript and PCL. To add a printer to Userful Desktop, enter Administrator Mode with Ctrl+Alt+A and click the “Configure Printing” icon on the desktop.
Adding a Printer
Click the “New Printer” button, and follow the on-screen wizard. Visit Userful’s support web site if the wizard does not automatically detect your printer.
Userful Desktop supports printing to printers directly connected to a Userful Desktop, Windows or other print servers, and networked printers. Consult the following website, http://www.linuxprinting.org, and contact your Userful representative before purchasing a new printer for use with Userful Desktop.
Note: You should add and configure printers in Administrator Mode using the ‘Configure Printers’ icon and NOT with the web-based print management tool. Only use the web-based management tool to manage establish print queues and set print charges once the printer has been set up.
Printer Set-up in Userful Manager
Setting up print queues and charges through Userful Manager.
Printers must be added through Administration Mode before establishing print queues and printing fees through Userful Manager.
From the Solutions Expert page in Userful Manager, click on 'Printers'. You will see a list of printers on the network, along with some basic information about those printers (location, URI, etc.). Click on a printer name to edit the print queue and set a payment policy.
The Edit Printer page is shown in the figure at right. Much of the information is pre-filled (from what you configured in Admin Mode), but you can:
1. Assign the printer to a Location.2. Add machines (computers) to the printer's queue. 3. Assign a Print Payment Policy
Another web-based tool, CUPS, is used to manage the jobs in a given printer's queue.
Managing the Print Queue
Userful Desktop includes a web-based printer management tool known as CUPS, which is accessible via any web browser on any computer sharing the same local network as Userful Desktop.
The web-based CUPS Printing Interface allows you to view and manage the print queue from any Userful Desktop in your location. quickly troubleshoot printing issues. To access the interface:
Accessing the CUPS tool to manage print queues.
1. At a Userful Desktop station that is attached to the printer you wish to manage, start a session and open a web browser. (Note: You do not need to be in Administrator Mode to access CUPS, but working in Admin mode ensures your session will not be logged out. If you are in Admin Mode, simply click on the 'Print Queue Management' icon to open CUPS.)
2. Type “http://localhost:631” in the address field. This will open the CUPS Printer Interface. (Be sure to include the “http://” portion when typing the URL.) A shortcut to the print queue page can be added to any session desktop via Userful Manager.
3. Click on 'Jobs' or 'Manage Jobs' to view the queue of documents to be printed. 4. Use the buttons provided to make adjustments to the print queue.
o Some tasks require password access; the Printer Administration panel has a default login name of “Administrator” and a password which is the same as the Administration password for Userful Desktop.
Note: Web-based access to print queue management may be blocked by the LAN firewall rules setup by your network administrator.
Print Control and Charges
Userful Desktop informs patrons how to pay for print jobs.
Userful Desktop's print control feature reduces unnecessary printing and can help recover printing costs.
When print control is enabled through Userful Manager, Userful Desktop prompts users to confirm or reject each print job before queuing it for printing. It displays the number of pages, the cost and a customizable message with payment instructions such as “Pay at the front desk”, “You will need a smart card with sufficient funds to release your print job” or “This charge will be added to your library account”. An invoice/receipt can optionally be included as the last page of the print job. Configure print control in Userful Manager.
Printer Troubleshooting
Printing Problems: Check the Printer
Is there paper in printer? Are the cables securely connected? Is paper jammed in the printer? Is the printer is on? If the printer has its own status display, check this to see if there are any
messages that are displayed. Turn off the printer. Wait about 10-15 seconds, turn the printer back on and print
a test page.
If the above steps do not resolve your issue, please refer to our Print Troubleshooting FAQs.
1. Access the CUPS web-based printing system as described in Steps 1 & 2 of the Managing the Print Queue section, above.
2. Click on either the ‘Printers’ or the ‘Manage Printers’ links. This will show the status of all printers on the network.
3. Check the status of the printer. If a green ‘Start Printer’ button appears the system may think something is wrong with the printer and has chosen to stop the driver to prevent jobs from being lost. Clicking the ‘Start Printer’ button will usually fix this issue. This can happen if the printer has been powered off and on (a common, but ill-advised and, ideally, last resort method of resolving printer issues) or something mechanical has happened to the printer, such as a paper jam.
o Some tasks require password access; the Printer Administration panel has a default login name of “Administrator” and a password which is the same as the Administration password for Userful Desktop.
4. The print queue may also be clogged up by a single failed print job. To see what’s in the print queue click on the ‘Jobs’ link at the top of the page. This will display all the print jobs waiting to be serviced. From this page you can cancel individual jobs until you find the one clogging the queue by simply clicking the ‘Cancel Job’ button to the right of the appropriate job. It is best to start from the oldest job and work to the most recent job.
5. Contact Userful Support if you require further assistance.
Other Administrative Tasks
Enabling Remote Support Access
Note: You will only be eligible for remote support if you have purchased a support package from Userful.
Userful Desktops typically connect to the Internet through the LAN (via a router or firewall) but it is possible to connect Userful Desktop directly to the Internet through
cable or DSL via a public-facing IP address. In such a case remote support access should be automatic and you need not make any changes.
If you are part of a larger organization or if a router or firewall sits between your Internet connection and your Userful Desktop, you are likely connecting through your router/firewall. This situation is covered in the next paragraph.
Enabling access through a Router/Firewall
If your Userful Desktop(s) are behind your firewall, Userful may request that you establish a port forwarding rule on your router or firewall to one designated machine in each location, thus enabling our support technicians to remotely access and troubleshoot your Userful Desktop software. This port forwarding rule will direct network traffic on a specific numeric port (typically port 22) to a specific Userful Desktop computer box within your LAN.
In a DHCP network, the lease on at least one Userful Desktop computer’s internal IP address must be set to “forever” or “permanent” to prevent that Userful Desktop's IP address from changing, which would disrupt remote access. This specific Userful Desktop computer box will be used as a management point to access other Userful Desktops within the LAN.
An alternative is to obtain an available IP address from your ISP and set up the Userful Desktop outside your LAN with a public facing IP address. All stations on a single Userful Desktop computer box (whether there are 1 or 10 stations) will use the same IP address so only one IP address per box is needed.
Restart Userful Desktop
Restarting Individual Stations
Resetting a station with 'Ctrl+Alt+Del'.
There is no way to retrieve “work in progress” from a station that has frozen. The “Ctrl+Alt+Del” key combination can be used to reset any individual Station whenever there is a problem. This reset process exits any programs currently running, clears any unsaved work, and returns the Station to the welcome screen. This process takes only a few seconds.
If “Ctrl+Alt+Del” fails to restart the frozen station, it will be necessary to schedule a reboot of the computer, see below, Section 5.2.2.
To educate users about this option, place a prominent label on each station (either on the monitor or keyboard) stating: “Station Frozen? Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart”.
Scheduling a Computer Reboot
There are two methods to reboot the computer: a scheduled system reboot, and an immediate reboot.
The scheduled reboot is the preferred method. It is designed to solve the problem of “I would have rebooted immediately but there were people using the system”. If a scheduled reboot is used, it will prevent any new logins and as soon as all stations are empty, the computer will reboot automatically. The scheduled reboot should be used when “Ctrl+Alt+Del” fails to restart a frozen station.
Performing a scheduled reboot.
To schedule a system reboot, use one of the non-frozen stations and press “Ctrl+Alt+R” and enter the reboot password, or press “Ctrl+Alt+A” and enter the Admin mode password, then select the “Schedule Reboot” icon. Either method will bring up a window confirming that a reboot has been scheduled for the next time all stations are unoccupied. You may wish to set the option preventing new logins to ensure a more rapid re-boot. If there is a screen for reporting the nature of the problem causing the re-boot please fill it in to help Userful track problems.
Note: If a menu (created by a right-click or pull down) is active it steals the key-press, the Ctrl+Alt+ key sequences may nor work. Left-click on the desktop or application window then try again. If all the stations are frozen (a very rare anomaly) or if the computer hangs on boot-up, an immediate manual reboot is necessary.
Shutting down the computer with the Admin Mode 'Shutdown Computer' icon (option 1).
We recommend that Userful Desktop be left running at all times to improve the life of your hardware and ensure that all software updates are received. But it can be turned off to conserve power. Shut down the computer by one of the following methods:
1. From the Admin Mode desktop, double-click on the 'Shutdown Computer' icon. This will 'schedule' a shutdown for after all users have logged off.
2. Remotely shut down the computer using Remote Monitoring and Control.o RMC can also be used to reset stations and reboot computers.
3. Press and hold the power button for at least 10 seconds.4. Switch off the power supply (at the back of the computer; the I/O (power)
switch has a circle on one side and a line on the other. Pressing the side with the circle turns the power OFF.).
Immediately Rebooting the Computer
Powering off (or shutting down) the Userful Desktop (described above) and restarting it reboots the computer. When the power is switched off on a computer box, all stations attached to that computer go down. Any unsaved work on any station attached to the computer will be lost. Be sure to notify any users on the system to save their work to a USB memory stick, CD, floppy disk, or web drive, prior to undertaking an immediate reboot. A scheduled reboot (Ctrl+Alt+R) is the preferred method when stations are in use. Immediate reboot should only be used when there is no one using the system.
Recording CDs
Recording to CD-R (recordable) Discs With Userful Desktop
The CD/DVD Creator window showing MP3 files dragged-and-dropped from the desktop.
The following steps enable administrators and users to record CDs with Userful Desktop.
1. Insert a blank CD.2. Double-click on the Computer icon on the desktop to located the blank CD.3. Double-click to open the blank CD. When a blank CD or DVD is opened, the
CD/DVD creator automatically launches.4. Drag the files to be copied from the desktop into the CD/DVD creator window
(see image at right).5. Click on the 'Write Disk' button to start the CD burning process.6. A "Write to Disk" window opens up with the destination drive already specified.
Name the disk and choose the write speed before clicking 'Write' to start the burn.
7. The disk will be ejected automatically when the burn is finished.
Recording to CD-RW (rewritable) Discs With Userful Desktop
After clicking Write Disk, choose burn options.
To write data to a CD-RW (rewritable) containing previously recorded information:
1. Insert the rewritable CD into the CD drive in the Userful Desktop computer.2. If the CD-RW disc contains information, it must be erased before data can be
recorded. If you wish to preserve the contents of the CD, first make a copy of its contents to the desktop.
3. 'Blank' the disk if CD/DVD creator prompts you to do so. 4. Follow the procedure above to burn your CD-Rewritable disc.
If filtering is optional, the user may choose to use the filter after logging in. In this example, the Internet Filter is 'Always ON'.
Userful Desktop’s web filtering functionality is administered through Userful Manager, the web-based administration portal for Userful Desktop described in Chapter 6.
For any Session Profile in use, if the “Always ON” option for filtering is selected in Userful Manager’s Filtering control panel, the web filter for that session type will be applied automatically. If “Optional” was chosen, then a pop-up window (see right) will appear when the Session is started, which the user can use to enable or disable the web filter.
Userful Manager PortalNote that this chapter is available separately at the Manuals/Userful Manager User Guide page.
Introduction to Userful Manager
Userful Manager (UM) is a web-based portal for managing settings related to the administration and operation of Userful Desktop. Use Userful Manager to modify settings on Userful Desktops including passwords and points of contact for system event notification emails. Customize settings such as operating hours and locations, Welcome Screens and CD drive access to fit your unique needs.
Userful Manager can be accessed from any computer with a Web Browser and Internet access. To access the Userful Manager:
1. Open http://manage.userful.com/ in a web browser.2. If you have a UM account, enter the email address and password for that
account. If you do not have a UM account, you may create one by clicking “Register”. If you have forgotten your password, click “Forgot your password?” to have a new automatically generated password sent to your registered email address.
3. Click the “Log In” button to log in to UM.
When you successfully log in, the Userful Manager home page opens.
Navigating Through Userful Manager
Userful Manager is a very powerful and complex tool for managing your desktops, but navigating through the many tools and tasks of Manager is simple. Every function can be reached through either the Userful Manager Home page, or through the Solutions Expert page. In addition, there is a Navigation/Information Bar across the top of each and every page that offers dynamic pull-down menus to help you move from task to task and area to area.
The Navigation Bar is at the top of every page in Userful Manager.
Note: Userful Manager takes full advantage of its web-based platform by extensively using hyperlinks. Any categories, column or row labels, names, options or other text that is blue is clickable; clicking such links opens up functionality or takes you to other areas of the website that relate to your current task. Don't be afraid to click on these links -- you can always use your browser's "Back" button to return to where you started.
The Userful Manager Home Page
The Home page is your starting point every time you log into Userful Manager.
On the right side of the Home Page you will find news, tips and tricks for getting the most out of Manager.
On the left side is a welcome banner with a link to the Getting Started Guide. Below the banner are shortcuts to system and account management tasks.
Your gateway to the the power of the Userful Manager tool -- The Toolbox -- can be found on the left side of the Home Page as well.
My Userful Manager Account
Configure your own Userful Manager account settings using the My Account control panel. Click the Edit button from the My Account screen to change your screen name, password, or e-mail address.
Click here on the navigation bar to access details of your Userful Manager Account.
Your Userful Manager Account details can be accessed two ways:
1. From the Home Page, on the left side under "Account Information", click on the 'Your member account details' link.
2. From any Userful Manager page, once logged in, click on your Member (user) Name on the upper left, in the navigation bar.
Note: None of the information associated with your account is visible to users.
The Toolbox
The Userful Manager Toolbox, with links highlighted for emphasis.
From The Toolbox on the Userful Manager home page, you can:
1. Access the Remote Monitoring and Control portal, which allows real-time monitoring access to your Userful Desktops.
2. Go to the the Solutions Catalog, which is a quick and easy way to create your Userful Desktop Solution, using pre-configured solutions as starting points.
3. Use the the Solutions Designer to modify and customize your Desktop solutions.4. Open the Solutions Expert page (further information below, where you can
control most aspects of your Userful Desktop system.5. Download the latest Userful Desktop installation CD or DVD.6. Perform an SSH connection test to ensure your system is connected to Userful
The Solutions Expert page is the control center of Userful Manager; any function you wish to access, any task you wish to accomplish -- it can be found through the Solutions Expert Page. This section provides a quick overview of the page, and following sections describe many functions in detail -- but Userful encourages you to explore the possibilities of Userful Manager yourself, as well!
The Solutions Expert page gives access to most Userful Manager functions.
The functions on the Solutions Expert page are divided into 6 categories:
1. Assetso Manage Locations, set up Computers and configure Printers.
2. Pricing and Authenticationo Set rates for for paid access, apply print charges and put in a request for
custom integration of your desired authentication profiles.3. Solutions
o Control and manage your users' experience by configuring Welcome screens, adding custom branding and artwork, creating session profiles, creating and editing acceptable use policies, designing desktops for your sessions and establish web filtering profiles.
4. Actionso Generate usage reports, browse the Solutions Catalog, get creative with
the Solutions Designer, download an install disk, manage pre-paid cards and order materials and services from Userful.
5. Global settingso Add extra modules to your Userful system, control who can access
Userful Manager and manage system passwords.
Registering Your Userful Desktop
In most cases, your Userful Desktop installation will have been successfully registered during initial setup and configuration.
Click here to register your Userful Desktop.
If you have previously incorrectly registered your Userful Desktop, or if you have been instructed by Userful Customer Support to re-register, follow these steps:
1. Enter Administrator Mode by using the Ctrl-Alt-A key combination and entering your Administrator Password.
2. Double-click on the folder labeled "Advanced Tools" to open it. 3. Double-click on the "Register System with Userful Manager" icon. 4. Userful Manager will open. Follow the on-screen prompts and directions to
register or re-register your Userful Desktop System.
Configuring Core Userful Desktop Components
While Userful Manager offers many ways to configure and monitor Userful Desktop computers, five core components must be configured in order for the Userful Desktop to operate correctly.
Once you have configured your desktops using the following guidelines, you must update your system configurations.
1. Location & Operating Hours: Defines the times when the Userful Desktops are available at each location or branch.
2. Usage Agreements: Usage Agreements ensure that users agree to terms of use before being granted access to the Userful Desktop.
3. Desktop Profiles: Desktop Profiles contain information about various desktop environments, such as which program icons appear on the desktop as well as which programs will automatically be started upon log in.
4. Session Properties & Timing (Session Profiles): The Session Profiles defined here utilize the various configuration options offered by Userful Desktop (such as Usage Agreements and Desktop Profiles) and combine them into Userful Desktop sessions that providers can offer to users. Some examples are Internet Kiosk sessions and Office Productivity sessions.
5. Welcome Screens: Welcome Screens provide a convenient way for users to choose their preferred language and Session Profile.
Default values for these five core components are set by Userful, and may have been modified already by the new account setup wizard accessible through Userful Manager.
It is recommended that each of the settings should be set up prior to installing/upgrading a Userful Desktop, or as soon as possible after installing a new Userful Desktop system. Typically, these settings will be shared by all Userful Desktops within a particular organization.
The following sections provide an ordered step-by-step overview of configuring essential settings.
Locations and Operating Hours
Locations are a way to group your Userful Desktops. You can have several locations in one building.
Locations and operating hours should be defined prior to configuring other options. From the Solutions Expert screen, click “Locations & Operating Hours”.
To create a new location, click “Create a new Location”. To edit the details about an existing location, click the name of the location you wish to alter. In both cases, a screen will ask you to supply or edit details about the location. Click “Save & Next >>” to proceed to the operating hours screen. You may also enter the Operating Hours screen directly by clicking on a location’s operating hours on the Locations & Operating Hours screen.
Setting hours of operation for your location.
On the Operating Hours screen, specify the opening hours (in the first column) and closing hours (in the second column) for each day of the week. Specifying “Closed” (at the head of each drop down list) for either the opening or closing hour for a particular day will set the entire day to “Closed”. Click “Save” to return to the Locations & Operating Hours screen.
Once locations and operating hours are defined, you may return to the Solutions Expert screen by clicking "Solutions Expert" on the navigation bar at the top of the screen.
Users must agree to Usage Agreements before accessing applications or the Internet on stations managed by Userful Manager. Usage Agreements are displayed after a user has chosen a session profile on the Welcome Screen. You may define and store any number of usage agreements, although each Session Profile may only display one Usage Agreement.
To create a new Usage Agreement, click on the "Create a new Usage Agreement" and complete the following steps:
1. Give a name to your usage agreement; the name of the agreement should be descriptive and meaningful to Userful Desktop administrators. Examples include “Internet Usage Agreement for adults” and “Computer access for juveniles”.
2. Select the language of your usage agreement from the pull-down menu. This version of the usage agreement will become the default usage agreement (but you can choose another translation as the default later if you wish).
3. Add the text of your Usage Agreement into the Usage Agreement field. You may copy and paste this text from a word processor, email message or other document.
When you click on the name of a Usage agreement, this screen appears, allowing you to edit existing agreements or add a new translation.
To edit an existing agreement or add a translation of an agreement, click on the name of the Usage Agreement.
From the "Usage Agreement &, Translations" page (see figure at right), choose the language of an existing agreement from the pull-down menu.
If you choose the default language, click on the "Edit" button to edit the text, or the "Add Translation" button to supply the text of an appropriate translation.
If you choose one of the non-default translations, you may choose to "Edit". "Add Translation" or "Delete" the text.
If you want to make a translated Usage Agreement the default, you must "Edit" the agreement. Then on the Edit page, place a checkmark in the "Default" box.
The main Desktop Profile page lists available profiles and allows you to create a new Desktop Profile.
Desktop Profiles allow Userful Desktop administrators to configure the program icons that appear on the desktop, in the start menu, and to specify programs that are automatically started when users log in. A Desktop Profile is one of the customizable elements that make up a Session Profile.
To set Desktop Profiles, from the Solutions Expert click “Desktop Profiles”. You may create any number of Desktop Profiles, although each Session Profile many only use one Desktop Profile. For information on activating the 'Lock Desktop' feature, see below.
To create a new profile, click “Create a new Desktop Profile” on the Desktop Profiles screen. To edit an existing profile, click the name of the profile. The new profile and profile editing screens contain a number of configurable options under the following tabs:
1. Default Programso Desktop Profile Name. Each profile should be given a descriptive name
that is meaningful to computer administrators.o Enable SCIM for All Languages. For Userful Desktop releases greater
than or equal to 305, SCIM (Smart Common Input Method) allows users to input characters in other languages.
o Web Browser. Select a default web browser.2. Software Applications. Choose what program(s) will be automatically started
when a user logs into this profile. 3. Desktop Icons
o Program Icons. Select which program icons will appear on the desktop when a user logs into this profile.
o Custom URL Link Icons. You can load a custom icon that will launch the default web browser and automatically navigate to a page of your choice.
4. Start Menu. Optionally, you may customize the Start Menu so that different applications are presented in different Sessions through the Desktop Profile.
Remember to click “Save” to save your changes.
Activating the 'Lock Station' Feature
Adding the 'Lock Station' icon to a Desktop Profile.
To enable patrons to leave their stations for a short time without abandoning their sessions, Activate the 'Lock Station' feature:
1. From the 'Solutions Expert' page, go to 'Desktop Profiles'.2. Click on the name of the Desktop Profile to be edited (that is, to have the Lock
Station feature activated).3. To add the Lock Station icon to the desktop:
1. Click on the 'Desktop Icons' tab.2. Highlight 'Lock Station' in the list of 'Program icons to add to Desktop'.
(See figure at right.)4. To add the Lock Station icon to the Start Menu:
1. Click on the 'Start Menu' tab. 2. Click to add a check mark to the box next to 'Enable Lock Station Item'.
Session Profiles are defined in the “Session Properties & Timing” control panel.
A Session Profile is a collection of settings related to a particular use of a station. A Session Profile includes a Name, Welcome Screen icon, browser start page, and other options. The Welcome Screen lists the Session Profiles available at a particular station.
The Session Profiles & Timing page lists existing sessions (with key information) and also allows you to create a new Session Profile.
Session Profiles are typically based on either the basic Kiosk or Desktop, but Administrators can also create Application profiles.
Kiosk profiles are intended to provide quick access to web sites and web-based applications such as catalogue searches or email.
Desktop profiles are intended to be used for activities such as word processing, job searches and other tasks which require access to a set of applications.
Application profiles specify a profile that only allows a specific application to run, or allows users to login to a specific system.
Userful Desktop includes several default profiles that are designed and pre-tested for maximum usability. If you are unsure which settings are best for your users, we suggest that you deviate minimally from these profiles.
Click “Session Properties and Timing” from the main Userful Manager screen to view and configure these settings. To create a new profile, click Create a new Session Profile. To edit an existing profile, click the name of the profile. When creating a new Session Profile, the first screen asks you to choose either the basic Kiosk or Desktop type of profile to proceed.
Desktop Profiles are intended to provide users with the experience of a home or office PC. The settings most often customized in Desktop Profiles are:
Name: This is the name of the Session Profile as it appears on the user Welcome Screen.
Welcome Screen Icon: This icon appears next to the name of the Session Profile on the Welcome Screen.
Browser Start Page: Use this to set the home page for the Web browser in this profile.
Usage Agreement: You may assign a different usage agreement to each profile. Note: A Usage Agreement must be set up before it is available for use in a Session Profile.
Session Length: Be sure to set an appropriate session length for each profile. For example, a Session length for resume-building should be longer than one for quick searches.
Desktop Profile: Desktop Profiles allow you to configure which applications appear on the desktop and start menu. The Default Desktop Profile provides links to the most commonly used applications.
Note: You must set up a Desktop Profile prior to assigning it to a Session Profile.
Remember to click “Save” to save your changes.
Kiosk Settings
The Kiosk mode shares many characteristics with the desktop mode, with the exception of the Desktop Profile setting. Instead, Kiosk mode offers settings which determine the appearance and functionality of the web browser. Note that Kiosk mode does not allow users to run applications outside the web browser.
The following settings are most commonly altered from their default values in Kiosk mode:
Block Popups/Windowed Mode: If your web applications use popup windows, popups must not be blocked, and Windowed Mode must be enabled. Blocking popups and disabling Windowed Mode are recommended defaults.
Show Print Button: If users need to print such as maps or tickets from the web browser, enable this option to show a print button in the browser. If printing is not required, or no printers are set up, disable this option. Note that printers must be configured separately. See Chapter 4 for details.
Block Context Menu and Keyboard Navigation: This option disables navigation using anything other than the browser’s navigation buttons and web links.
Hiding various toolbars: Toolbars such as the status or menu bars may be shown or hidden depending on the extent of access required by users.
Remember to click “Save” to save your changes.
Application Profile Settings
Because of the limited nature of this type of session, the options for configuration are also limited. The most important setting for the Application Profile is:
Session Type: Specify whether the session will run a single application, or a user login. You will need to enter a command to launch either function.
Remember to click “Save” to save your changes.
Welcome Screens
A typical Welcome Screen showing 6 Session Profiles.
The Welcome Screen is the first screen seen by users at a station. Configurable aspects include the listed Session Profiles, background image branding and available languages. Each Welcome Screen must have a name and refer to at least one Session Profile. The figure at right shows a typical Welcome Screen for Userful Desktop.
Note: You must set up a Session Profile prior to assigning it to a Welcome Screen.
To set up a new Welcome Screen from Userful Manager:
1. Click “Welcome Screens” from the Solutions Expert. 2. Click “Create a new Welcome Screen”. (To edit an existing Welcome Screen,
click on the its name. To delete an existing Welcome Screen click the delete icon at its right.)
To add a Session Profile to the Welcome Screen, use the drop-down menu (indicated by the arrow).
3. Each Welcome Screen must have a name and contain at least one Session Profile. Add a Session Profile to the current Welcome Screen by selecting its name from the drop-down list and clicking “Add this profile to the Welcome Screen”.
4. To change the order in which Session Profiles appear on the Welcome Screen, or to delete them from the Welcome Screen, click the up, down and delete icons next to each Session Profile.
5. On the Edit Welcome Screen page, you can also configure the Early End of Day Logout, set a Desktop Background, choose a Screen Saver and create the Welcome Screen Animation and Message. You may also add and configure languages to the list presented in the lower right corner of the Welcome Screen.
After a computer has been registered, it will appear in the list on the Computers page. You can set up the profile for the computer by clicking on its name.
Click 'Computers' on the Solutions Expert page to configure computers. Computers may be added during the Userful Desktop installation by completing the registration step, or at any time after installation by double-clicking the Register Computer icon on the Administrator Mode desktop.
Click the name of a computer to alter its settings on the Edit Computer screen.
For basic configuration of a computer, you need to:
1. Set the Computer Name and Location, which can be found under the "Basic Settings" tab.
2. Choose the Welcome Screen (under the "Stations" tab) for the group of stations connected to this computer. Note: You must set up a Welcome Screen prior to assigning it to a computer.
3. Select the Printers.that will be available for users.4. Configure Removable Storage. If your central computer is located in a secured
area away from users, we suggest disabling access to the internal CD and floppy drives.
5. Configure Public Storage options.
Hint: User signage with instructions on how to use removable storage will enhance productivity.
The default settings under Network settings and Boot menu and BIOS password should not be altered without first consulting your IT staff or Userful Support.
Click Save to save your changes.
Station Numbering
Set a new starting value for station numbering in the "Begin Numbering at..." box.
By default, Userful Desktop numbers stations automatically and sequentially, beginning with the number 1. For example, if there are 8 stations on a single computer, they will be labelled Station 1 through Station 8.
In some situations, it may be desirable have station numbers starting at a value other than 1. For example, if one computer with 6 stations is already installed at your location, and you add another computer with 6 stations, you may want the new stations to be numbered 7-12.
You can changed the value that station number starts at from the 'Edit Computer' page. This is reached by clicking on 'Computers' from the Solutions Expert, then clicking on the name of a computer.
Note: If you change the default numbering of stations on any computer, you must reboot the computer after updating its configuration.
Updating Configurations
Applying configuration.
For any changes in Userful Manager to take effect on Userful Desktop computers, you must update computers in the “Computers” control panel. From the Solutions Expert, click “Computers”. The far right column deals with configuration updates. Click to add a check mark to the “Apply Configuration” check box next to any central computer boxes you wish to update. Then click the "Apply Configuration button". The configuration changes will be applied the next time the Userful Desktop retrieves information from the Userful Manager server (this happens every four hours).
Should you wish to immediately see the effects of your changes, press "Ctrl-Alt-U" on the Userful Desktop machines that are to be updated (you only need to do this on one station per machine). You may also enter Administrator Mode on the Userful Desktop (press “Ctl+Alt+A” and then enter the Administrator Mode password) and double click the “Update Configuration” icon on the desktop.
This completes basic computer configuration. The following sections describe configuration options that may not apply to all Userful Desktop installations.
Multi-language configuration
Userful Desktop has application support for over 30 languages including French, Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Spanish, and input support for over 10 languages including Chinese Simplified and Traditional, Japanese, Korean and Arabic. Userful Desktop also supports 17 additional keyboard layouts in addition to the standard North American QWERTY layout.
Userful Manager can be used to modify the level of internationalization and multilingual features offered to users through Userful Desktop.
Keyboard Layouts and Foreign Input Methods
File:UDKeyboardLayouts.pngCurrently, only the 'Default Keyboard Layout' will be available to users.
Keyboard layouts provide support for different kinds of keyboards such as QWERTY, DVORAK, French, Romanian, etc. These layouts, or mappings, map different letters or characters to different keys on the keyboard.
To change the keyboard layout for a Userful Desktop computer (and all its associated stations):
1. Go to the Solutions Expert in Userful Manager. 2. Click on 'Computers', then click on the name of the computer that is to
have a different keyboard layout. 3. Choose the keyboard Layouts tab. Use the drop-down menu to change
the Default Keyboard Layout to the desired keyboard layout.
Note: Currently, Userful Desktop does not support offering users a choice of keyboard layouts through 'Alternative Keyboard Layouts'.
Only the keyboard layout selected as the 'Default Keyboard Layout' will be available to users.
Foreign Input methods tell the computer how to translate keyboard input into more complex language scripts (such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean). This does not necessarily change the mapping of keys on the keyboard. This is typically used for languages that do not use English/Latin characters.
To learn how to set up Userful Desktop's multi-lingual input features, please contact Customer Support or your Userful Sales Representative.
Multilingual Display Support
Userful Desktop includes a default set of translated menus, icons and applications for many languages selectable from the Welcome Screen. The extent of translation varies among languages and applications, with common languages receiving the most extensive translation. Where translations are incomplete, all available translated material will be displayed with remaining untranslated items rendered in English.
Using Multilingual Display Support
Selecting a display language from the welcome screen.
Userful Desktop users can start sessions in different languages by selecting a particular language from the multilingual drop-down menu on the lower right-hand corner of the Welcome Screen, prior to clicking on a Session.
Once a language has been selected, if the language has translations of the Session Names available, those will be displayed instead. If none exist, the default name will appear with a trailing * appearing after the name.
Clicking on a session will start the session in that language, and any translated desktop icons and menus that are available for that particular language will appear on the desktop when the user logs in. Furthermore, if the user tries to launch an application (for example, the Internet Browser or the Word Processor), if the application has support for the current running language, the application will display itself using that language, depending on the level of support for the current language. This may include translated menus and even translated help files, if available.
Configuring Languages Offered on the Welcome Screen
Configuring the List of Available Languages appearing in the Welcome Screen menu in Userful Desktop Through Userful Manager.
Userful Manager can be used to select which languages are available to be displayed to users of Userful Desktop.
To configure the list of languages appearing on a particular Welcome Screen's drop-down menu, access the properties page for that particular Welcome Screen in Userful Manager. Under the “Languages” section, choose the language that you would like to offer as a choice from the drop-down menu, then click the “Add” button. To delete a language from that list, simply click on the Trash Can icon that appears to the right of the language once it appears in the list.
When done, click “Save”.
Translating the Acceptable Usage Policy
Type or paste a translation of the Acceptable Use Policy into the text box.
The Acceptable Usage Policy can also be configured to display translations of its text for particular languages. If no translations are provided, the text for the Acceptable Usage Policy that was supplied when it was initially created will appear instead, regardless of the language selected.
To supply translations of a specific Acceptable Usage Policy, access that policy's properties page (by clicking on the highlighted name of the AUP) under the “Usage Agreements” section of the Solutions Expert page. Select a language that you wish to supply a translation for from that section's multilingual drop-down menu, and then click on “Add Translation”. Enter text (or paste plain text) into the translation text box. Click 'Save' when you are done.
After updating your Userful Desktop's configuration, the translated text will appear if that language is chosen from the Welcome Screen's multilingual drop-down menu in Userful Desktop, and if Acceptable Usage Policies are enabled for that Welcome Screen.
Translating Session Profile Names
Adding a French Translation to the 'Internet and Office' Session Name. Note that the original Session Name now appears as the English Translation.
By default, a Session Name will use the same name that it was initially created with for all other languages. To specify a particular translation of that name to be displayed when the language for that translation is selected from the Welcome Screen's multilingual drop-down menu, enter the Session Profile properties page for that particular Session Name in Userful Manager (from the Solutions Expert, click 'Session Profiles & Timing' and then click on the Session Name.
If no translations for the Session's Name have been previously provided, click on the “Go Multilingual” button under the “Name” field in the “Basic Settings” section. This will display an interface asking a translation for the Session's name (as seen at right), as well as the language to which the translation belongs to. Once done, click the “Add” button to add it to the list of available translations for the Session's name. To delete a translated name from the list, simply click on the Trash Can icon to the right of the particular name.
When done, click “Save” at the bottom of the screen.
Note: Different Home Pages for the Internet Browser can be configured for each language available in a session by supplying different URLs for those languages in the “Browser Home Page” option. Doing so requires interacting with an interface similar to the one described above, which can be invoked by clicking on the “Go
Multilingual” button for the “Browser Home Page” option.
Advanced Userful Manager Configuration
Though not required for the correct operation of Userful Desktop computers, advanced configuration options may greatly enhance the value of your Userful Desktop purchase. Unlike the core Userful Manager configuration, the following options may be set at any time in any order.
Providing Desktop User Help Files
Opening the 'Help' folder on a session desktop provides access to several helpful documents on a variety of topics.
Save staff time and provide answers to users' frequently-asked questions by providing links to "Help" files on the Session desktop. A number of documents from Userful's Support Wiki -- on topics including 'CD Burning', Photo Editing with GIMP and more can be reached directly from the user desktop.
To make these links available to Users, go to "Desktop Profiles" from the Solutions Expert page. Click on the name of the desired profile (i.e. the profile used for the session which is to have User Help added) to edit. Under the "Desktop Icons" tab, highlight "Applications Help" in the list of 'Program icons to add to Desktop'.
Remember to click "Save" when you are finished making changes.
Using Web Filtering Profiles
Click on this icon from the Solutions Expert Page to configure Web Filtering Profiles.
Web Filtering Profiles allow you to create different levels of filtering for different user groups. (Web Filtering Profiles are selected and applied from the Session Profiles control panel).) To configure Web Filtering Profiles, click on the icon on the Solutions Expert page.
Userful Manager comes with a set of standard filters that are ready for use. Administrators can also create custom web filters by adding URLs to the "White List" (users are always allowed access) or the "Black List" (users are denied access) and setting a Phrase Limit.
Click on the "Create a new Web Filter" button to make a new filter; click on an existing Web Filtering Profile name to edit that profile.
Remember to click "Save" when you are finished making changes.
While printers must be added and configured using the Print Configuration Tool on the Administrator Mode desktop, further setup is required through Userful Manager. Please refer to Adding a Printer for details.
Print Payment Policy
Create and edit print payment policies from the Print Control Page.
If you have printers installed on your Userful Desktop, the Print Payment Policy determines pricing for print jobs from Userful Desktops. To set the Print Payment Policy, from the main Userful Manager screen, click 'Print Control'.
Each configurable setting is explained in detail on the Edit Print Payment Policy page. You should avoid the use of non-printable characters such as carriage returns in print payment policies.
Remember to click 'Save' to save your changes.
Charging for Access Time
If you are looking for a way to earn extra revenue, you can charge for computer/internet access time. Set rates and minimum charges for computer use on the 'Usage Pricing' page, accessible from the Solutions Expert Page.
Note: Rates set on the Usage Pricing page are only applied to users who are using Pre-Paid cards.
Artwork and Brandings
The Artwork & Brandings panel allows you to customize the appearance of your Userful Desktops by uploading custom desktop backgrounds, Welcome Screen animations and screen saver images.
To view and upload these items, from the Solutions Expert screen, click 'Artwork & Brandings'.
View and edit currently available artwork, or add your own customized, branded artwork for Desktop Backgrounds, Welcome Screen Backgrounds, and Screen Savers.
From the Upload Artwork for Branding screen, you may view, edit and upload desktop backgrounds, Welcome Screen backgrounds and screen saver images. To view current desktop backgrounds, click 'View Desktop Backgrounds' from the Artwork & Brandings main page. The list of current desktop backgrounds contains a preview of each desktop background image, as well as lists of all the Welcome Screens in which the image is used. Click the image of an existing desktop background or the 'Edit' button next to it to change the name of the image. To delete a desktop background, click the 'Delete' button next to the desktop background image.
To upload a new desktop background, click Upload a new Desktop Background from either the main 'Artwork & Brandings' page, or from the 'Desktop Backgrounds' screen. Supply a name for the new desktop background, then click 'Browse...' to select an image file to upload. Click 'Upload' to upload the image. The new desktop background will appear in the list of available desktop backgrounds, which is sorted alphabetically by description.
Screen Saver images or Animations and Welcome Screen Backgrounds are configured in the same way as desktop backgrounds.
Once you have uploaded custom artwork, you may assign it to given profiles with other tools from the Solutions Expert page.
Note: Uploaded desktop backgrounds and screen saver images must be in .jpg, .tif, .gif, or .png file formats. Welcome Screen pictures must be JPEG files, preferably with dimensions of 1048x868 pixels.
User Groups & Authentication
Each Authentication Profile defines a way to verify the credentials of users prior to granting access to the Userful Desktop. There is a charge associated with integrating an authentication profile with your environment. Please complete the form and consult your Userful representative for instructions on how to configure these settings should you require authentication services.
Note: These settings should not be changed after your system has been integrated to work with your ILS.
Access Manager
The Access Manager is reached from the Solutions Expert Page.
Use this control panel to create and configure user accounts for individuals to whom you wish to grant access to Userful Manager. The access level granted to a user determines the extent to which they may configure Userful Desktop computers through UM.
Note: Only administrators may access this control panel.
The Access Manager is under the "Global Settings" section of the Solutions Expert page.
Creating a New User Account.
Click 'Create a new User Account' or the name of an existing user account to configure the settings for that user.
Read only - Grants the user the ability to view settings in UM.Read/write - Grants the ability to modify settings in UM.Administrator - Grants read/write access, and the ability to manage user accounts.
Remember to click 'Save' to save your changes.
System Passwords
System Passwords are accessed under Global Settings on the Solutions Expert page.
To configure System Passwords, from the Solutions Expert page click 'System Passwords'.
The first configuration screen, Step 1: Edit Passwords, allows you to configure passwords used to access administrative functions to Userful Desktop computers managed by Userful Manager. Described below are the functions which require passwords, and their access key combinations:
Administrator Password (Ctrl+Alt+A) - Provides access to key administrator resources such as network settings.
Staff Password - Provides access to a subset of Userful Desktop functionality for managing stations.
Time Password (Ctrl+Alt+T) - Extends the length of a session in progress. Filter Password (Ctrl+Alt+F) - Turns off filtering for the remainder of the
session. Reboot Password (Ctrl+Alt+R) - Schedules a system reboot the next time all
users are logged out.
After changing passwords, click 'Save & Continue'. In Step 2, it is recommended that e-mails be sent to administrative personnel in your organization to notify them of these password changes.
Adding Extra Modules
There are a number of add-ons availble for Userful Desktop. Please contact your Userful sales representative for more information about subscribing to extra modules.
The Solutions Catalog lets you choose from several pre-designed sets of Welcome Screens and Sessions.
The core of the Userful Desktop experience for your clients consists of a Welcome Screen and it's associated Sessions. For your convenience, Userful has created several Welcome Screen/Session 'Solutions' that you can simply load and use at your locations. These Solutions are found in the Solutions Catalog, accessible from either the Userful Manager Home page or from the Solutions Expert page under 'Add Solutions'.
Hint: Pre-made Solutions can be good starting points when customizing your own solutions.
The Solutions Designer
The Solutions Designer offers a simple way to preview and customize Solutions for your Userful Desktop, based on profiles from the Solutions Catalog. To create your own unique solutions, follow these simple steps:
From the Solutions Designer, you can make several basic changes to customize a Welcome Screen for your needs.
1. Use the pull-down menu to choose which Welcome Screen to customize. o Note: if your desired welcome screen does not appear on the list, simply
click on the "Add" button located under Step 3 on the Solutions Designer: Preview page. This will open the Solutions Catalog; choose the Welcome Screen(s) you wish to edit, and click "Copy Solution(s). The Welcome Screens you selected will now appear on the pull-down list.
2. The Welcome Screen you chose to view/edit appears on the computer screen graphic. You may click on Session names on the screenshot to preview individual sessions.
3. Use the "Edit" button to change the Solution name, background image, default language and more (See figure at right).
4. Go directly to your list of computers to build configurations.
The Solutions Designer is accessible from either the Userful Manager Home page or from the Solutions Expert page under 'Design Your Desktops'.
To get more information from a basic Usage Report, click on the highlighted links to view detailed sub-reports.
Usage Reports give you detailed data and statistics on how your computers are being used. You can customize reports by choosing the machines/locations and time period you would like your report on.
From the basic report (see figure at right) you can access more details by clicking on any of the highlighted, boxed links.
You can reach Usage Reports from either the Userful Manager Home page or from the Solutions Expert page under 'View Usage Reports'.
Download Install Disks
The link to Download your Free Userful Desktop Install Disk can be found on the Userful Manager Home page and the Solutions Expert page.
Manage Pre-Paid Cards
Click on this icon from the Solutions Expert page to Manage Pre-Paid Cards.
Userful makes it easy to earn revenue by charging for computer/internet access time by offering Pre-Paid cards that you can sell to your customers.
Customers log onto your Userful Desktop system using the card, and their fee is automatically deducted from their Pre-Paid card. Please contact your Userful Sales Representative for more information.
If you are using the Pre-Paid card system, go to the Solutions Expert page to 'Manage Prepaid Cards'.
Access the Userful Store
From the Solutions Expert Page, click on "Place Orders" to go to the Userful Store -- an online shop for all your Userful software, hardware and accessory needs.
Remote Monitoring and Control PortalNote that this chapter is available separately at the Manuals/UD/Remote Monitoring & Control User Guide page.
Remote Monitoring & Control is the companion administrative tool to Userful Manager. While Userful Manager allows remote configuration of global features of the system (such as session types, branding, etc.), Remote Monitoring & Control (RMC) allows remote administration of individual workstations or multi-user sessions. RMC allows administrators to remotely perform such useful tasks as turning filtering or Internet access off and on, extending or ending sessions, sending messages, more effectively rebooting frozen sessions, and other tasks.
The Remote Monitoring & Control Portal
In most installations, you can access Remote Monitoring & Control from any web browser on the local computer network at the following address: http://0.0.0.0/gui.php, replacing '0.0.0.0' with the IP address of the Userful Desktop you wish to access.
When logged in at a Userful Desktop, access the Remote Monitoring & Control portal by opening http://127.0.0.1/gui.php in the browser.
Enter the appropriate username and password, and click the login button. Note that this login is not the email address and password used to log into Userful Manager.
Using Remote Monitoring & Control
Figure 7.1. Computer and stations in Remote Monitoring & Control.
After logging in to the Remote Monitoring & Control portal you will be presented with a view of available computers and stations on the local network and the number of stations on each multi-user system.
Each unique computer box running Userful Desktop will be displayed running down the left side of the window; the stations running on that box will appear to its right.
If you are remotely administering more than one multiplied system, graphics for additional computers will appear below; the entire contents of the window in Figure 7.1. are duplicated for each additional computer, separated by horizontal lines. They can be viewed by scrolling down the page.
Commands for Computers
Figure 7.2. Remote Monitoring & Control commands for computers.
While Remote Monitoring & Control is designed primarily to administer stations, it can also perform administrative tasks on the computer boxes. Figure 7.2 shows the pull-
down menu of available commands for each computer box. After selecting a command, click the Run Command button below the menu to execute it.
Note: The list of available commands may differ depending on login privileges and Userful Desktop configuration options.
Working With Stations
Figure 7.3. Detailed station status.
Each station connected to a given computer is represented by a box containing an image of a computer monitor, a checkbox to select that station, the station name/number and some text indicating the session status of the station.
You may view the status details of any particular station by clicking on its name/number.
Right-clicking on a station brings up a subset of frequently used, station-specific commands (e.g. “Add 10 Minutes”, “Message ‘Be quiet!’”, “Reset Station”) that you can quickly and easily apply to that station. Note: For versions of RMC older than Remote Monitoring & Control GUI 0.8.1a BETA (2007-03-12), these same commands are accessed by clicking Expand.
See below for how to access a larger set of commands, and/or how to apply commands to more than one station at a time.
Figure 7.4. Remote Monitoring & Control commands for stations.
Further down the page, below the window containing the computer box and its associated stations, there is a heading Run the following command on selected stations. Immediately below that is the -SELECT A COMMAND- drop-down menu for station commands, as illustrated in Figure 7.4.
To run a command on one, a combination, or all of the stations associated with a single computer:
1. Either "Select All" or select the specific stations you wish to affect using the checkboxes.
2. Choose a command from the drop-down menu o Some command require you to enter specific additional information. For
example, the text for a customized message (see example below) must be specifically entered.
3. Select the Run Command button.
NOTE: It is recommended that, initially, you observe the results by administering a nearby station, and NOT run commands on the station from which Remote Monitoring & Control is running.
Example: Send Custom Messages
1. Select the appropriate station(s) to receive the message using the ‘Select’ checkboxes or, if appropriate, the ‘Select All’ checkbox.
2. Once the ‘Send Message’ command is selected a field appears to the right into which your custom message is typed. Type in your message.
3. Click the ‘Run Command’ located below the ‘Send Message’ field. The following message appears on the logged in and selected stations:
1. Select the appropriate station or stations. 2. Select the ‘Add Time’ command from the drop down menu.
3. Enter the amount of additional time in minutes. 4. Click ‘Run Command’. The station’s user will receive the following message:
Reset Station vs. Hard Reset
Both the Reset Station and the Hard Reset commands are located in the station-specific command drop-down menu.
The "Reset Station" command is essentially equivalent to a “Ctrl+Alt+Del” keyboard command, with the advantage that it can performed remotely.
The command “Hard Reset” is used when the “Reset Station” (or “Ctrl+Alt+Del” keyboard command) fail to reset a station. It "Hard Reset" resets the station at a deeper level in the software.
Common Tasks
A number of common time-saving tasks may be performed using Remote Monitoring & Control.
1. Select one or more stations to log in by clicking the checkbox associated with the stations.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page, then select "Log In Station as Generic User" from the list of commands.
3. Select login options, then click "Run Command"4. The login process will start for each selected station. Depending on the number
of stations selected, you may need to wait up to a minute for all stations to become logged in.
NOTE: Logging in without providing a barcode/pin combination using the above method may cause reporting tools to under-report usage by individual users. Time used while logged in as a generic user is not recorded as individual use by any specific user.
Logging in Multiple Stations Simultaneously
Remote Monitoring & Control offers the ability to log in and out multiple Userful Desktops at one time.
1.
Figure 7.5 Click "Select All" to select all stations on one computer.
For each computer on which all stations should be logged in, click "Select All" above the stations associated with that computer. You may also select or deselect individual stations by clicking their individual checkboxes. (See Figure
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page, then select "Log In User" from the list of commands.
3. If authentication is enabled, supply a valid barcode or barcode and PIN combination. All stations will be logged in using these credentials.
4. Select login options, then click "Run Command".5. The login process will start for each selected station. Depending on the number
of stations selected, you may need to wait up to a minute for all stations to become logged in.
Remote Monitoring & Control FAQs
For further information and answers to Frequently Asked Questions, please refer to our Remote Monitoring and Control FAQs.
TroubleshootingThis section presents solutions to the most commonly encountered troubleshooting tasks. For a comprehensive list of troubleshooting tips, please visit http://support.userful.com.
General Troubleshooting
Keyboard does not work
Press the “Caps Lock” or “Num Lock” key. Do the corresponding LEDs illuminate or turn off?
If not, re-connect (disconnect and reconnect the keyboard). If this still does not resolve the problem there is possibly a problem with the keyboard or the USB port. Try a different keyboard, or try the problem keyboard at a different Station.
If the "Caps Lock" light illuminates in response to your key presses but the keyboard does not work:
o Restart the station (Ctrl+Alt+Del)o Unlink and re-assign the keyboard (Ctrl+Alt+Break) then press the
correct F-key to re-link (this is in case this keyboard has been mis-assigned)
o Unlink and re-assign all keyboards connected to the machine (in case another keyboard has been mis-assigned)
o Use Remote Monitoring and Control from another station or computer and perform a Hard Reset.
o Reboot the computer (or schedule a reboot from Admin Mode using another station)
Single station frozen
If the display is frozen in an abnormal state or part way through an operation, press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart that station. However if the station appears to be in a normal state (e.g., either the welcome screen, desktop or web browser or screensaver appears to be displaying normally) but the keyboard/mouse does not respond, it is most likely that the keyboard has disconnected. See “Keyboard does not work”, above.
If the above methods do not reset the station, press Ctrl+Alt+Backspace to forcefully stop and restart the station.
All stations frozen
Shut down the Userful Desktop by pressing and holding the power button for four seconds. Press and release the power button to restart the Userful Desktop.
Mouse does not work
Is the laser (red light on the bottom of the optical mouse) illuminated? If not, try disconnecting and re-connecting the mouse. If this fails follow the instructions for troubleshooting keyboards.
The station is working (the cursor moves) but Ctrl+Alt+Del/A/R/F/T do not work
An active menu (created by a right-click or pull down) steals the key-press. Close the menu and try again.
Userful Desktop will not turn on
Turn off the switch on the computer (at the back of the computer; the I/O (power) switch has a circle on one side and a line on the other. Pressing the side with the circle turns the power OFF.), or unplug and reconnect the power cord. Then retry the power button to turn on the Userful Desktop again. If the computer still shows no sign of life but the wall plug is working the problem may be a faulty PC power supply. Contact Userful for support.
Power button does not turn off the computer
Press and hold the power button (typically on the front or top of the computer) for at least ten seconds. If this does not work, turn off the power switch on the computer (at the back of the computer; the I/O (power) switch has a circle on one side and a line on the other. Pressing the side with the circle turns the power OFF.) and unplug the power cord from the back of the computer. Wait 10 seconds, then reconnect the power.
One monitor receives no signal
Check that the monitor cable is firmly connected to the correct VGA port on the back of the computer and any extension cables. Also ensure that thumb screws have been tightened.
Userful Desktop will not print
See Managing the Print Queue and Printer Troubleshooting.
Foreign fonts do not work
Please refer to Section 2.6, Using Foreign Input.
Frequent unexpected reboot or freezing
These may be symptoms of hardware failure. Please contact Customer Support.
Appendix A - GlossaryAdministrator Mode: Provides access to configuration functions from a Userful Desktop. To access this, start any session and press the CTRL, ALT and A keys simultaneously and then enter the Administrator Mode password.
BIOS Menu: Configures basic settings when the computer is powered on. To access this menu, press F2 or the Delete key approximately one second after the computer is powered on.
Boot Device: A storage device that the computer loads software from after it is powered on. Examples of boot devices are hard drives, CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drives and floppy drives.
Boot Device Priority: The sequence of the devices which the computer will follow in its attempts to start. If one device is unavailable, the computer will try to use the next device in the sequence. This sequence is specified in the BIOS menu.
Default Gateway: The computer or network device responsible for allowing computers on an internal network to communicate with networks on the outside world such as the Internet.
Desktop Profile: Allows Userful Desktop administrators to configure the program icons that appear on the desktop as well as the programs that will be run when users log in.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol): Used to automatically assign IP addresses to computers without having to manually specify IP address, netmask, gateway and DNS information. This is the most common way to set Userful Desktop’s IP address, and is provided by most networks and Internet Service Providers.
DNS (Domain Name Server): Responsible for translating names (for example, www.userful.com) into IP addresses.
IP Address: An identifier for a computer or device on a network or the Internet. An IP address takes the form ###.###.###.### where ### can be any number between 0 to 255.
Userful Manager: The web interface used to configure settings on Userful Desktops.
Organizational Account: A Userful Manager account for organizations (for example, libraries). Userful Manager User Accounts are linked to Organizational Accounts.
Optical Drive: Used to access optical discs. Examples of optical discs are CDs and DVDs.
Proxy Server: A machine that sits between computers in an internal network and the outside world. Primarily used for filtering Internet content.
Remote Monitoring and Control (formerly DiscoverAssist): A web portal to manage Userful Desktops in real time. e.g. send users messages, give them more time etc.
Session Profile: A collection of settings related to a particular use of a station. A Session Profile includes a Name, Welcome Screen icon, browser start page, and many other options.
Static IP Address: An IP address that is specified manually for a computer or device and therefore does not change automatically.
Subnet Mask: Used to determine which network a computer belongs to.
User Account: An account a person uses to interface with Userful Manager. User Accounts can be linked to one or many Userful Manager Organizational Accounts.
Welcome Screen: Lists the Session Profiles available at a particular station. Users can choose a session to use as well as the language they wish the session to appear in.
The ‘Install Packages’ tool in Administrator Mode is used to add and remove optional Userful Desktop software packages.
1. Under ‘Advanced Tools’ on the Administration Mode desktop, double-click the Install Packages icon to open the Install Packages tool.
2. Click the "Available" button3. Check the box next to each package to be installed. 4. Click the ‘Process Queue’ button on the lower right of the Installer window.5. Click OK as required.
You can select other repositories in the Install Packages tool interface.
Repeat this process on every Userful Desktop multi-user computer or single user computer that requires the additional software. To remove software packages added by yourself or another Userful Desktop Administrator, follow the above process but click "Installed" instead in step 2 and uncheck boxes in step 3.
WARNING: Only remove and install packages previously added by yourself or another Userful Desktop administrator. If you accidentally remove a critical component, you may need to perform a reinstallation of Userful Desktop.
