In December we announced that we were beginning to roll out SCLS-supported staff PCs with Windows 10. We're happy to announce that we will soon begin deploying public PCs with Windows 10, too!
We'll pilot test the new configuration at a library beginning in April. The basic setup will be very similar to previous public PCs, but with updated versions of the operating system and included programs. There will also be some more noticeable changes for public PCs with Windows 10:
- The Edge browser will replace Firefox. This one is a biggie and could generate questions from patrons. Because Firefox doesn't have an easy way to manage it centrally,
in the past we had to create custom scripts and tweaks to customize and maintain it on public PCs. Given its decrease in market share (desktop, mobile/tablet), it made sense to replace Firefox with a browser that can be managed centrally. This will still leave us with 3 browsers on public PCs: Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Edge.
- The LINKcat shortcut will open in Chrome. Instead of opening in Firefox, the LINKcat desktop shortcut will open in Chrome.
- No Ancestry Library icon. Ancestry Library is a library-subscribed resource to which not all libraries subscribe, so we have removed the icon from public PCs. Patrons can continue to access Ancestry Library from library computers by clicking on links to it from the subscribing library's webpage or from the SCLS list of library-subscribed resources.
- Certain features are different on computers with MyPC:
- No "Restart for Privacy" icon. Patrons can instead use the "Lock or End Session" icon to log off, and the PC will automatically restart.
- No "incognito mode" for Chrome. Because MyPC computers reboot after each session, Chrome data will be cleared with a reboot.
- Windows Store is available. This is disabled on computers that don't automatically reboot after each user's session to protect patron privacy.
- Items in the "Pictures" folder display as thumbnails. Instead of a text-only listing, items in the Pictures folder will display as a thumbnail of the image.
- No screensaver. After being idle for 20 minutes, the display will shut off (this is not a change). Prior to that the display will be active with no screensaver kicking into action.
After a successful pilot, all public PCs that come through our offices that have a Windows 10 license will be deployed with Windows 10. This will help to keep us current and prevent the need for massive upgrades in the future as operating systems are retired.
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