diff --git a/sources/tech/20190502 Get started with Libki to manage public user computer access.md b/sources/tech/20190502 Get started with Libki to manage public user computer access.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..7c6f4b2746 --- /dev/null +++ b/sources/tech/20190502 Get started with Libki to manage public user computer access.md @@ -0,0 +1,61 @@ +[#]: collector: (lujun9972) +[#]: translator: ( ) +[#]: reviewer: ( ) +[#]: publisher: ( ) +[#]: url: ( ) +[#]: subject: (Get started with Libki to manage public user computer access) +[#]: via: (https://opensource.com/article/19/5/libki-computer-access) +[#]: author: (Don Watkins https://opensource.com/users/don-watkins/users/tony-thomas) + +Get started with Libki to manage public user computer access +====== +Libki is a cross-platform, computer reservation and time management +system. +![][1] + +Libraries, schools, colleges, and other organizations that provide public computers need a good way to manage users' access—otherwise, there's no way to prevent some people from monopolizing the machines and ensure everyone has a fair amount of time. This is the problem that [Libki][2] was designed to solve. + +Libki is an open source, cross-platform, computer reservation and time management system for Windows and Linux PCs. It provides a web-based server and a web-based administration system that staff can use to manage computer access, including creating and deleting users, setting time limits on accounts, logging out and banning users, and setting access restrictions. + +According to lead developer [Kyle Hall][3], Libki is mainly used for PC time control as an open source alternative to Envisionware's proprietary computer access control software. When users log into a Libki-managed computer, they get a block of time to use the computer; once that time is up, they are logged off. The default setting is 45 minutes, but that can easily be adjusted using the web-based administration system. Some organizations offer 24 hours of access before logging users off, and others use it to track usage without setting time limits. + +Kyle is currently lead developer at [ByWater Solutions][4], which provides open source software solutions (including Libki) to libraries. He developed Libki early in his career when he was the IT tech at the [Meadville Public Library][5] in Pennsylvania. He was occasionally asked to cover the children's room during lunch breaks for other employees. The library used a paper sign-up sheet to manage access to the computers in the children's room, which meant constant supervision and checking to ensure equitable access for the people who came there. + +Kyle said, "I found this system to be cumbersome and awkward, and I wanted to find a solution. That solution needed to be both FOSS and cross-platform. In the end, no existing software package suited our particular needs, and that is why I developed Libki." + +Or, as Libki's website proclaims, "Libki was born of the need to avoid interacting with teenagers and now allows librarians to avoid interacting with teenagers around the world!" + +### Easy to set up and use + +I recently decided to try Libki in our local public library, where I frequently volunteer. I followed the [documentation][6] for the automatic installation, using Ubuntu 18.04 Server, and very quickly had it up and running. + +I am planning to support Libki in our local library, but I wondered about libraries that don't have someone with IT experience or the ability to build and deploy a server. Kyle says, "ByWater Solutions can cloud-host a Libki server, which makes maintenance and management much simpler for everyone." + +Kyle says ByWater is not planning to bundle Libki with its most popular offering, open source integrated library system (ILS) Koha, or any of the other [projects][7] it supports. "Libki and Koha are different [types of] software serving different needs, but they definitely work well together in a library setting. In fact, it was quite early on that I developed Libki's SIP2 integration so it could support single sign-on using Koha," he says. + +### How you can contribute + +Libki client is licensed under the GPLv3 and Libki server is licensed under the AGPLv3. Kyle says he would love Libki to have a more active and robust community, and the project is always looking for new people to join its [contributors][8]. If you would like to participate, visit [Libki's Community page][9] and join the mailing list. + +-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- + +via: https://opensource.com/article/19/5/libki-computer-access + +作者:[Don Watkins ][a] +选题:[lujun9972][b] +译者:[译者ID](https://github.com/译者ID) +校对:[校对者ID](https://github.com/校对者ID) + +本文由 [LCTT](https://github.com/LCTT/TranslateProject) 原创编译,[Linux中国](https://linux.cn/) 荣誉推出 + +[a]: https://opensource.com/users/don-watkins/users/tony-thomas +[b]: https://github.com/lujun9972 +[1]: https://opensource.com/sites/default/files/styles/image-full-size/public/lead-images/desk_clock_job_work.jpg?itok=Nj4fuhl6 +[2]: https://libki.org/ +[3]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylemhallinfo/ +[4]: https://opensource.com/article/19/4/software-libraries +[5]: https://meadvillelibrary.org/ +[6]: https://manual.libki.org/master/libki-manual.html#_automatic_installation +[7]: https://bywatersolutions.com/projects +[8]: https://github.com/Libki/libki-server/graphs/contributors +[9]: https://libki.org/community/