Hi all,
i'm sharing with you the solution i used to offer a free internet access to visitors of the port of La Rochelle:
I used this "fantastic" distrib of linux: "Morphix Live Kiosk" (
http://www.morphix.org/ )
It s a minimum os, just runnind an xfc desktop and firefox with the r-kiosk plugin. It's running on a live cd so the computer i used has only motherboard, cpu, ram, cd/dvd reader, video and network adapters (cards?...). No need of a hard disk and nothing to install on the computer.If it crashes so just press reset ... (comp used is a P3-450Mhz, 128Mo sdram, 8 mo agp card, dvd reader and a pci network card (an old but working comp)
When running morphix, u cant access any shell any option on the computer, everything is deactivated by default.You just have a background pict and 1 instance of firefox launched with no tool bar. If you close the firefox window, it will be re-open after 30 sec to homepage. No settings, history are saved when close...
Configuration is not really difficult, you will have to build your own iso of the morphix related to your network configuration plus some option. I highly recommend you to install a proxy server with filtering of the content particularly if, like in my case, it s a public access, you may have young people browsing the web so no porn or offence, violence etc... (only in our games!
)
For that i m using a proxy server, squid, runing on a debian testing server. I added the suiqguard program wich filters content using blacklists... The most difficult point is to set the proxy in the firefox config.
Here is a solution to make what we call in french a "borne internet", cost is close to 0 and it s well working and simple to use for public people. Sure it s not with a sensitive screen, there s an old keyboard and a ball mouse ... we use a 17" lcd and a confortable "port-made" office in wood where people are standing to use the computer... People have no access to computer, there is no sound and no possibility to plug a usb key ... It s only an access to internet, to verify mails, consult prices etc...
For the moment people are happy and use regularly this computer...
We also propose to visitors a wifi access so they can be on the pontons or their boats and have a quite "home" access.
I ll post you pictures if you re interested and hope to see you coming with your own vessel in the port of La Rochelle
sry for my english
++