Chrome Devices used in Libraries

There are a lot of positive aspects about Chrome OS devices. One of the biggest is the cost. A typical desktop computer replacement for us costs $1000 (rounding up) and a Chrome device costs $300 (again, rounding up). One of the other nice things is that the devices can be managed anywhere you have a connection to the web and you don't have to set-up a management server.

My predecessor with help from a colleague set-up a variety of Chromebooks for patrons to use at different locations. Her tests were successful and she set-up self registration kiosks using Chrome desktop boxes.

Recently, I ran into a bunch of problems and I think I figured out the reasons and ways to fix. We replaced 26 OPAC (online public access catalog) computers with Acer Chromebox CXI2-4GKM DT.Z09AA.004 Vesa mounting bracket and hardware ($250 including the Chrome management) which was an incredible value. It saved our organization  about $19,000.

1. Network problems - I know this might seem obvious but it wasn't to me. The devices I was updating the setup for had old network settings that were changed. Somehow they had been connecting with the wrong information but when I made other changes to the device... they stopped connecting at all. I guess it realized it was being too easy going. I also learned that you can't add the updated settings and leave the old settings as "an option" because it won't like that. Remove the old settings and add the new ones.

2. Kiosk mode uses a simple app that you can make for free. Here is where to go https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/3316168?hl=en alot of the settings like how long before the screen refreshes or the device times out is all coded in the app. The app is relatively basic and uses Java Script so it you want to make changes to the code it isn't very hard.

3. Your kiosk mode needs to be published as public. I tried the private published app and it didn't work for me. I tried multiple times, multiple ways and it just didn't work. Pay the $5 for a developer account because most likely you will need to make it public.

4. Kiosk apps can have certain odd limitations. We created one for our OPACs (online public access catalog) boxes. It would allow patrons to access all the pages on our website but not databases. I went through all the literature on kiosk apps and all the code and could not figure out why.

5. I ended up using Public Session. The public session mode allows you to give a user a predetermined amount of time and lock down a lot of options like network settings, apps, bookmarks, background, add terms and conditions, etc. The Admin is supposed to be able to whitelist and blacklist websites... I and (from what I read) other admins have had problems with this function working correctly. I contacted our ISP because they handle our filtering. They created a proxy IP that I could point those Chrome devices to and they only allow access to a whitelist of sites.

6. When you setup the Chromeboxes make sure your take advantage of all the information you can put in the admin panel about them. I put the library location and where in the building they are located. That way if we have problems with a device in the future, we know exactly where it is. Having said that, staff need to tell you if they move a device. I had one that was not updating it's rules and it was driving me nuts. When I went to the library location I couldn't find the device. I asked the manager and they informed me that they had put it in storage while they rearrange furniture.

7.  We had one device that got stuck on one setup and would not change. We ended up finding a downloading a factory build that was posted online then used a USB drive to restore back to factory. After that it was able to provision and take the build.

8. The shortest time you can have changes pushed out is 30 minutes and it can take a day for all the devices to receive updates / new changes. I learned that if you switch "organizations" with your admin panel or turn the device off for more than a few minutes or if most desperate deprovision and then provision the device again that it will accept the new setup / rules faster.

9. We haven't tried Google Cloud printing for these devices because we use PrintOn and have a link to the wireless printing option on our website. That has been working pretty well.

10. You may have to explain the limitations of Chromebooks to some patrons but most young adults and teens know the devices very well from school.

That's all I can think of right now. Any questions? Please let me know.

Kids Device Management

With children going back to school I wanted to review something that would be related in some way. I decided on managing your child’s device. How can parents limit the time their children spend on their mobile device and restrict what do on that device. What I learned is that the more control that you want the more expensive the solution.

First, I’d like to say that if you have an Android device for your child you should check out this video podcast Android App Arena episode on “Kids Device Management” https://twit.tv/shows/android-app-arena/episodes/101 The host does a good job of showing users that have a Jellybean or more recent Android device how to set it up for kids.

Parental Control Apps

Nova Laucher (Free / $4.99) Android only – This allows users to delete apps, widgets, and search bars from the home screen of an Android device. It isn’t a device control exactly instead it is a way to customize an Android device in a way that makes it more kid friendly. http://novalauncher.com/

DinnerTime Plus ($3.99 ) iOS, Android, Amazon – Parents have the ability to shut off the internet connection and access to apps either at the press of a button on their device or by setting up a schedule. http://www.dinnertimeapp.com/

Our Pact (Free) iOS, Android – Parents can do the same thing as the DinnerTime app for free. The only flaw that I saw was in the iOS app there are certain apps that children still have access to and unlike Android parents cannot download a launcher allowing them to get rid of Apple apps and search boxes (this may change in the iOS 10 options). http://ourpact.com/

Kidslox ($6.99) iOS, Android, Amazon, Windows, Mac –This app has the added benefit of reporting how long your child performed certain tasks on the device. It also has a “Kidlox mode” for parents that share a device with a child, basically restricting what they can do with the device. https://kidslox.com/en/#home-app-screen

More Control

Curbi ($6.99 monthly) This app allows parents the ability to filter certain apps, websites, categories, and the ability to make purchases (both app store and in-app). It has detailed reporting of your child’s activity. It has the ability to schedule use or revoke privileges at any time. http://www.curbi.com/

Net Sanity $6.95 monthly or $59.95 annual) A comprehensive digital management platform it allows parents the ability to filter and monitor use of all Internet enabled devices. It gives parents the ability to receive detailed reports and granular permission down to specific websites or actions. https://netsanity.net/

Circle ($99 device for computer, $9.95 monthly) The Circle device is a home device that allows the parent or administrator to control access per device. The user can shut off access to all devices (or place restrictions on them) or place restrictions on each device individually. Users can set-up permissions for guests that use their network (in case your child has friends over). This allows control of access to mobile devices, computers, and even set-top boxes like gaming consoles or TV streaming. The device can connect to your router using Wi-Fi or a network cable. It has a battery so it cannot be unplugged. They are a subsidiary of Disney so everything has a very polished design. There is also a monthly device management app for cellular enabled phones, tablets, etc. that parents want control and reporting abilities it is called myCircle. https://meetcircle.com/