Using Mac as Public Internet Terminal?
Hi everyone,
I'm working on setting up an Internet café and I'm considering a fleet of iMac machines to do the job. How would I go about locking down Mac OS X for public access?
Once I've created a limited user account, what do I do?
I'd like the accounts to be able to access the Internet and some of the popular instant messaging networks (MSN, specifically). I'd also like to have available to them some kind of office suite (preferably free, open-source stuff).
Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!
I'm working on setting up an Internet café and I'm considering a fleet of iMac machines to do the job. How would I go about locking down Mac OS X for public access?
Once I've created a limited user account, what do I do?
I'd like the accounts to be able to access the Internet and some of the popular instant messaging networks (MSN, specifically). I'd also like to have available to them some kind of office suite (preferably free, open-source stuff).
Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!
Comments
This is a fairly straightforward operation in the Accounts preferences pane.
You mean, just through "Parental Controls"? That's all I see in the Accounts panel. Also, what client program should I install to allow them access to MSN Messenger?
You can install MSN Messenger.
I've searched for an official MSN Messenger client but have been unable to find one. I found Windows Messenger, but it requires that you configure an account right away upon installation, which is not what I want. I want anyone to be able to just walk up, click a button, and sign on without having to go through a wizard to set up the program.
http://www.microsoft.com/australia/o...messenger.aspx
http://amsn.sourceforge.net/
The official Mac Messenger doesn't have as many features as the Windows version, which is why the second one might be better. The second is also universal.
Hi everyone,
I'm working on setting up an Internet café and I'm considering a fleet of iMac machines to do the job. How would I go about locking down Mac OS X for public access?
Once I've created a limited user account, what do I do?
I'd like the accounts to be able to access the Internet and some of the popular instant messaging networks (MSN, specifically). I'd also like to have available to them some kind of office suite (preferably free, open-source stuff).
Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!
this program - webXkiosk http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/14904 will allow you to lock all other applications.
Another option is to make a limited user account for each machine and allow only Safari, FireFox, and maybe Explorer to be launched. In addition put any messenger programs on the allowed list. Block access to all other applications and all system preferences.
Apple have been kind enough to post all of the Mac OS X Server documentation online:
http://www.apple.com/server/documentation/
See escpecially http://images.apple.com/server/pdfs/...t_TB_v10.4.pdf and http://images.apple.com/server/pdfs/...min_v10.4B.pdf
Thanks for the tip, but a client/server setup wouldn't work for us. We need these machines to be completely self-sufficient, and we don't want to have to set up accounts for every user because there are more than 5,000 users that can potentially use the machines.
Just make a guest login that is managed on each system. You'll also need at least one admin user on each machine.
The guest login can have a password that you change daily or you could even set them up with no passwords.
All you need to do is use the system preferences to block access all applications and settings with the only exceptions being the few programs you want accessible. Keep those apps in the dock and you're all set.
Zero maintenance! Try that with XP!