[sub]If this should go in IMHO, I sincerely apologize.[/sub]
Here at the public library, we often get requests from folks concerning the availability of typewriters or word processors on our premesis. We haven’t had the former for 10+ years, and installing the latter without providing access to Windows (a big no-no here; the public PC’s will do the web and our ancient AS400-based catalog, but nothing else) would probably make our already harried IT people go postal (or day trader…). Most of these folks obviously can not afford to spend the 20 cents a minute that the Kinko’s a few blocks away charges, and the universities have been cracking down of late on public access to their computer labs.
I’m wondering if any of y’all are aware of any script, java-, cgi-, or otherwise, that is:
[ul]
[li]Free or reasonably priced,[/li][li]Runs either within N4 or server side, so that you don’t have to download anything, and[/li][li]Has basic word-processing functions so that some computer-illiterate schmoe can format a decent approximation of a resume or whatever.[/li][/ul]
Even signing some patrons up for a hotmail account can be quite a chore, as a large segment of the population we serve seems to never have actually touched a mouse before in their life (sometimes they pick it up and try to use it like a remote control… both saddening and hilarious). So something relatively easy to use would be a plus, if we can always type out an instruction sheet in first grade English if we have to.
You can also try JWord, http://www.sic21.com/features-Interface.htm but the download has been temporarily disabled. The finished product will be available in a few months, but apparently they are going to charge for it (how much, I don’t know).
What OS are the computers there using? I assume Windows, since you mentioned it, but what version? It is possible to set up a policy on a Windows machine that will only allow certain programs to run, disabling all others. This works better on Windows NT or 2000, but can offer pretty strong protection on even Windows 9x.
It wouldn’t be too hard to implement, and the set it up so that you can use Wordpad as your word processor. I suggest Wordpad, because it can do all the basic formatting, and handle reasonably sized documents in a common format, but doesn’t allow macros, which would keep you safer than using Word. Library patrons could save to diskettes, and since only certain programs could run, due to the policy, running a trojan from a floppy would be highly unlikely to happen.
If you want something server-side, then one solution would be to get Windows Terminal Server on the server end and publish only WordPad. If a user closes WordPad, then they can’t get to the remote desktop–they just return to the RDP logon screen. (StarOffice won’t run in a multi-user environment, so if you want free then you need WordPad.)
Thanks everybody, but perhaps I didn’t make my lowly position on the 'brary totem pole clear enough. I’m a reference assistant. A peon. Absolutely no clout whatsoever. Adding hardware requires the approval of administration, and as far as administration is concerened, I could just as easily be serving them a Whopper and fries.
We’re also in the early stages of a major system upgrade, switching from a (literally) 20 year old catalog mainframe using dummy terminals and PC’s to an NT thin client setup (At one of the first staff meetings they held to discuss this with us, I suggested that our databse needs might be better served by MySQL, and was essentially told to shut the fuck up, Private), and serving the actual needs of the public isn’t real high on the to do lists of the Library Brass at the moment.
What I’m looking for is something akin to the Java word processor available in the “virtual office suite” at http://freedesk.com . The problem with the freedesk script, however, is that you need to export your file to a PC with a word processing program in order to print, which is beyond the capacity of either my patrons to understand or of me to have enough patience to explain it to them, I’m not sure which. I most emphatically can neither download nor install anything on to any machine. Hence, I need something that runs completely in Netscape or its related applications.
I’m contemplating ripping apart the script for wwwboard or some other BBS to make a rudimentary wp that uses html tags for formatting. It’s better than nothing. Any suggestions in that department would be appreciated, too.
Presumably, you want something like the applications at blox.com. They have a spreadsheet app and a presentation app which are both pretty amazing. I’d be surprised if they weren’t working on a word processor.
Doesn’t exactly solve your problem right now, but (assuming I’m correct) it does clarify what you’re talking about. Maybe other people know of similar sites.
Printing’s going to be the headache, if you can’t use locally installed apps and don’t have a full server-side environment yet. Do you know the timeline on moving to Windows Terminal Server?
Timeline? HA! We’re a public institution. It was supposed to be finished in early 2002 (we’re a big goddam library… 42 branches and a main library that takes up a block and a half on 7 total floors… consistently rank 3rd nationwide in most categories), but the time table has been pushed back at least a year due to the miracle of Administration By Committee.
What I’d do with the gutted WWWBoard is stick it in the cgi-bin of my personal host. Printing from the web on the public PCs is no problem now, and patrons can still disable Netscape’s date/url/page# stamp on printouts. I imagine the finished product will be plain ugly rather than utterly revolting.
Thanks for the tip on blox.com… I’ll check it out when I’m not about to go get laid.