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Press FAQs
Q: Who is Userful?A: Userful is a Calgary, Alberta based company, who has developed a unique computer resource sharing system, Desktop Multiplier™, that allows up to ten people to share the resources of a single computer. Userful also offers DiscoverStation, a suite of public access software that solves the security, pricing and accessibility challenges that libraries, which deploy computers for public use, encounter every day. In 2002, Userful introduced Desktop Multiplier™ and DiscoverStation, with the goal of becoming the world's leading provider of public access computer solutions. Today, Userful has systems operating in libraries, educational institutions, and at conferences and tradeshows throughout North America. Q: What is Desktop Multiplier™/DiscoverStation® Technology?A: Developed by Userful, Desktop Multiplier is a multi-user approach that turns a single computer box into a network of up to ten workstations. Traditional networks require a server, networking equipment and individual PCs for each user. The Desktop Multiplier approach eliminates this. Each station requires only a standard monitor, keyboard and mouse, but operates like an independent PC. Each user can operate simultaneously and independently, running the same or different applications securely and privately. DiscoverStation is a version of Desktop Multiplier, designed specifically with libraries in mind. Q: Why is DiscoverStation® well-suited for libraries?A: Today, virtually all libraries in North America provide public computer access. Most libraries use networked Windows® PCs much like many home and office computers. Because the Windows operating system is not designed for public use, libraries have had to invest substantially in customizations to accommodate public users. Public computer use requires organizations that offer public computers to address issues such as protecting patrons' privacy, keeping out viruses, avoiding hackers and defending their networks against malicious or unintentional tampering. DiscoverStation was designed to respond to the unique challenges that arise when providing public access computing. DiscoverStation's locked-down environment blocks unwanted content access, downloads, and system changes. It automatically clears personal information and modifications between users, answering important privacy and security challenges. In addition, it is multi-lingual, supporting over 30 languages, offers CIPA compliant Internet filtering, and has timed sessions and accessibility features. Q: Is performance affected by sharing one computer box with multiple users?A: Userful's software allocates resources among the stations based on demand. Typically, an ordinary desktop computer sits idle for over 90% of the workday. People use computing power in spikes when launching an application or rendering a web page. The rest of the time is spent typing a document or reading the page. Essentially, this means that Desktop Multiplier users typically have access to 100% of the machine's computing power. On the occasion that multiple users request a task at once, the computer divides its processing time among them. Users often find the system more responsive than individual computers for common tasks like loading a web page or launching an application. This is because another user often has the application open, or has recently viewed the web page. Desktop Multiplier can therefore load it from memory rather than the hard disk or the Internet. Q: What makes the Desktop Multiplier™ approach unique?A: The Desktop Multiplier approach is built on a foundation of Open Source software, including Linux and OpenOffice.org, making it fundamentally more secure, efficient, stable, and virus-immune than Windows. The Desktop Multiplier approach is cost efficient, easy to implement and use, and offers substantial environmental benefits. This design reduces acquisition costs by over 30 percent and cuts maintenance costs by up to 60 percent over stand-alone desktop PCs. Q: How does Desktop Multiplier™ compare with HP's 441?HP's 441 is a hardware appliance, whereas Desktop Multiplier is a software solution designed to support any hardware and any Linux distribution. HP's 441 is limited to just four users per one computer box, is currently only available in South Africa, and is only available with the one Linux distribution HP has chosen to support (Mandrake). In contrast, Userful's Desktop Multiplier software allows up to ten users per computer box and can be downloaded and built anywhere in the world using any leading Linux distribution. Another key difference is ease of configuration: The 441 relies on labels (on the back of the computer) to indicate how USB ports (for keyboards and mice) are linked to video port. This approach makes setup difficult and confusing, particularly given that there are many cables converging on the back of the computer and it is difficult to see the labeling. Userful's patent-pending configuration approach is entirely software based: users simply "Press F1" to link a keyboard and screen together. Userful's architecture offers greater resource efficiency, flexibility, and security. Userful started out using a similar approach to HP's before abandoning it and re-engineering their Desktop Multiplier technology to overcome the inherent limitations of an appliance & kernel based approach.
Q: What are the cost savings of implementing the Desktop Multiplier™ system?A: Userful's use of one computer box to power up to ten computer stations, and its adoption of Open Source software, facilitates low prices and creates substantial savings for customers. This approach of desktop consolidation cuts up to 90% of the investment organizations have to put into hardware. Because computer hardware devalues so rapidly, reducing the number of computers deployed can substantially improve an organization's bottom line. Furthermore, Userful's adoption of Linux and open source software creates further savings. Over a 3-year lifecycle on a 100-user deployment, Userful's approach can save as much as $90,000 in hardware acquisition; $90,000 on software acquisition; and $100,000 to $200,000 per year in reduced software support and maintenance costs. Q: What is "Open Source" software?A: Open Source software is the creation of a worldwide group of volunteer software designers, developers and testers. Open Source software can be downloaded, modified, distributed and used for free. Linux is probably the best known example of Open Source software in the world. Q: Is Desktop Multiplier™ compatible with Microsoft Windows?A: Yes. All Userful multi-station Linux products are capable of accessing Windows applications through virtual desktop technologies including win4lin, vmware, wine, and RDP. For Desktop Multiplier, specific compatibility depends on the Linux distribution on which Userful's Desktop Multiplier software is installed.
Q: Can external peripherals be connected to Desktop Multiplier™?A: Yes, external devices can be connected to the Desktop Multiplier via USB ports just like in regular PC systems. Similar to any other system, you need to ensure that the appropriate drivers for the external devices are properly installed and configured. Q: What are some of the advantages of Linux over Windows?A: Linux is an open source operating system that is more secure, efficient, stable, and virus-immune than Windows. Its usage is growing at a rate of 30% per year. Linux is renowned for its stability, multi-user functionality and crash-immune applications. As an open source system, Linux is constantly being improved, extended, localized, tested and supported by hundreds of thousands of software designers, developers and testers around the world. The multi-user heritage of Linux prevents users from viewing or deleting files belonging to others. In addition, viruses are virtually non-existent and security issues are addressed quickly by the Linux community. Q: What are the environmental implications of adopting Desktop Multiplier™?The Desktop Multiplier approach replaces the need for separate terminals at public computing sites in which each terminal (consisting of a keyboard, mouse and screen) is required. According to Ted Smith, executive director of the Silicon Valley Toxic Coalition, "E-waste is one of the fastest-growing and most toxic waste streams--threatening human health and the environment". The reduction in the number of computer boxes used lowers power consumption; replacing 10 PCs by a Desktop Multiplier with 10 stations reduces CO2 emissions by approximately 2.5 tons per year. Added to the costs of running computers are the costs of producing and disposing of them. An estimated 20 million PCs become obsolete in the US each year. Computer components contain lead, mercury, cadmium, and a number of other persistent, toxic and bio-accumulative compounds capable of compromising water and air quality. Q: Who are present Desktop Multiplier™ users? How has it benefited their organizations?A: Currently Userful is shipping hardware throughout North America, and software internationally. For reference letters, case studies, and a sample list of customers please view the media section of this website. Q: How can I try Desktop Multiplier™/DiscoverStation®in my library or organization to see if it is right for me?A: Visit www.userful.com to take a "Quick Tour" of DiscoverStation. You may also request a live demo or download a free trial today. Q: Where can I find more information on the company and the product offered?A: Visit www.userful.com for further information on innovative products that Userful offers, or for contact information to speak with one of our knowledgeable representatives. |