LinuxQuestions.org
Share your knowledge at the LQ Wiki.
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Distributions
User Name
Password
Linux - Distributions This forum is for Distribution specific questions.
Red Hat, Slackware, Debian, Novell, LFS, Mandriva, Ubuntu, Fedora - the list goes on and on... Note: An (*) indicates there is no official participation from that distribution here at LQ.

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 12-14-2006, 01:35 AM   #1
ceron
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Dec 2006
Posts: 1

Rep: Reputation: 0
Question Best Linux Distro / Software for public pc(kiosk)


Hi, im trying to make a public pc that can only be used for Surfing, openoffice tools, also no access to primary hardrive, only to removable-storage.

What distro/software should i use to make this possible with as little effort as possible. The system has to very restricted so that people cannot change settings or gain control.


regards Ceron.
 
Old 12-14-2006, 12:03 PM   #2
reddazz
LQ Guru
 
Registered: Nov 2003
Location: N. E. England
Distribution: Fedora, CentOS, Debian
Posts: 16,298

Rep: Reputation: 77
You can use any distro. KDE has a tool called kiosk-tool that can be used to lockdown your desktop.
 
Old 12-14-2006, 12:08 PM   #3
derxob
Member
 
Registered: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Distribution: Slackware, Ubuntu
Posts: 68

Rep: Reputation: 16
If your plan is to only allow internet browsing and open office I'd suggest going with a less bloated distribution like Slackware and doing a minimal install, then installing KDE (as mentioned by reddazz) and necessary tools.
 
Old 12-14-2006, 05:38 PM   #4
davecs
Member
 
Registered: Feb 2003
Location: Barking, Essex, Britain
Distribution: PCLinuxOS and MX-Linux
Posts: 503

Rep: Reputation: 32
PCLinuxOS Mini-Me version, then add the programs you need for your kiosks. Also any language-related stuff if you are not in USA. You can then create a live CD I agree is has to be KDE, easier to lock down.

Whilst mentioning PCLOS (or other LiveCD distros) you could use Mini-Me, adding programs then a remaster to make a LiveCD which can be run from RAM (super fast) in a diskless machine (will need loads of RAM) which is obviously the ultimate in security, as switching the computer off, then rebooting will clear anything that anyone has done, it will always reboot from your "perfectly set up" LiveCD. Stuff like Printer, NTP, Firewall will stay set up from the live image you make, Network connections, Scanners and many other peripherals will be automatically detected on bootup.
 
Old 12-15-2006, 04:30 AM   #5
jacook
Member
 
Registered: Nov 2005
Location: Townsville, Australia
Distribution: PCLinuxOS .93 Junior
Posts: 437

Rep: Reputation: 30
Hey Ceron,

you can try one called KioskCD. I didn't think much of it as you can't confgure anything at all. Didn't recognise the keyboard and Mouse. witho9ut those on a computer your screwed.... But I use a wireless Keyboard mouse set if you use PS2 plugged directly into the machine then you should be fine

http://kioskcd.com/

tyr these others as well:

feather Linux
http://featherlinux.berlios.de/

Vector Linux 4.3
http://www.vectorlinux.com/

DSL
http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/

Puppy Linux
http://www.puppylinux.org/user/viewpage.php?page_id=3

Slackware
http://www.slackware.com/

SLAX Live CD
http://www.slax.org/

BeatrIX
http://www.watsky.net/

Elive:
http://www.elivecd.org/

you can find more here

http://www.linuxlinks.com/Distributi...Distributions/
http://www.linuxlinks.com/Distributions/Floppy/

Jake
 
  


Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
security checklist for a public internet kiosk? mapquest Linux - Security 1 10-01-2006 02:37 PM
Software for Internet Kiosk Mimo.m Linux - Server 1 08-23-2006 01:05 AM
Distro + WM for Kiosk-type box for old people Jimmy The Clown Linux - Distributions 1 11-02-2005 08:56 PM
Setting up Linux Distro for Public/Kiosk use superduty455 Linux - General 1 10-12-2004 12:05 PM
public web browser aka web kiosk xmnemonic Linux - Software 6 06-14-2004 03:20 PM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Distributions

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:03 AM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration