Youth Services News Kids Computers

[Philip Neilson]

Another option to think about as an AWE station alternative would be to
purchase a regular all-in-one touchscreen computer like this
<https://www.amazon.com/HP-205-Business-Computer-Ethernet/dp/B0BR5BKWHH/ref=sr_1_12_sspa?crid=D7XJ25OVOG55&keywords=hp%2Ball%2Bin%2Bone%2Btouchscreen%2Bcomputer&qid=1674667901&sprefix=hp%2Ball%2Bin%2Bone%2Btouchs%2Caps%2C224&sr=8-12-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExRjJVVFhURDJIMDk1JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjUxMDM4MU8wQlZPWDlSMkwxNyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTIxMTY3RUdVWUZOTDNHM0dUJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfbXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1>
and have it connected to the internet, but load something on it like Porteus
Kiosk <https://porteus-kiosk.org/>, a free linux-based OS that is basically
just a web browser.  When you install Porteus you can set it so there are
no toolbars at the top of the screen (it is in forced full screen mode) and
you can also set a whitelist of URLs that can be visited so that a user
cannot navigate elsewhere online, even by accident.  You can then set it to
boot straight to a site like abcmouse.com/libraries and it will load right
to that site when you turn the computer on.

This would take a bit more technical know-how to set up, but then would be
very low-maintenance from that point forward.  I have done this to create a
kids' catalog station at our library and it works great, but I haven't
tried it for setting up a station like I described above.  However, I'm
definitely thinking about giving it a try when our current AWE stations
aren't usable anymore.

Phil Neilson

Youth Services Librarian

Octavia Fellin Public Library
(505) 726-6120
pneilson at gallupnm.gov
ofpl.online
115 W. Hill Ave, Gallup, NM 87301


On Thu, Jan 19, 2023 at 9:49 AM Ami Jones <ajones at ci.alamogordo.nm.us>
wrote:

> My only issue with the AWE is that it is SO hard to get out of many of the
> games. If anyone has a trick, let me know! A few have back or exit buttons,
> and some if you hover at the bottom of the screen it will pop up, but good
> old "Ctrl Alt Del" doesn't work, nor does "Escape". Any time I ask the
> company I am told to install updates, which I do, with no change.
>
> It is helpful to have something with multiple games that is not connected
> to the internet, though, and which does not require a library card to
> access!
>
> Ami Jones
> Youth Services Librarian
> Alamogordo Public Library
> (575) 439-4140 ext. 4157
> Pronouns she/her
> ------------------------------
> *From:* nmythserv-bounces at lists.zianet.com <
> nmythserv-bounces at lists.zianet.com> on behalf of Breanna Voorhis <
> bjvoorhis at cityofcarlsbadnm.com>
> *Sent:* Thursday, January 19, 2023 9:43 AM
> *Cc:* NM Tribal LibraryDirectors <nmtriblibs at lists.zianet.com>;
> nmythserv at lists.zianet.com <nmythserv at lists.zianet.com>
> *Subject:* Re: Youth Services News Kids Computers
>
> You don't often get email from bjvoorhis at cityofcarlsbadnm.com. Learn why
> this is important
> Carlsbad has AWE computers as well, but we are trying to phase them out.
> Once they are out of warranty, there is no assistance in fixing them. We
> have one that cannot be fixed, and we will replace it with a regular
> computer so kids can use google and do homework.
>
> I am also planning on purchasing launchpads from the launchpad academy.
> There are three different academies (Pre-K, reading, and STEAM) and there
> are different levels in each academy).
>
> Breanna Voorhis
> Youth Service Specialist
> Carlsbad Public Library
> 101 S. Halagueno
> Carlsbad NM 88220
> 575-885-6776
>
>
> On Thu, Jan 19, 2023 at 9:37 AM Brynn Cole <brynn at corraleslibrary.org>
> wrote:
>
> Corrales uses AWE computers too and we did have a problem with one of
> our machines recently (because it was ancient). AWE responded and helped
> really quickly
> Brynn Cole,
>
>
>
> On 2023-01-18 13:59, Osterloh, Cassandra, DCA wrote:
> > Good afternoon.
> > A question from one of the libraries. Is anyone familiar with
> > Kidcomputers.com? If so, have you had good experiences? Also, looking
> > for computers similar to Kids Education Station and Kids Learning PC
> > at Library Computers (kidcomputers.com) [1]. Is there a different
> > company that this library might use that would be good for purchasing
> > similar computers?
> > Thank you,
> > Cassandra
> >
> >  Cassandra E. Osterloh, MLS, MA (Cherokee Nation)
> > Pronouns: she/her/hers
> >
> >  Tribal Libraries Program Coordinator
> > Library Development Bureau, New Mexico State Library
> > 1209 Camino Carlos Rey
> > Santa Fe NM 87507
> >
> >  505-264-2427 (cell)
> > 505-476-9764 (office)
> > cassandra.osterloh at dca.nm.gov
> >
> >
> >
> > Links:
> > ------
> > [1] https://kidcomputers.com/catalog/LibrarySeries
> > _______________________________________________
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> > Nmythserv at lists.zianet.com
> > http://lists.zianet.com/mailman/listinfo/nmythserv
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