WebJunction

Hi-

Sorry about the SteadyState release date confusion. The last I heard the release date is actually next week, not this. So it should be available next week. If you are just investigating this it is well worth waiting to get SteadyState instead of the Shared Computer Toolkit.

Actually the Gates computers do not have the SCT installed. The SCT was developed by MS at the end of the Gates Foundation US Library program, building on the software that was created for that program. So it is similar but different. One of the biggest differences is that it also protects the hard drive like the Centurion Guard does, without needing the hardware. So by using either SCT or SteadyState, you won't need the guard any more.

If you give me a few more details, I can give you some tips about upgrading the Gates computer. First, what state are you in? And then also, are you looking to keep the applications (MS Office, kids games, etc.)?

Personally, I like AVG, and have used it at home for years. But it is not normally free for libraries. And I don't know of a full featured AV that is free for libraries (ClamWin is free, but doesn't include real time monitoring). But I know there are libraries who have approached Grisoft, makers of AVG and received free licenses, so it is worth a try. You might start here:
http://www.grisoft.com/doc/discount

Oh, and just in case you don't know about it already - take a look at <a href="http://www.techsoup.org/stock/libraries/default.asp?visit=1">TechSoup Stock</a> for Microsoft's Public Library software donation program.

Dale

Glad I asked. If you are in SE Alaska, then your library received a Windows XP upgrade for the Gates computer, some time in 2004. You should start by looking around for that.

The upgrade came in a white zip-up, 3-ring plastic binder that is labeled something like "Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Windows XP Software Upgrade." In the binder, besides all the CDs for all the software installed, there are also the 5 Software Upgrade DVDs. What these 5 DVDs contain is an entire drive image for the Gates XP model.

So you boot to the first one, and run it, and then each one in turn, and you end up with a complete system, with all the profiles, applications and security installed. This would be by far the easiest way to get this computer upgraded.

If you can't find the binder (might be in a smallish white cardboard box that says Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on it), it is probably worth asking around other libraries. i was at AKLA in February, and I know that Juneau has a set. They might be able to make copies for you.

Dale

If you used the Upgrade disks, the simplest thing would be to just continue to use the Centurion Guard. It would be possible to change over to SteadyState by uninstalling all the security software first, but I'm not certain that would really be worth the effort.

The Upgrade disks would also leave you with Office XP installed. But if you do need to use those Office 2000 disks, you will want to get the CD key that is on that computer's hard drive - not the one that appears on the CD package. If you browse to D:\Office1\, look for a file named cdkey.txt. It has the Office Cd key that doesn't require you to go through the whole online authentication process.

Also, I was realizing you probably don't have all the documentation for this computer. A part of WebJunction called <a href="http://pacomputing.webjunction.org/">PAComputing</a> has the content of the old Gates Foundation technical support site for this program. one of the useful resources there is PDF versions the Easy Guides, or manuals for these computers. You can find those at: http://pacomputing.webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=11886

Dale