29 Apr Google Chrome for Kiosks Posted to GitHub
We have implemented multiple forms of kiosks throughout the years at the Marriott Library or other locations on campus that we support. Initially, we implemented web kiosks that provided anonymous users at the Marriott Library quick access to limited library & campus resources like the catalog system, databases, etc. These web kiosks needed to be secure, resilient, and easy to use for the public but at the same time prevent anonymous access to resources we do not allow. This expanded to “exhibit” kiosks that would include media content like audio, video and other types of content focused around a specific library exhibits.
And finally, we have implemented “Digital Displays” which use technologies such as LCD, LED and projection to display digital images, video, web pages, or text. They can be found in public spaces of the Marriott Library to provide wayfinding, exhibitions, and marketing & communication information including text, animated or video messages for advertising, information, entertainment, and merchandising to campus students, staff, and faculty.
For more detailed information about our Mac kiosk implementation, see our blog post.
We decided the best route going forward would be using Google Chrome with command-line switches (Chromimum command-line switches). To manage the switch implementation for different types of kiosks like “Quick Search”, “Media Kiosk” and “Digital Display” we developed the following methodology.
Our code to programmatically manage Google Chrome as a kiosk on macOS has been posted to our GitHub repository.
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