PC self bookings client manual: php-gtk2 version

Introduction

The booking client is a program that allows patrons to self checkin/book computers. The booking system can be used the following modes:

• Barcode mode
  Patrons are authenticated via their library barcode. Brushtail will check credentials against the web catalogue. Patrons sit down at an available computer and self book. Alternatively they may be prebooked via the intranet or via the Web
• PIN mode
  Bookings are authenticated via single use PINs. No external authentication. Bookings are made by library staff

The original version was written in Visual Basic. This has been superseded by a version written in PHP-GTK2

Installation Requirements

• Client PCs running Windows XP/Windows 7
• Brushtail intranet server
• Client PC has security software that denies access to Ctrl + Alt + Delete

Installation instructions

Configure Brushtail

1. If authenticating via patron barcodes, edit config.php and set $PCAUTHENTICATION to "web". This step not necessary if using "PIN" mode
2. Create a PC booking type through Content Management > PC Bookings > Booking type. (Note the "Client software parameters")
3. Create a PC bookings location through Content Management > PC Bookings > Locations
4. Create a PC bookings computers for the location through Content Management > PC Bookings > Location > Add computer.
   If using IP authentication, setting the "poll client" will make client computers respond immediately to booking changes made via intranet.
5. The PC may be authenticated by static IP address or shared password. The Computer details in the intranet content management must have either an ip address or a password.

• Barcode mode
  Available computer - Patron can self book using barcode.
  Booked computer (booking contains barcode) - Patron can self checkin using barcode.
  Booked computer (booking HAS NO barcode) - Staff must checkin patron via intranet.
  
• Mixed mode
  Available computer - Patron can self book using barcode.
  Booked computer (booking contains barcode) - Patron can self checkin using barcode.
  Booked computer (booking HAS NO barcode) - Booking generates session PIN. Patron must be given PIN to use computer.
  
• PIN mode
  Available computer - No self bookings, patron must book via staff.
  Booked computer - Intranet booking generates session PIN. Patron must be given PIN to use computer.
  

Configure Client PC

1. Logged in as administrator Copy client folder onto computer
   Create a folder C:\program Files\pcbooker and copy files. Check that the files in this folder can be read but not writable by the windows user account used by patrons.
2. Associate the .php file extension with C:\program Files\pcbooker\php-gtk2\php-win.exe. You can do this by right clicking on C:\program Files\pcbooker\php-gtk2\pcbooker.php and choose "open" or "open with" and browse to php-win.exe. Make the checkbox "Always use this program" is selected. Usually this only needs to be done logged in as administrator. Sometimes it may be necessary to log into the user account used by the public and associate the file type.
3. Create a shortcut to C:\program Files\pcbooker\php-gtk2\pcbooker.php, put this in the start menu > startup folder for the windows user account used by patrons. Check that user has read and execute permissions on the shortcut.
4. Connection parameters
   This may be done when logged into windows as administrator
   • By editing C:\program Files\pcbooker\php-gtk2\ini.xml
   • Or via application interface. Start application and press key F3. Default password is banana
   Parameters
   • server
     IP address of brushtail server.
   • serverpath
     Path to session.php on server. (eg /brushtail/main/session.php)
   • serverport
     port number of intranet server.
   • proxy
     Optional leave blank if none.
   • proxyport
     Optional leave blank if none.
   • admin Application administrator password. Must be changed via application interface using F2 key (not via xml file).
   • pcno
     Used for pc "password authentication".
   • intranet/secret
     Used for pc "password authentication". Must be changed via application interface using F3 key (not via xml file)
5. Administrator Password
   You can disable the client interface pressing F1 key
   Default password is banana
   To change client administrator password pressing F2 key(must be done logged in as administrator
6. Shutdown privleges The booking client needs privileges to shutdown or reboot the computer.
   • Logged in administrator, open Local Security Settings from Administrative Tools.
   • Select Security Settings \ Local Policies \ User Rights Assignment
   • Open the user right named "Force shutdown from a remote system" and add the INTERACTIVE group to this user right.
7. (Optional - improve performace on ip authenticated clients)
   Typically the computer will check Brushtail every 30 seconds to check booking status. If using IP authentication, you can make changes (eg cancellation) immediate by:
   1. Edit the computer in Brushtail content management to "poll client"
   2. C:\program Files\pcbooker\php-gtk2\data\check.txt needs to be writable by public user account
   3. • Windows XP
        Install a Apache webserver on client using C:\program Files\pcbooker\Apache2.2\bin\install.bat
        You will get a pop asking if you want the firewall to allow this program. Choose Allow.
      • Windows 7
        Install a Apache webserver. Right click on c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe and run as administrator. Change command propmt directory to c:\program files\pcbookder\apache2.2\bin
        execute command httpd.exe -k install -n "pcbookerwebserver"
8. (Optional stop users from logging out windows)
   This involves removing logoff from start menu and putting a password protected shortcut on the public user account desktop.
   Open gpedit.msc > User configuration > User templates > Start menu
   • Windows xp - "Enable remove logoff from start menu", disable "Remove a prevent access to shutdown command"
   • Windows 7 - "Enable remove logoff from start menu"
   Put shortcut to c:\windows\system32\logoff.exe on administrator desktop.
   Put shortcut to C:\program Files\pcbooker\php-gtk2\logoff.php on the public user account desktop.
   Right click on shortcuts and give them logoff icons.
   The logoff.php script will prompt for the booking application password, if password is correct the script will logoff windows.