Table of Contents
Preface
Chapter 1: Overview of Thin Clients
Chapter 2: The Types of Thin Clients
Chapter 3: An Analysis of Costs
Chapter 4: The People Issues
Chapter 5: Considering the Network
Chapter 6: Implementing the Server
Chapter 7: Implementing the User Software
Chapter 8: Implementing the Thin Clients
Chapter 9: Support
Appendix A: Resources
Appendix B: Installing OpenSUSE 10.2
- Chapter 1: Overview of Thin Clients
- Theory of Design
- Where It Runs
- Don't Lose Your Memory
- Better Multi-Tasking than a Personal Computer
- Common Misconceptions
- Features Gained in the Thin Design
- Summary
- Theory of Design
- Chapter 2: The Types of Thin Clients
- Proprietary Operating Systems
- Windows Embedded Devices
- Linux Devices
- Wireless Devices
- Handheld Devices
- Summary
- Chapter 3: An Analysis of Costs
- Anticipated Costs
- Reuse of Current Personal Computers
- Possible Reductions in Server Counts
- Thin Client versus Client/Server Anticipated Costs
- Project Staffing Size and Changes
- Other Cost Savings to Consider
- Summary
- Chapter 4: The People Issues
- Executive and Management Issues
- Initial Project Meeting
- Implementation Schedule
- Deployment
- User Community Issues
- Initial Feedback
- Communication
- Desktop Training
- Application Training
- Desktop Bling
- Issue Tracking Software
- Open Source CDs
- Summary
- Executive and Management Issues
- Chapter 5: Considering the Network
- Primary Network
- Personal Computers versus Thin Clients
- Network Design
- Remote Sites
- Thin Client Network Connections
- Testing the Network
- Summary
- Primary Network
- Chapter 6: Implementing the Server
- Planning and Designing the Server
- Up to Fifty Concurrent Users
- Fifty to One Hundred Concurrent Users
- Over One Hundred Concurrent Users
- Customizing for Your Own Deployment
- Building the Server
- Tips on Installing the Operating System
- Enabling XDMCP
- Creating a Custom Login Screen
- Creating a Custom Splash Page
- Enable Login Screen and XDMCP with gdmsetup
- Authentication Methods
- Providing the Desktop
- Using the Main Menu
- Creating Custom Program Icons
- Writing Custom Graphical Dialogs
- Adding Custom Scripts before GNOME Starts
- Enabling 3D Desktop Support
- NFS Mounts and Shared Directories
- Integrating Bandwidth Management for Remote Users
- Summary
- Planning and Designing the Server
- Chapter 7: Implementing the User Software
- Running Software from a Remote Server
- Planning which User Software to Deploy
- Browser
- Firefox
- Electronic Mail
- Evolution
- Mail Notification
- Office Suite
- OpenOffice.org
- Tomboy
- Planner
- Instant Messaging
- Pidgin
- File Processing
- Beagle
- Picture Processing
- GIMP
- F-Spot
- Audio and Video Processing
- Xine
- Real Player
- Databases
- MySQL
- PostgreSQL
- Software Development
- Mono
- Connection to Legacy UNIX Servers
- gnome-terminal
- xterm
- Connection to Legacy IBM Mainframes
- Connection to Microsoft Windows Applications
- Summary
- Chapter 8: Implementing the Thin Clients
- Choosing the Right Thin Client
- Money
- Projected Duty Cycle
- Requirements
- In-House Expertise
- Vendor Stability
- Turn-Key versus Customized Solutions
- Turn-Key Solution
- Customized Solution
- Starting the Appropriate Connection Method
- XDMCP
- Citrix Metaframe Client
- Creating a Chooser for Multiple Connection Methods
- Personal Computer Hardware Devices
- Printers
- Scanners
- Custom Mice or Keyboards
- Other Desktop Hardware
- Enabling Remote Sound
- NAS—Network Audio System
- ESD—Esound
- Pulse Audio
- Allowing the Server to Gain Access to USB Devices
- Summary
- Choosing the Right Thin Client
- Chapter 9: Support
- Supporting the Users
- Training
- Using VNC to Remotely Control Sessions
- Screendumps for Analysis
- Custom Help System
- Support within Your IT Staff
- Creating the Support Group
- Training
- Logging All Calls
- Vendor and Open-Source Support
- Selecting Vendor Support Level
- Interacting with the Vendor
- Getting Involved with the Open Source Community
- Summary
- Supporting the Users
- Appendix B: Installing OpenSUSE 10.2
- Packt Open Source Project Royalties
- Writing for Packt
- About Packt Publishing



