February: PC Management Software.

This article offers ideas on choosing personal computer (PC) management software products that are oriented toward library or education users. One need to find the right balance of security and functionality. Not enough security may put the computer and even the entire associated network at risk. One will also need to update the antivirus signature files at least daily. Spyware is a huge category of malicious software. Patron authentication can be a very useful feature, especially when one have a large number of PC. For example, a patron may need to have a valid library bar code, fines less than $10, and be an adult resident to be able to use the Internet on a public PC. Reservation and session management features have become necessary in many libraries due to the popularity of their public access computers. If a library lends wireless devices such as laptops, one should double-check that a PC management application works with them. One may want to settle on two or three products and then try them out. PC management products will need to adapt to new risks by quickly incorporating necessary modifications and enhancements. On the advanced features side, integration and multifunctionality have been important trends.