Thin Client Notes from BETT 09 Angela Higgins

Thin Client Notes from BETT ’ 09 Angela Higgins February 2009

Based on Steve Warburton’s presentation at BETT ‘ 09, together with information gleaned from other sources. Steve Warburton is Director of Innovation and Technology at Thomas Deacon Academy, Peterborough Angela Higgins 18 February 2009

What is it? A Thin Client is described as a client computer which supplies a VDU, sound, mouse and keyboard to the user, at the site where these facilities are being used. This ‘Client computer’ is linked to a remote, more powerful server elsewhere on the site which is the repository for materials which would normally be held on the PC on the desk in front of the individual using it. Angela Higgins 18 February 2009

Why Thin Client? Smaller physical footprint than regular PCs Smaller carbon footprint Reduced noise and need for high levels of ventilation – for example in ‘landlocked’ classrooms. No special furniture required Rapid access to information Wireless thin clients mean a vast reduction in cabling Angela Higgins 18 February 2009

Lower cost means that student to computer ratios can be reduced if necessary Cost of vandalism, damage and repair is reduced › Stealing is a waste of time › Not much to be damaged › No orifices – means that people aren’t tempted to stick inappropriate objects into the machines, use disc drives as cup holders. Angela Higgins 18 February 2009

High levels of security can be built in – for example, students can log on remotely to access their work from home machines without compromising either their own machines, or the school system – this element helps to support and develop independent learning. Individual licences not required – installed to server. Because of low likelihood of damage, thin client can be used without direct supervision Angela Higgins 18 February 2009

Cost – energy bills can be vastly reduced – due to reduction in requirements for cooling Waste production reduced and environmental impact of disposing of old computers reduced in the longer term. Angela Higgins 9/25/2020

Other considerations In the school referred to, 80% of the workstations are thin client workstations – 20% of the IT call outs are to service thin client system. With 950 thin clients in the school, the energy saving for one year was ST£ 8, 800 CAD, high end video editing software, and music software won’t run on thin clients, therefore some PCs have to be retained for specialist areas such as Technical Graphics, Music and Film. Interactive Whiteboards still need to run from a PC Angela Higgins 18 February 2009