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I Don't RTFM and Neither Should You

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One of the neatest things I saw at the VMworld 2008 conference was the Jack PC from Chip PC. I've been around for long enough to remember all the hype about thin clients, and the promise that everything would live in the cloud.

Todd is intimately familiar with it, and he'll be more than happy to share his experiences in the early days with the failed NetworkStations :-)

I think this time around all the infrastructure is in place. 10-12 years ago we didn't have the network, nor great technology that exists from VMware and other companies. I think there is a much better chance that VDI, ThinComputing, whatever you want to call it, will take hold.

Great idea to have the Jack PC live in the wall and be powered over ethernet. That wouldn't have been possible 10 years ago. They are supposed to be sending one of their thin clients to all the lab attendees, hopefully it will arrive soon. I've got the spot in the kitchen that will work perfect !

http://www.vmworld.com/vmworld/servlet/JiveServlet/downloadImage/1254/JackPC+from+ChipPC.jpg

Tags: vdi, pc, jack, chippc


Sep 19, 2008 10:13 AM Click to view kingsfan01's profile kingsfan01

I've used these before... very cool technology. I set them up in our Operating Rooms at a surgery center I use to work with and had them connect internally to our Terminal Server. Great solution for keeping the areas sterile (no moving parts/fans/etc to blow or collect dust) and POE support made installation a breeze while not requiring additional power bricks in the OR.

I am planning on testing some of their new devices out (the standard models) with a new VDI deployment we are planning. Very excited about the possibilities.

Tyler

Sep 19, 2008 10:57 AM Click to view Scott Hanson's profile Scott Hanson in response to: kingsfan01

That was one of the first places I thought of when I saw them. How long have you had them installed in the OR ?

Someone I know is thinking about building a packaged solution with them for the doctors.

Sep 19, 2008 11:21 AM Click to view kingsfan01's profile kingsfan01 in response to: Scott Hanson

I installed them approx two years ago (I am assuming they are still in use, I left a year ago). I had it setup to work with a Unotron washable keyboard and mouse and a LCD monitor mounted on an articulating arm. They were primarily used for surgical scheduling, inventory management, etc while the PACS systems were beefier, purposed built solutions. The OR staff loved it and it seemed to be a perfect solution. I ended up using a standard HP ProCurve with POE and the whole thing worked very well. I liked the units more than the HP & Wyse thin clients that we were using in other areas of the facility (I tried out a few different models before rolling out the Jack PC). I would deffinately reccomend them.

Sep 19, 2008 11:22 AM Click to view kingsfan01's profile kingsfan01 in response to: kingsfan01

Woops... Meant to add a couple of links:

http://www.unotron.com/US/Products.html#WM10WashableMouse
http://www.unotron.com/US/Products.html#WashableWirelessKeyboard

Feb 23, 2009 11:32 AM Click to view Sam Johnston's profile Sam Johnston

These things are quite cool and I've been hanging out to deploy them, except for the browser choice. I'm hoping to see Linux versions with capable browsers some time soon.

Is that your photo? If so, can we use it for wikipedia under GFDL/CC-BY-SA?

Sam

Feb 23, 2009 11:39 AM Click to view Scott Hanson's profile Scott Hanson in response to: Sam Johnston

Yes that is my photo. Feel free to reuse under CC-BY-SA.

Feb 23, 2009 11:51 AM Click to view Sam Johnston's profile Sam Johnston in response to: Scott Hanson

Done:

Referenced here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plug_computer

Click to view Scott Hanson's profile

Scott Hanson

 Member since: Sep 10, 2007

Have you ever really "learned" anything from a manual ? ... yeah me neither, I use them after I get stuck trying to USE the stuff. Much better way to learn !

View scotthan's profile

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