Kiosks are small structures with screens and computers used for various purposes such as providing information, conducting financial transactions, and self-checkout. Kiosk software varies depending on the function and can restrict certain uses, offer paid services, and ensure privacy and security.
A kiosk in the realm of information technology is a small structure that includes a screen and a computer – even though the computer may not be seen by the user – often including some sort of setup that allows for user interaction, e.g. such as a keyboard or touch screen. Kiosks are used on the streets, at professional conferences and trade shows, in shopping malls, grocery stores and airports. They have many different purposes. Kiosk software refers to the system software and applications that run a kiosk and varies depending on the function that the kiosk performs.
Kiosks can simply provide information, acting as a multimedia advertisement. They may allow people to conduct financial transactions or provide e-ticketing or airport check-in services. Different types of kiosks are used for vending machines, ATM transactions, and for self-checkout at grocery stores. They can be configured to sample media content at stores that sell audio CDs, for example, or provide walk-up photo editing, email access, web browsing, or computer use. They can print a document, burn a CD, or provide change for your transactions. Each of these situations requires a different software solution.
Some types of kiosk software, such as that used for a strictly informational site, can simply run in a loop. While vandalism might be a problem, there isn’t much concern about privacy or security issues. With an Internet café or hospitality kiosk, on the other hand, the need to ensure that a user’s private information, such as search history, cookies, form data, passwords, etc., as well as any viruses or malicious content that might have been downloaded and need to be deleted — it is often addressed by a “cleanup” software.
Specially designed kiosk software allows kiosk owners to choose whether to offer services for free or charge using the user’s credit card. This is sometimes done by choosing different software or by setting options within the software. Kiosk software can also be used to separate paid services from free services. For example, a hotelier might provide computer access for free but set up an option in the software to charge for printing.
The Kiosk software can also be used to restrict certain uses of the computer. For example, when the use of a computer is offered, a designated browser can be set, the websites that the user can browse can be limited, and the applications that the user can access can be limited. Alternatively, the computer can be set to only one application or website, such as webmail. Additionally, some key combinations can be locked to prevent intentional or accidental deletion of items or other critical changes.
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