"Can Network Computers be an Alternative to PCs in the Library?" Olga Verbeek, Salve Regina University
February 2000

What is a network computer?

A network computer is a thin-client solution to web-based products and applications. A thin client is usually a diskless desktop workstation that has a limited number of built-in applications, in this case a web browser, and a server that provides direct access to any other application. Network computers have been on the market for a while, but have had limited success to this point. Now two companies, IBM and SUN Microsystems, have introduced new desktop thin clients.

Who manufactures network computers?

This past September, IBM introduced a new line of network computers, IBM's Network Station family. The Series 2200, based on X86 architecture, is a low-cost thin client ideal for server-based and interactive browser-based applications. The browser for this client is Netscape 3.1. This model is not very suitable in today's high-tech library.

The IBM Network Station Series 2800, on the other hand, is a high performance thin client that has Intel Pentium 450 MHz and 64MB of RAM that can be upgraded to 256MB. Its web browser is Netscape 4.04. It supports Adobe Acrobat Reader 3.0 and Java-based applications. It includes a keyboard and mouse.

IBM uses Network Station Manager software to manage the network stations. This program can run on many platforms including Windows NT and OS/2.

Sun Microsystems' network computer is called the JavaStation. It supplies its own browser that supports HTTP 1.1 protocol, HTML 3.2, and Java Development Kit (JDK 1.1). It uses a SPARC Version 8, 100-Mhz microSPARC-Iiep processor with 16MB to 64MB main memory and an optional 4MB flash memory. It comes complete with keyboard, mouse and choice of monitor (14-in. to 19-in.). It runs JavaOS 1.1.

SUN uses Netra j 3.0 software to manage the JavaStations and this software can run on any Sun server running Solaris 2.5.1 or 2.6. It employs open industry standards, so the Sun server can co-exist in non-Sun networks.

My Thoughts on the IBM2800 Network Station

Benefits! Here at Salve Regina University's McKillop Library we are testing the IBM Network Station Series 2800 as an alternative to PCs in areas of the library that are not supervised, such as our second and third floors. The Network Station is ideal for such areas. The stations require zero administration at the desktop and are basically maintenance free as users cannot change any of the station's settings. One server can maintain many stations. They provide most of the electronic research tools needed by the library's patrons. They can be configured to provide printing and server-mounted CD-ROM access. The price for a Network Station is less than a PC by approximately $300.00.

Limitations! The Network Station does not support many software plugins available on the Internet for the latest in web page delivery. This includes RealPage (used by some online journals), Shockwave, or IBM's TechExplorer Hypermedia browser. Its screen resolution is 640X480, whereas most modern computers support 800X600, if not better. It supports a limited number of fonts. Our test demo has 32MB of main memory and it can not load any PDF files as it runs out of memory. There isn't any way to upgrade the software of the NetStation unless IBM decides to do it. (It is not part of the contract with IBM.)

My Recommendations! At this point, I still think the Network Station would be suitable for patron access to a library's electronic resources in unsupervised areas of the library or in a cyber cafÈ. I do not think they are suitable in high-use heavy research areas of the library. These areas definitely need the flexibility and power of the PC to meet the rapid advances in electronic resource delivery by the vendors.

Further Connections...

IBM Network Station Series
Sun Microsystems JavaStations

Olga Verbeek
Information Systems Librarian
McKillop Library
Salve Regina University
Newport, RI 02840
verbeeko@salve.edu
Comments Welcome!