About
Conecta Research has developed EveryDesk, a reinterpretation of the Linux desktop. It executes from a 4Gb USB Key, and allows the user to run a modern and efficient Linux Desktop on most PCs without the need of changing or removing the native operating system such as Windows. Designed to be used in Public Administrations or as an enterprise desktop, EveryDesk is a real OS on a USB key, not a live CD, and as such allows for extensive customization and adaptation to each Public Administration need. It is the result of the open sourcing of parts of the Conecta HealthDesk system, designed using the result of our past European projects COSPA (a large migration experiment for European Public Administrations), SPIRIT (open source health care), OpenTTT (OSS technology transfer) and CALIBRE (open source for industrial environments).
EveryDesk is a binary image designed for 4GB USB keys, easy to install with a single command both on Linux and Windows, simple to replicate and adapt. It does provide a simple and pleasing user interface, with several pre-installed applications and native support for Active Directory. EveryDesk supports roaming/nomadic work through a special mode that stores all user data on a remote SMB server (both Samba and Windows are supported). This way, the user’s USB key contains no personal data, and can be used in environments that manage sensitive data, like health care or law enforcement. The image is adapted for solid state storage, reducing device wear.
The files and images can be downloaded from the SourceForge project page.
EveryDesk integrates a simple and easy to use menu, derived from Novell usability research studies, providing one-click access to individual programs, documents, places; easy installation of new software or updates, thanks to the fully functional package manager.
EveryDesk includes support for Terminal services, VNC, VmWare View and other remote access protocols.
EveryDesk includes a native virtualization layer, that allows to execute directly on the client Windows applications in a seamless way. The virtual image can be local (for users that want to try EveryDesk without changes to the local environment), mounted remotely (when the VMI is stored on an external SMB server) or diffuse (using a replicated filesystem technology – for the moment XtreemFS, from the European Project XtreemOS, but through an adaptation layer it will be open to other distributed file systems).
The flexible technology allows for a progressive adoption strategy, that from an initial exploration phase (by using the local Windows apps through the local virtualization mode) can be extended in a simple and straightforward way to more centralized and managed VMI storage. When employing the distributed storage, VMI are differentially replicated across WANs, making it possible for a nomadic user to use EveryDesk and one or more Windows images when in one office, disconnect and find the changes already propagated to the other remote offices – in a truly location transparent way. For more information, contact us: everydesk@conecta.co.uk
The environment is fast, boots on most PCs under 8 seconds, and provides native support for Active Directory integration, including a « roaming profile » mode that saves all user data on a central storage server. This way, the user’s USB key contains no personal data, and can be used in environments that manage sensitive data, like health care or law enforcement.
The image is adapted for solid state storage, reducing device wear. The user interface has been tailored and simplified, to provide a nice-looking and simple environment for first time users.