Trukiosk

Article
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What is an Interactive Kiosk?
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Who Uses Kiosks?
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The Anatomy of a Kiosk
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Kiosk Software
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Kiosk Management Software
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Product Application

Kiosk Software

There are three categories of software that run on interactive kiosks:
operating system (OS) software, application software, and management software.

Operating System Software

Like your desktop PC, an interactive kiosk must have an operating system,
which is a basic set of tools that allows a computer to identify its hardware
and run itsapplications.

In many cases, kiosk owners simply run a desktop OS like Microsoft Windows,
and use 3rd party software to cover up any holes and add in kiosk-specific
features, such as tamper-proofing and remote control.

Recently, though, operating systems designed solely to run interactive
kiosks have been built and deployed by several companies. Trukiosk is one
such example of a "true"interactive kiosk OS.

Application Software

Kiosk software applications come in many varieties, and are often custom-tailored
for each kiosk project. In some cases, a kiosk owner may simply modify an existing
software product to make it sufficient for public use.

But while a kiosk used for public web browsing might simply run a regular web browser
customized with special buttons and images, more sophisticated kiosk applications
are typically written from scratch, and are purpose-built to handle the rigors of public use.

For example, many musicretailers allow customers to "browse" their inventory via special kiosks
that play music clips from acatalog of CDs. The software that plays the music, brings up an image
of the album cover, and provides information about the musician is a custom kiosk application.

All of the other functions typically found in a personal computer are hidden,
as are any unnecessary buttons and windows. Another popular application
is the movie ticketing kiosk mentioned earlier. Instead of waiting in line at the theater,
a customer can simply go to a kiosk, insert his credit card, select the name of the movie
and showtime from a list, and have tickets printed instantly.