Aboitiz Foundation adopts ‘thin client’ system for computer donations

THE Aboitiz Foundation is adopting the “thin client system” for its computer donations to public schools to minimize virus attacks, make maintenance easier and bring down costs of system acquisition and repair.

The project will soon have its test run in a school in Cebu City and another one in Consolacion town in northern Cebu.

If proven successful, it will be replicated by the Aboitiz Group companies nationwide.

The program will be implemented in public schools where the foundation donated computers.

The foundation’s previous donations were personal computers that can run on their own and allow users to perform complex and broader tasks. But usage of these computers is not maximized because these are used only for tasks like typing documents, making spreadsheet files, creating presentations and searching for information on the Internet.

In a thin client system, all computers are networked and relying on a powerful unit, the server, to perform regular computing functions.

Because all units are linked to the server, maintenance is easier.

The Linux operating system and Open Source software may be downloaded online. The two softwares would lessen the probability of virus attacks.

The foundation will conduct trainings for teachers to familiarize them with Linux once the thin client system is applied.

The thin client features individual password-protected accounts, user profile information and personal and shared file storage space for teachers.

For students, the computers allot individual folders where each student can store their files.

The thin client system has lower operational costs, allowing the foundation to use the savings generated from the use of the new system for other projects.

The United States Peace Corps recently briefed the Aboitiz Foundation about the thin client system as it has already implemented the system in some schools in Cebu.