Configuring your Mac Kiosk

Kiosk ID: This can be anything that suits your organization. If a central user database is used, each session recorded in the database will include the kiosk id.

Password: This is the password required to display the preferences window. Check Display to see the password in clear text. A password is only required when a valid license is present. The default password is password.

Machine ID: This generated ID is unique to each Mac computer and is required to purchase a license. This ensures that each license only works for the computer it was purchased for.

Maximum # windows: This value limits the number of web browser windows that can be be opened at any given time. It is used to prevent users from trying to crash the computer by opening thousands of windows.

Inactivity timeout: This is the number of minutes without keyboard or mouse activity before the system closes the session and returns to the initial state. You have the option to display a warning if a session is in progress. If “Show warning” is checked, a “Do you really want to quit?” message will be displayed for 15 seconds before closing the session in case the user is still present.

End of session – Warn user at: If Warn user at is checked, the timer will turn red at the specified number of seconds before the end of the session. This is used to draw attention to the timer.

Delete cookies: Check this value to delete all cookies at the end of each session. This should always be checked for public access kiosks but probably not on your personal computer.

Clear pasteboard: Check this value to clear the pasteboard (clipboard) at the end of each session. This should always be checked for public access kiosks but probably not on your personal computer.

Delete cache: Check this value to delete the cache at the end of each session.

Hide cursor: This is meant for touchscreen kiosks only.

Browsing log: Enable this feature if you want a log of visited websites to be created. Only the part before the “?” in the URL will be saved to exclude private data. The log file is saved as:

~/Library/Application Support/eCrisper/Browsing.log

Search from URL: When this value is checked, the user can perform a Google search from the URL text field.

User agent: When you visit a webpage, your browser sends the user-agent string to the server hosting the site that you are visiting. This string indicates which browser you are using, its version number, and details about your system, such as operating system and version. The web server can use this information to provide content that is tailored for your specific browser.

Delay before loading webviews: When restarting the computer with the kiosk mode enabled, eCrisper is launched automatically when rebooting. In some cases eCrisper might be finished loading before the Internet connection is ready. In that case it is a good idea to delay loading the initial web pages.

Printing orientation: Select Portrait or Landscape for printing.

Printing scale: Lets you shrink or enlarge pages when you print..

Printing margins: Select printing margins – 72 points = 1 inch = 2.54 cm. Note that your printer may not be able to print all the way to 0.

Print panel: Check Display if you wish the users to be presented with the Print panel when clicking on the print button. You can also choose to allow users to print specific pages by checking Include page range.

Start Kiosk Mode: If you click on this button, eCrisper will be added to a list of applications Mac OS X launches after a successful login and then makes sure that it is always running. Clicking on Return to Desktop will cancel the kiosk mode and allow you access to the Desktop.

Warning: After you change the password, test it at least once before setting using the Start Kiosk Mode button. When it is in kiosk mode, your only way out is through the Preferences window. Even rebooting would not save you.