Diner Menus

[Simes1982]

Hi. We have four screens in our diner/canteen that display menus that change daily for breakfast, break time and lunch. I am currently using posterbooking.com to display them but their schuduling system is not updating automatically and their customer service is terrible. This requires me to update the screens manually 3 times a day remotely using Raspberry Pi connect (the screens are connected to a raspberry pi each). I am just wondering what solutions you have in place for displaying menus? Scheduling is a must as the menus change daily.

Thank you

[akidosaint]

Would XIbo not be a consideration used it previously so could schedule things and if you gave access to office staff they could up date documentation

[TechMonkey]

Xibo, Trilby or any signage solution would do that.

[Simcfc73]

I use Yodeck, really easy to use... you can use your own PI devices too.

 

Not free though

[Simes1982]

Ah yes I was looking for a free solution that someone might be using in their school.

[DWilson1997]

Canva Websites? That is that we do, easy to maintain - dining hall staff make the changes and click 'publish' and it goes live on the displays. Whilst you could use a device such as a Raspberry Pi to load the webpage we use Trilby TV.

[Noxid_w]

Another shout out to Xibo. We have it running in a docker container on a linux server. Works great. We even utilise their hardware DSCS9X boxes.

 

EDIT: forgot to mention, Xibo is opensource so "free".

[Simes1982]

Interesting I will take a look. Thank you!

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

This sounds cool. I will have a look into it. Thank you

[Simes1982]

Ah. Looks like it isn't compatible with raspberry pi

[Simes1982]

They need to automatically change menus on a daily basis

[Noxid_w]

Ah. Looks like it isn't compatible with raspberry pi

You can technically run it on RPI if you run android on them. It's just not officially supported though.

[TechMonkey]

Canva Websites? That is that we do, easy to maintain - dining hall staff make the changes and click 'publish' and it goes live on the displays. Whilst you could use a device such as a Raspberry Pi to load the webpage we use Trilby TV.

 

I did not know about this, that would be very cool for various staff. Thank you!

[DWilson1997]

I did not know about this, that would be very cool for various staff. Thank you!

 

It doesn't have built in scheduling though so you might still need a signage platform to actually schedule the website changes.

[DrBeaker]

Setup a layout for the catering manager to update and done.

 

Their content, their responsibility. That task shouldn't ever become an IT job.

 

Xibo is excellent for this. Although their GUI still needs a lot of work but their cloud CMS has been brilliant and yet to fail me.

[TechMonkey]

It doesn't have built in scheduling though so you might still need a signage platform to actually schedule the website changes.

 

We have Trilby, it is just finding the best way for busy non-technical staff to update or add content. This might fill the gap for the Catering team

[DrBeaker]

We have Trilby, it is just finding the best way for busy non-technical staff to update or add content. This might fill the gap for the Catering team

To me the logic is you've provided the tool (the computer) for them to do their job.

 

If the system isn't working for you (IT support) as a system/function, then you should have the power to change it. E.g. you now require scheduling on your system and the current solution is no longer meeting your needs. So say you need to change it otherwise they can update it themselves.

 

So they should update it otherwise do you end up doing THEIR job for them?

Would you stick up an old fashioned hand made poster or would that be them?

 

A lot of IT involves computers being used for previous manual processes to make things faster, more efficient, more reliable and easier to do.

NOT for IT support ending up doing the work for them.

THIS is often the cause of lots of problems, confusion and issues in this sector.

 

I have no vested interest in this but spent a LOT of time researching into digital signage and every time it came back to Xibo because of the power and relative flexibility of the platform compared to others (and lower cost)

 

The GUI is not the easiest. But set it up with scheduling and forget it.

You can have windows players or android units etc.

We went with the hosted cloud and have not regretted it once.

Edited October 18, 2024 by DrBeaker

[Simes1982]

I looks like XIBO charge now

[DrBeaker]

I looks like XIBO charge now

 

They do charge for hosted, of course. It's NOTHING compared to the money I see wasted in schools and delivers a high quality service.

 

You can self-host but there's no support apart from yourself.

Edited October 21, 2024 by DrBeaker

[TechMonkey]

To me the logic is you've provided the tool (the computer) for them to do their job.

 

If the system isn't working for you (IT support) as a system/function, then you should have the power to change it. E.g. you now require scheduling on your system and the current solution is no longer meeting your needs. So say you need to change it otherwise they can update it themselves.

 

So they should update it otherwise do you end up doing THEIR job for them?

Would you stick up an old fashioned hand made poster or would that be them?

 

A lot of IT involves computers being used for previous manual processes to make things faster, more efficient, more reliable and easier to do.

NOT for IT support ending up doing the work for them.

THIS is often the cause of lots of problems, confusion and issues in this sector.

 

I have no vested interest in this but spent a LOT of time researching into digital signage and every time it came back to Xibo because of the power and relative flexibility of the platform compared to others (and lower cost)

 

The GUI is not the easiest. But set it up with scheduling and forget it.

You can have windows players or android units etc.

We went with the hosted cloud and have not regretted it once.

 

Totally get where you are coming from but this is just a case of they are a non-techncial team, willing to adopt technical methods but they also have a busy kitchen to run and events schedule. So, anything I can do to help them carry out their tasks is a bonus. There would be no difference between Trilby or XIBO (I've used XIBO in the past and yes it is lovely but not friendly for other users to use) and this Canva web pages would be a good solution for either to allow users to update their own content

[DrBeaker]

Totally get where you are coming from but this is just a case of they are a non-techncial team, willing to adopt technical methods but they also have a busy kitchen to run and events schedule. So, anything I can do to help them carry out their tasks is a bonus. There would be no difference between Trilby or XIBO (I've used XIBO in the past and yes it is lovely but not friendly for other users to use) and this Canva web pages would be a good solution for either to allow users to update their own content

True and I've found THIS... The biggest stumbling block to any digital signage system.

 

E.g. But there's a bit of technical side to cooking too, to understand the fundamentals to actually understand the more complex things.

 

Back to topic...Otherwise we found exporting/savings files as JPGs and MP4s was the easiest way of doing it.

 

But again not to be that person...but it's nearly 2025, so 30x years of the start menu in windows. So the excuse from staff of not having basic computer skills is wearing a bit thin after all these years when a lot of complexity behind the systems has been dumbed down. E.g. these people can take a photo on a phone and upload it to socials media etc but "can't do this (upload and image) as it's too complex".

 

 

Come on dudes, 🫤 [emoji849]

[Simes1982]

Hi there. I am looking at using Xibo. What devices have you successfully used for this? Thank you