[ubuntu] Open source digital signage application needed

[tech_guy]

Looking to switch from Windows XP & DSign on our digital signage system to Ubuntu but need a good open source program to use. Any suggestions? Many thanks.

[CyberNerd]

Xibo Open Source Digital Signage

[tech_guy]

Blimey that was quick! Many thanks!

[plexer]

Did you do a search before posting?

 

Ben

[tech_guy]

Did you do a search before posting?

 

Ben

 

Yes, but I'd rather look at something that a fellow Edugeeker recommends than faff around with the various choices on websites. I spent some time playing with Concerto last night but was wanting to look at alternatives.

Edited February 1, 2011 by tech_guy

[glennda]

Xibo is Unix backend but needs XP client although I think a Unix version is in the pipeline I believe

[mattx]

This seems a bit better than the over complicated crap which came with the stuff we got [ only 1 screen ] but the software is terrible - MagicINFO or something.

Soon gave up with it and just stick either power point slide shows or Irfan views slide shows via VNC !!

I wonder if this will work with the signage that we have which is an XP client - I'll give it a go after I have done all the other million and one things I've been given.....

[plexer]

Yes, but I'd rather look at something that a fellow Edugeeker recommends than faff around with the various choices on websites. I spent some time playing with Concerto last night but was wanting to look at alternatives.

 

Hi sorry I meant did you search edugeek before posting as there are a lot of threads like this and lots about xibo.

 

Thanks.

 

Ben

[tech_guy]

We have six screens but I just want something that is quick and easy to use, looks professional, and will be straightforward for a not very IT-literate colleague to use.

[tech_guy]

Hi sorry I meant did you search edugeek before posting as there are a lot of threads like this and lots about xibo.

 

Thanks.

 

Ben

 

Hi Ben,

 

Yes I know and I did but I was wondering what else was out there and being used successfully

[mattx]

We have six screens but I just want something that is quick and easy to use, looks professional, and will be straightforward for a not very IT-literate colleague to use.

 

What are you using to talk to the screens ? What screens are they ? I only have one and gave up using the Magic Info - on a flat network it point blankly refused to find it, [ No problem with VNC though !! ] then the software [ which held all the images and data etc ] I installed on a server was again nothing more than over complicated bloatware - took it off and gave up.

[glennda]

What are you using to talk to the screens ? What screens are they ? I only have one and gave up using the Magic Info - on a flat network it point blankly refused to find it, [ No problem with VNC though !! ] then the software [ which held all the images and data etc ] I installed on a server was again nothing more than over complicated bloatware - took it off and gave up.

 

If you look at the thread Anyone using Xibo there is lots about people putting the xibo client on the magicinfo ones

[tech_guy]

What are you using to talk to the screens ? What screens are they ? I only have one and gave up using the Magic Info - on a flat network it point blankly refused to find it, [ No problem with VNC though !! ] then the software [ which held all the images and data etc ] I installed on a server was again nothing more than over complicated bloatware - took it off and gave up.

 

We're using plasmas and LCDs with converters either end of cat5e runs from the PCs to the screens. The PCs ran Win XP Pro and the signage package was DSign.

[glennda]

If you continue with the xp machines and install the Xibo client then just install the server on either one of the xp machines using xampp or just create a vm if you use them for the server really easy install

[bart21]

We use Xibo here, it is really easy to set up and manage.

 

Any questions feel free to PM me.

 

nick

[rama1712]

Also Xibo all the way both windows and linux and such a dream to setup and run.

[fiza]

We have used Xibo for last 6 or so months. I do all the updates but what I wanted was for non IT literate colleagues to be able to put the info on the display. I find Xibo is not very user friendly for the "non-IT crowd". I then heard of Concerto running on Linux and although not as powerful (yet) as Xibo ie no video but it is very user friendly for colleagues to input data. You can have any one submit info and then have moderators for each screen who then accept or decline submissions. This is exactly what we wanted. I know nothing about Linux but it didnt take me long to figure it out and have my first screen running. Apparantly Concerto 2.0 is coming soon which will include Video.

 

Not sure if its what you are looking for but worth a look at.

[AVTechy]

That's an interesting read Fiza, this was useful to me so thanks for the info.

 

I've been testing out Xibo for a bit and quite liked the system which is certainly powerful and very flexible, but it does get complex once you start getting into user account permissions and schedules, particularly with more than a few screens. It also seems a little 'laggy' from time to time, although I've not really played with it that much to try and resolve it.

I'll have to give Concerto a go to see what that can do - user friendliness is always a time saver! Shame about the lack of video support, but I don't even know what our staff want to display yet.