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Screensaver
One of the main functions of the screensaver option is to make sure that the content you defined will be displayed whenever SiteKiosk is not in use. In addition, this option ensures that the activities of the previous user (History/Cache/Cookies) will be erased automatically and the ongoing session will be closed (click also
here to learn how to configure these settings).
In addition, SiteKiosk versions 9.7 and higher include a SiteCaster Digital Signage CMS solution. SiteCaster allows you to create projects using SiteRemote the content of which you will then also be able to play pack in SiteKiosk.
Note for usage of Digital Signage (legacy product):
Digital Signage is discontinued and can only be used with existing configuration files. Please use SiteCaster instead.
While you can deactivate the screensaver function, we advise you NOT to do so for reasons of stability and data protection!
To disable the screensaver, open the configuration file you created in an editor and look for the entry <screensaver enabled="true">. Set this entry to false.
The configuration page that lets you adjust the
Screensaver resolution is no longer available as of SiteKiosk version 7. By default, SiteKiosk uses the screen resolution configured under Windows. If you want SiteKiosk to explicitly use a certain screen resolution when it starts, you can open the configuration file you created in an editor. Look for the entry given below
:
<screenmode>
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<xpres>800</xpres>
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<yres>600</yres>
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<bitdepth>16</bitdepth>
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<frequency>0</frequency>
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<autoset>false</autoset>
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...
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</screenmode>
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Set autoset to true and change the settings for screen width (xres), screen height (yres), color quality (bitdepth), and refresh rate (frequency) to the desired values. Make sure that the computer on which you intend to use this configuration supports displaying the selected resolution.
SiteKiosk versions 7.8 and higher also let you restrict the SiteKiosk application to only a part of your screen. To change the margins, look for this segment:
<screenmode>
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...
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<workarea enabled="false">
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<capture-mouse>true</capture-mouse>
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<left>0</left>
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<top>0</top>
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<right>100</right>
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<bottom>100</bottom>
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</workarea>
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</screenmode>
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Set enabled to true for workarea to activate the use of the following values. The capture-mouse value determines whether you are allowed to move the mouse outside of the SiteKiosk area. The other values (0-100%) determine the coordinates for the edges of the SiteKiosk application in relation to the desktop dimensions.
1. Content for the screensaver
1.1 SiteCaster
SiteKiosk versions 9.7 and higher allow you to use the
SiteCaster Digital Signage CMS solution.
SiteCaster is a Content Management System (CMS) for kiosk terminals and ad displays. You can use SiteCaster to create and manage content that you can distribute to one or several hundred displays. A versatile editor enables you to make custom designs to show texts, images, videos and also for example weather information. Pre-defined and editable templates allow for a quick access to numerous usage scenarios. A simple but effective rights system makes it easy to specifically allow content editing to certain editors only. This prevents changes by mistake and simplifies usage by hiding unused controls.
If you want to make use of SiteCaster, you have to create a team on
www.siteremote.net or run your own
SiteRemote server. You will configure all of your SiteCaster content under your SiteRemote team. The configuration under your SiteRemote team includes the management of your content and the creation of projects for the individual computers. Click here
to learn more about how to use SiteCaster.
1.2 SiteKiosk Start Page
After selecting the SiteKiosk Start Page, you will see the
Start Page you specified in SiteKiosk.
1.3 SiteKiosk Player
The SiteKiosk Player lets you view different types of files in full screen mode.
You can view all file formats that your browser is capable of displaying, too. These formats include: .HTML, .HTM, .SWF (Flash), .PDF, .gif, .jpg, .bmp, etc. Furthermore, you can display RSS feeds (XML), videos, and text files.
Use the Settings button to open the configuration options used for SiteKiosk Player.
- Add/Edit/Remove/Test
These buttons will help you fill and manage the play list in SiteKiosk Player.
- Random call sequence
The pages are displayed in the order in which they have been added to the list. You can use the position arrows to specify their positions on the list. Turn on the checkbox "Random call sequence" to start a random generator which will open the added pages in random order. This may be important to you if you, for example, want to display pages of your advertising partners and make sure the pages of your different partners are shown with the same frequency.
- Time interval between pages (seconds)
When adding a file to the list, you can specify how long the pages are supposed to be displayed. If you do not specify a custom interval, the time set here will determine how much time has to pass before the next file on the list is called.
Use the test button to instantly view the adjustments you have made to the settings of SiteKiosk Player.
If you want to use files in the Player that you download from the Internet using a dial-up connection, you must turn off the Connect on Demand Option in SiteKiosk to ensure you are using a permanent connection to download content from the Internet.
Please note that SiteKiosk Player is available as a regular Windows screensaver irrespective of its use in SiteKiosk.
SiteKiosk Player cannot handle SiteKiosk Object Model scripts. If you need this feature, please use the SiteKiosk Start Page option or save your scripts to an external script file and use the OnScreenSaverBegin event.
1.4 Windows screensaver
You can also select a screensaver that has been installed in the Windows directory "...\Windows\system32"
(on Windows x64 "...\Windows\SysWOW64").
Preview allows you to view the screensaver you specified immediately after you have selected it.
Please note that some Windows screensavers have user-specific settings (e.g. custom texts). These settings must be applied under the Windows user who is normally supposed to use SiteKiosk, e.g. the SiteKiosk user.
2.1 Supported Devices
The following devices can be used to control the screensaver.
Mouse & Keyboard only
Screensaver mode will come on after a specified period of missing mouse or keyboard entries.
Webcam motion sensor
Apart from specifying missing mouse and keyboard entries, you can also enable/disable the screensaver by using any ordinary webcam. Use the Settings button to adjust this option to fit your needs.
The status indicator turns red if motion is detected and remains green while no motion is detected. The threshold represents the sensitivity - the lower the value, the higher the sensitivity. The timeout represents the waiting period that has to elapse before the motion sensor is reset to "no motion detected" after motion has been sensed.
Always use the latest available drivers for the webcam. Should you experience problems, please also try using older driver versions.
Echo-Finder HB1033
SiteKiosk supports the Echo-Finder HB1033 proximity sensor. Please click on the Settings button to detect the connected device.
TF2000/pcProx proximity sensor
In addition to keyboard and mouse, you can use a
ComputerProx TF2000 or
RF IDeas pcProx Sonar proximity sensor to turn the screensaver on/off. Use the Settings button to adjust this option to fit your needs.
This product is available under different model names. Should SiteKiosk not automatically work with the device, please use the Search button to let SiteKiosk detect it. Following successful detection, SiteKiosk will add the device to the ..\SiteKiosk\xml\ScreensaverActivators.xml file. If this XML file is copied to another terminal, SiteKiosk will be able to automatically work with the device on that terminal without the need to search for it.
Larco USB mat
Another option is to use a
Larco USB pressure mat. When you decide to use this option to enable/disable the screensaver in addition to mouse and keyboard entries, screensaver mode will be controlled by a person stepping onto the mat. The screensaver will stay off for as long a person is standing on the mat.
This product is available under different model names. Should SiteKiosk not automatically work with the device, please use the Search button to let SiteKiosk detect it. Following successful detection, SiteKiosk will add the device to the ..\SiteKiosk\xml\ScreensaverActivators.xml file. If this XML file is copied to another terminal, SiteKiosk will be able to automatically work with the device on that terminal without the need to search for it.
Larco COM mat
The
Larco pressure mat is also available as a COM port version. When you decide to use this option to enable/disable the screensaver in addition to mouse and keyboard entries, screensaver mode will be controlled by a person stepping onto the mat. The screensaver will stay off for as long a person is standing on the mat.
HRUSB-MaxSonar-EZ
In addition to keyboard and mouse, you can use a
HRUSB-MaxSonar-EZ ultrasonic sensor to turn the screensaver on/off. Use the Settings button to adjust this option to fit your needs.
IBM MotionSensor AnyPlace Kiosk 4838-5xx, 7xx,9xx
SiteKiosk also supports the
IBM motion sensor Anyplace for kiosk systems. Please open the settings dialog box and specify the device name you configured for the sensor in the IBM OPOS configuration tool.
To allow the sensor to also run in "auto start" mode may require that you adjust the access permissions to the directory in which the IBM OPOS software was installed (read and execute).
You can use the System Security Manager to modify the access permissions (-->Custom-->File Access).
2.2 Idle time before activating the screensaver
Defines the number of seconds that must elapse, without user interaction, before the screensaver comes on or the slideshow mode is activated. Similarly to the Windows screensaver, the SiteKiosk screensaver will come on after the computer has not detected any interaction (mouse/keyboard input) during this time.
3.1 Hide mouse cursor
Will hide the mouse cursor while the slideshow is active.
3.2 Execute logout
If this function is enabled, the
logout settings for temporary Internet files and cookies are applied every time the SiteKiosk screensaver comes on.
3.3 Do not activate screensaver if credit available
If this option and the
Payment module are activated, the screensaver of SiteKiosk will not start when there is credit left. This ensures that browser windows or applications that may still be in use by a user are not closed.
3.4 Monitor input of game controllers (e.g. joysticks)
You should turn this option on especially if you want to allow users to play DirectX games within SiteKiosk. If turned on, SiteKiosk will notice any mouse, keyboard, or joystick input and reset the internal counter counting down the time before the screensaver kicks in.
3.5 Display a warning dialog box 15 seconds before the screensaver is activated
Allows you to show a reminder that the screensaver is about to be activated.
3.6 Open this web page/file upon deactivation
This option allows you to have SiteKiosk call up a web page or a file when the screensaver turns off.
4. Tips and recommendations
- The screensaver has a "cleaning effect." In clearing history, cache, and cookies (if activated under the advanced settings), it makes sure that new users do not have access to the data of a previous user. In addition, it closes all windows and programs.
- If you do not change the screensaver settings at all, the SiteKiosk Player will automatically be loaded after 300 seconds of missing user interaction and open the website www.provisio.com.
- When you are running an unregistered version of SiteKiosk, SiteKiosk will only block the Windows screensaver under the limited SiteKiosk user.
See also
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