Webconverger

Webconverger is a free Linux-based operating system that act as a web kiosk (browser-only) computing environment powered by open source technology and the well known Mozilla Firefox web browser.

It is ideal for public places where the need for guest computers or thin clients is a must, such as libraries, Internet Cafes, tourist information centres, and even banks. It provides users with only a web browser, locked down by default.

While Webconverger is extremely easy to setup and deploy, it requires very low system requirements and offers very good security. Not to mention that maintaining such a system is both cost effective and drop dead easy.

Distributed as a dual-arch Live CD

The system is distributed as a single Live CD ISO image deployable on either a USB flash drive, using the UNetbootin application, or on a blank CD or DVD disc, using any CD/DVD burning software.

Besides being a Live CD, the system can be installed permanently on a local disk drive, an operation that requires no previous knowledge with Linux OS installations, as you will basically have to press the Enter key on your keyboard three times.

Boot options

The Live CD can also be used to start and use the live environment directly from the boot medium, as well as to run a memory test or start an existing operating system. It’s supported only on 32-bit (i486 and i686-PAE) instruction set architectures.

A browser-only operating system

Before you can actually use the browser-only operating system, you’ll have to configure a few aspects, such as the start page, after how many minutes the kiosk will be restarted, choose between a user interface with or without URL address bar, as well as to disable the screensaver.

Bottom line

Overall, Webconverger is a pretty good lock down web kiosk computing environment that does not require registration or accounts, supports Flash and Java technologies, and it’s easy for new users to use immediately.

What is new in this release:

• Firefox 42
• Flash 11.2.202.548
• Further tweaks and lock downs

What is new in version 31:

• Fixed an issue with printing
• Pushed Firefox 39
• Further locked down some new Mozilla anti-features like social services, pocket and hello URLs
• Received a fantastic endorsement from the (Internet) famous security pundit SwiftOnSecurity

What is new in version 30:

• So we skipped version 29 and 30 marks the fact that we are on Debian Jessie 8.0. Hopefully the only difference you will notice is that this new release should run a bit better on newer hardware. There is an unfortunate caveat that if you are using a 486 kernel based Webconverger, your upgrade will not go smoothly. We noticed that most people using the 486 kernel were doing so mistakenly and we've asked the very few people that are affected, to please simply re-install with any version since 25. Usually you will find your machine to run better, since it's taking advantage of 686 multicore architecture. So yes, we are dropping 486 support.

What is new in version 27.1:

• Better Intel support, we do recommend NUC hardware and this update will give more flexibility with external displays
• Rebranded to our new logo and do check out our refreshed Website!
• Includes Firefox 34 with accompanying security fixes
• New 3.16 kernel for better hardware support
• New tabswitch= API, a convenient function to switch between tabs when used for Digital Signage
• Important Flash security updates, so important that Mozilla blocked

What is new in version 26.0:

• Revised boot menu; helping you get started with Neon, our Web signage product
• Firefox 32
• Basic proxy authentication. A customer wanted this to fit into their complex Windows deployment, so now you have it too.
• Tab right click menu removed to make user interface simpler
• Bug fixes to the print button and the job scheduler API (cron=)
• The usual stable security updates and Adobe Flash, with an additional font to make Flash video text render correctly

What is new in version 25.0:

• New super simple whitelist= filtering option
• New numlock API, to assist deployments in banks and such for numpad data entry
• Incorporated Firefox 29/30 based Australis user interface refresh, being very careful to minimise its impact on our conservative userbase
• Downsized 397M->375M, losing ~22M
• nvidia video card support restored with the nouveau driver
• Various SSL and flash security updates

What is new in version 24.0:

• Firefox 28
• MP4 video playing support, so you can use an MP4 video now to attract patrons to your service when idle
• Flash security updates, though do try HTML video instead, so we can deprecate Flash
• Linux kernel 3.12, a longterm stable kernel
• New filter= API which complements our new (yet to be launched) filter.webconverger.com service for fine grained blacklisting (think OpenDNS, but cheaper)

What is new in version 23.0:

• Linux 3.10 kernel for increased hardware compatibility
• Firefox 26 and Flash updates
• A change to make installed version upgrades and downgrades more bandwidth efficient
• BUGFIX: When using a non-English locale, Accept Language headers are properly set. So for some Web applications, pages will be automatically in your language!

What is new in version 22.0:

• grabdrag API for better touch screen support.
• Emoji fonts!