Userful in the news

NOTE: Within these articles Userful Desktop™ may be referred to as "DiscoverStation", Userful Multiplier™ referred to as "Desktop Multiplier", and Userful Manager™ referred to as "Network Personalizer"

Calgary Herald - Calgary entrepreneur liberates desktops (9/22/08)
"One Computer, One Child" is the rallying cry for a generation of technology education observers. But a Calgary entrepreneur would love to see a slight change in that slogan: "One Computer, 10 Workstations, 10 Children."

Computerworld Australia - Schools offered free 30-user virtual desktop suite (9/15/08)
"Every educational institution in the world has been offered a free 30-user license to a virtual desktop suite. Based on Linux, the suite has the potential to provide significant power savings."

CIOL News - Userful plans Indian entry (09/01/08)
"Userful, a Calgary-based software company that has helped its customers cut global CO2 emissions by more than 29,000 tonnes over the last 12 months (the environmental equivalent of taking 5,000 cars off the road), is preparing to ramp-up sales of its ecologically-friendly software."

Signal Connections - Software Switches One Computer Into Many (06/16/08)
"A Canadian company is offering two free software packages that allow a single computer to support two workstations. Besides supporting multiple computers, the software provides computers with a range of office applications..."

Industry Europe - Green Computing (05/08)
Userful Corporation, the worldwide leader in public computing, claims in the past year its software that allows up to 10 people to work from one computer has saved 29,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, the equivalent of taking more than 5000 cars off the road!

Firefox News - Want a free computer? (04/21/08)
"Want to double your productivity and be green at the same time? An Alberta, Canada, company named Userful can get you two computers for the price of the one you already have, with its free software that can connect two or more computers to the same PC, more fully utilizing each computer, and reducing electronic waste by up to 80 percent. ..."

TMCnet - Going Green With Computing To Celebrate Earth Day (04/17/08)
"Software can change your business, but can it help curtail CO2 emissions? Apparently so. Public computing company Userful Corporation announced this week that in the past year, its software that allows up to 10 people to work from one computer has saved 29,000 tons of CO2 emissions, which is the equivalent of taking more than 5,000 cars off the road. ..."

PALINET Podcasts - Technology Conversations - Daniel Griffin of Userful (03/04/08)
Podcast interview with Daniel Griffin, VP of Public Computing. "At ALA Midwinter, we talked about Userful’s public computing products, which run on Linux PCs and are largely based on open source software. I started out by asking Daniel about a presentation he and some of his customers were going to give, later in the conference."

CanadaOne - Turn your PC into two or more, instantly! (03/08)
"For the majority of small businesses the main aspect of this process is the purchase of a set of computers and creation of a network for all employees. Up until now this has meant spending thousands of dollars on computer hardware, network peripherals, and software. That is until a new program from Canadian software company Userful Corporation was introduced."

DottoTech - Public Computing (03/05/08)
"Userful is a Canadian company that has done a great job in taking on the challenge and coming up with a interesting solution, one that is used across the world in schools, libraries, camps, cafés and military compounds."

eSchool News - Free software that turns one PC into two (02/22/08)
Userful's Desktop Multiplier solution is helping schools cut IT costs. As school leaders look for inexpensive ways to extend computing resources to every student, a Canadian company says it is giving away software that turns one computer workstation into two.

The Earth Times- Userful continues giving away software that turns 1 computer into 2 (02/07/08)
"Need an extra PC around the house? Userful is giving away its innovative software that gives you a second computer for free. They had such a warm response to their holiday giveaway that they have decided to continue giving away the software. It is the perfect way to reduce line-ups for the computer as spouses, parents, and children battle for a turn."

Scoop - Software giveaway turns 1 computer into 2 (01/15/08)
"Need an extra PC around the house this holiday season? Userful is giving away its innovative software that gives you a second computer for free. This is the perfect way to reduce line-ups for the computer as guests, relatives and children crowd your house this holiday. ..."

APC Magazine- Turn one PC into two for free (01/15/08)
"How do you like the sound of taking one machine, and having two people logged into it simultaneously? Sounds pretty neat to me, and it's free too, which is always a tick in the right box. ..."

Computer Technology Review - Free Desktop Multiplier Software Creates Two PCs Out of One (01/15/08)
"Userful is giving away a two-user license for its Desktop Multiplier software that enables a single computer to support multiple users at the same time. The free two-user license distributed under this promotion enables users with an extra video card (or a dual-head video card) to add an extra workstation by simply plugging in a spare monitor, USB keyboard and mouse. This software makes it possible for two users to work on the same PC at the same time. ..."

Digital Journal - Canadian Software Lets You Turn One Computer Into Two, Completely Free (12/19/07)
"Using software created by an Alberta company, you can get a second computer in your house this holiday season free. In fact, the software is capable of splitting your PC into 10, saving you money and saving the environment at the same time. ..."

Dotto Tech TV - Go Green (Episode Featuring Userful) (10/15/07)
"If you've ever had a yearning to open your own cyber café, Steve takes a look at a public computing system developed by Userful, a Calgary-based company supplies economical and environmentally responsible solutions for public access to the internet. ..."

PC World Community Voices - Linux Not Ready for the Desktop? Really? (10/10/07)
"I was somewhat amused to read Michael Gartenberg's comments that Linux is still not ready for the desktop. Please don't tell that to any of the people who last year logged in 40,000 times to the 28 Linux computers at our small town library and community center in Takoma Park, Maryland. These people are using a Linux solution called Userful, which puts up with robust use day in and day out. ..."

IT World Canada- Homewood SUSE desktop migration cuts costs (09/25/07)
"Homewood Health Care, with the help of Edmonton, Alta.-based Novell partner Omni Technology Solutions Inc., deployed Desktop Multiplier for SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktops (SLED) powered by Userful, the Calgary, Alta.-based provider of the technology ..."

New Vision Online (Uganda) - 10 computers to be linked to one CPU (09/23/07)
"Software that enables multiple computer users to share one Central Processing Unit (CPU) has been launched. The software, referred to as 10 in 1, is expected to reduce costs on hardware and costs caused by e-wastage. ..."

Canada.com - Canadian company nails concept of public computing (09/05/07)
"Author Steve Dotto: I spent some time this week playing with and learning about the concept of public computing -- computers placed in public locations, primarily for accessing the Internet... A single PC can run up to 10 workstations, which is both economical, and very environmentally friendly, with less power consumption and manufacturing waste than 10 individual PCs... Anyone who has ever tried to run a lab of Windows computers knows what a challenge it is. Keeping all the systems running is a never-ending chore... The software that runs the Discover Station is simple to manage and very elegant. ..."

Green Lodging News- Userful Corp. Introduces Energy-Saving EcoPod Internet Stations (08/29/07)
"More than 75 percent of travelers do not carry laptops, so in an age when Internet access in hotels is expected as much as towels and soap, hotels need to offer computer access to their guests. Userful Corp., a leader in public computing, has a solution for hotels wanting to offer public internet access ..."

Nvidia Success Stories - Delivering Low Cost Computing to South Africa (08/23/07)
"Providing computers and Internet access to South Africa's 28,000 schools and over 12 million students is a challenge. With hardware from NVIDIA® and Desktop Multiplier® software from Userful®, the government of South Africa has found a viable classroom computing solution. ..."

ComputerWorld - Helping customers go green (08/07/07)
"While most of the movement in green computing tends toward hardware that operates with greater energy efficiency or products whose manufacture takes less of a bite out of the environment, Userful's bailiwick is software. The company's DiscoverStation operating system software enables 10 employees to work from one PC. ..."

PC World - Firms Go Green Inside and Out (08/05/07)
"While most of the movement in green computing tends toward hardware that operates with greater energy efficiency or products whose manufacture takes less of a bite out of the environment, Userful's bailiwick is software. The company's DiscoverStation operating system software enables 10 employees to work from one PC, though the typical configuration used by customers is to have six workstations per computer. ..."

Online Recruitment - Userful makes green computing a reality (07/24/07)
"Userful Corporation, the worldwide leader in public computing, today announces that in the last year its software that allows up to ten people to work from one PC has saved over 13,250* tons of CO2 emissions, the equivalent of taking 2,300 cars off the road. ..."

Business Daily Africa - New software to cut costs of computers (07/24/07)
"A Canadian technology firm Userful has developed a new software that enables multiple use of single personal computers. The technology, which is targeted at schools, call centres and Internet cafe operators, enables several monitors to use one Central Processing Unit (CPU) concurrently enabling operators of businesses that need a large number of computer to cut costs. ..."

TMC Net (07/24/07)
"Userful, a green technology company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada recently made headlines (see Shared Computing For a Greener World) with the announcement that its DiscoverStation solution has prevented over 13,000 tons of CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere. I had a chance to ask Userful President Tim Griffin, several questions about Userful; who they are, where they're headed, and so on? The results appear below. ..."

Tectonic - Linux helps raise funds for a million soccer balls (06/25/07)
"Although Linux geeks are not often found on the sports field, this week Linux computers will help in a fund raiser to donate a million soccer balls to improve children's lives through sport. Canada-based Omni Technology Solutions, Novell South Africa, Userful, and Pinnacle Micro have teamed up to provide Linux desktop computers for the "Let's Play a Million" South African telethon on June 27. ..."

Novell Connection Magazine - Desktop Multiplier "Proof Point" at University of New Mexico (June 2007)
"Facing prohibitive costs to create new computer labs, the University of New Mexico adopted a Multiplied SUSE, Linux Enterprise Desktop strategy to increase its student computer access tenfold, while reducing the costs of setting up a classroom lab by more than 80 percent. ..."

Computer World Australia (02/12/07)
"Competitors typically charge thousands of dollars for the kind of sophisticated features offered by PreBook in a free, open source download ..."

Sys-Con India - Two Linux PCs Power 12-Station Internet Café(07/14/06)
"HP, Blueloop And Omni Demonstrate How Up to 10 Users Can Share A Single Linux Desktop Computer ..."

Linux PR -Userful Multiplies and Manages Touch Screens with Innovative 10 to 1 Linux Software (05/01/06)
"To date, many companies have shied away from self-service kiosks due to startup complexity and cost. By enabling kiosks to be deployed at a fraction of the cost of current single station solutions, Userful's multi-station software kiosk now become feasible in many areas where they were formerly out of reach," adds Griffin. "This price point will open up the world to touch screen applications. Userful's platform makes kiosks easy and affordable..."

LXer - Notes From the DLS (04/25/06)
"News from the Desktop Linux Summit in San Diego. ..."

LXer - Userful Inc, Linux Computers and Administration Company (03/27/06)
"Userful, the company, might be described by what some commentators describe as a despicable business model: hybrid. Partly Free - Linux, partly proprietary - their administration code. Nonetheless, Userful's Ben Li was refreshing open in his initial email pointing out they were only a partly "Open Source" company. Despite your reservations give our interviewee the benefit of the doubt and listen to his words. You may wish at the end that there more companies like his or hope they had even greater success. If not, rant afterwards." ..."

CIO - Help for Librarians (03/15/06)
"With children clonking on keyboards, patrons downloading viruses and kleptomaniacs swiping mice, library computers quickly end up in PC morgues. ... That was before Richmond implemented DiscoverStation, offered by Calgary, Canada-based Userful. DiscoverStation uses one Linux desktop to power up to 10 workstations, leaving only monitors, keyboards, floppy drives and mice subject to public torture ..."

Linux Librarian - Network Personalizer Product Review - 9/10 Stars (01/31/06)
"Network Personalizer-- it's the icing on the cake. It's no secret I love our DiscoverStations, and that the staff loves our DiscoverStations. I have shared everything about Userful's product with the staff... their support plan, their one-box features, even how to hook things up if necessary... But I haven't shared Network Personalizer. That baby is mine. Part of it is that too many cooks in the kitchen thing, and part of it is, it's so much fun, and makes me look really good. I don't share well. ..."

Globe and Mail - Userful Updates DiscoverStation (12/30/05)
"Calgary-based Userful Corp. has released DiscoverStation 4.0, its public computing system designed to reduce costs and improving services for institutions offering computer access to the public. ..."

SYS-CON Media - Userful's Multi-User Technology to Give Linux Users a Free Two-User Version of New Product (12/17/05)
"Calgary-based Userful Corporation announced that for a limited time it will be giving away two-user licenses for its Desktop Multiplier software. Desktop Multiplier enables a single computer running the Linux operating system to provide multiple independent workstations to multiple users at the same time, with each user workstation comprising a keyboard, monitor and mouse..."

LinuxPR - Innovative New Software Helps Linux Users Double Their Desktops (12/15/05)
"Userful, a multi-station computing company from Calgary, AB, Canada, has applied their multi-user technology to give Linux Users a free two user version of their exciting new product. ..."

News Forge - Innovative Software Doubles Desktop Usage (12/15/05)
"Many people already have two monitors connected to their computer. This software gives them the ability to share this computer. This is particularly helpful over the holiday season when friends and family are visiting from out of town. "It's like having a free computer for Christmas," says Griffin. ..."

Innovation Alberta - Interview with Neil Peters (11/08/05)
"Brief Interview with Neil Peters, VP Business Development. You can download the audio as a WMA file and a written transcript. The program will played on CKUA Radio (580 AM) on Innovation Alberta at 8 pm Tuesday November 8th. ..."

SYS-CON.TV - Tim Griffin of Userful (09/27/05)
Interview with Tim Griffin at LinuxWorld 2005.

DesktopLinux.com - Vendors team on Windows to Linux migration approach (08/08/05)
"Three desktop Linux companies are partnering to offer a hardware/software approach that aims to enable organizations large and small to cost-effectively leverage the Linux desktop. The marketing collaboration results in "a complete pathway to migrate enterprises to desktop Linux, a feat no single company has yet matched," the companies said in a joint statement. ..."

LXer Linux News -Trio of Linux companies make Linux desktop compelling (08/04/05)
"The three most common objections to moving to desktop Linux are: debatable TCO savings, a painful process to move data and settings, and the inability to run key Windows applications. A trio of desktop Linux companies have teamed up to provide a complete pathway to migrate enterprises to desktop Linux, a feat no single company has yet matched. These companies' solutions enable organizations large and small to cost-effectively leverage the Linux desktop and make it attractive and easy to move to the flexible and open desktop platform. Solutions from two of these companies are finalists in the LinuxWorld Product Excellence Awards. ..."

LinuxWorld Magazine - Interview with Userful CEO and Founder Tim Griffin - Userful is the inverse of VMWare (06/14/05)
"Userful of Calgary, Alberta, makes a resource-sharing system for Linux called 1-Box. 1-Box is a multi-user approach to Linux desktop computing that turns a single computer into a network of up to 10 workstations. Traditional networks require a server, networking equipment, and individual PCs for each user. 1-Box approach eliminates all this. Each station requires only a standard monitor, keyboard, and mouse, but operates like an independent PC. Each user can operate simultaneously and independently, running the same or different applications securely and privately. Monitors, keyboard, and mice are physically connected to the computer rather than use a thin client model where the display is sent back and forth over a network. This makes sense for computer labs and libraries or other situations where you need a kiosk type of computing. Besides extending the usefulness of desktop hardware, Userful provides a hardened desktop environment where user sessions are locked down to prevent malicious viruses or worms or even user-introduced problems. I had the opportunity to speak with Tim Griffin, Userful's CEO about the company and find out more about it. ..."

The Globe and Mail - Technology - Userful helps solve multiuser PC headaches (05/26/05)
"The simplest way to illustrate how Userful's Linux-based desktop multiplier software works, says Ted Griffin, is not to think about computers and networks. Picture your bathroom. ..."

Managing Information - Userful Receives Sirsi SIP2 Certification (05/18/05)
"The DiscoverStation software solution from Userful is now SIP2-certified for the Sirsi Unicorn Library Management System and the DRA Classic System. ..."

Business News Americas - Userful expects 4,000 license sales - Brazil (05/09/05)
"Canadian software developer Userful expects to sell more than 4,000 licenses in Brazil over the next 12 months, having signed local IT distributor ThinNetworks as its first Latin American reseller partner. Userful sees "staggering" potential in Latin America, given the official preference for open source software expressed by the governments of countries like Brazil, Venezuela and Argentina. ..."

Web Host Industry Review - Userful Introduces Desktop Multiplier (04/19/05)
"Software provider Userful announced the release of Desktop Multiplier, a program that can transform a standard PC into a network of up to ten workstations. With the installation of ordinary video cards into a computer box, the program enables up to ten users to work simultaneously from independent workstations. The company is now selling Desktop Multiplier, once a part of Userful's integrated software and hardware solution, on its own. The software installs easily on top of all major Linux distributions, and is now available for global distribution as a free trial download. ..."

The Age - Multiplication Tables (04/19/05)
"A 10-station Linux mini computer could be what is needed to make corporate computer-based training more affordable and increase e-learning access at cash-strapped schools. Canadian software maker Userful claims its Desktop Multiplier system also slashes maintenance costs and can make standard desktop machines work with two or three users simultaneously. ..."

ARNnet - Linux Vendor Seeks Australian Channel (04/12/05)
"US Linux developer, Userful, wants to develop a local channel for its range of desktop products. The move was prompted by potential Australian customers contacting the company directly, its president, Timothy Griffin, claimed. "There is a lot of activity around Linux and we see Australia as a key mover," he said. The company was already in conversation with several resellers and was looking for others, including a partner with national reach, Griffin said. Selection criteria varied according to which of the company's two products was being marketed. ..."

Linux World Magazine - What Does It Take to Move?: 'A better house at half the price' (04/06/05)
"Linux World opinion piece by Timothy Griffin President of Userful. "We're all familiar with the disruption and cost of moving. When I'm asked what it takes to motivate an organization to move to desktop Linux, my answer is simple, "Migrating desktops is like moving to a new house. What would it take to get you to move your house or office tomorrow?" Their response always starts with "It depends...". ..."

Linux Today - LinuxInsider: Userful Multiplies Linux Desktops (04/03/05)
"Userful's 1-Box Desktop Multiplier offers support for most Linux distributions, including Novell, Mandrake, Fedora Core and Red Hat ..."

Linux.com - Userful Multiplies Linux Desktops (04/01/05)
"Userful's 1-Box Desktop Multiplier software creates a 10-to-1 advantage over traditional desktop deployments by using extra video cards to quickly turn a single ordinary PC into a network of up to 10 workstations. ..."

OSDir.com - Userful Multiplies Linux Desktops: Linux (04/01/05)
"With 1-Box Desktop Multiplier software, up to 10 users can work off of a single computer box. Each user requires only a standard monitor, USB keyboard and mouse. Users can simultaneously browse the Internet, send e-mail and independently run any installed software, the vendor said. ..."

Environnement et Strategie - Un Ordinateur, Dix Utilisateurs (04/01/05)
"Grace au logiciel Desktop Multiplier de la compagnie canadienne Userful, il est possible de faire travailler dix personnes sur la meme unite centrale, moyennant cartes video, ecrans et claviers supplementaires (sans oublier les souris). ..."

ITtoolbox - Userful Multiplies Linux Desktops (03/31/05)
"Userful, a desktop Linux company, has introduced 1-Box Desktop Multiplier, a Linux-based software solution that turns one computer into ten. ..."

VoIP Blog - Tehrani.com - Not So Dumb Terminal (03/30/05)
"The value proposition is simple. You don't need blades, use this technology to save money and accomplish much of the same goals. Save money, desktop space, heat dissipation, electricity, etc. Users can run a mix of local and remote server based applications meaning you aren?t using dumb terminals at all. This ensures that contact centers get high performance when it is needed and centralized data security for those applications which require it. ..."

Computer America - On-Air Interview with Userful's President & CEO, Tim Griffin (03/14/05)
"Computer America is the longest-running nationally syndicated radio talk show on computers. Now in its fourteenth season, Computer America broadcasts over both the Business TalkRadio Network and the Lifestyle TalkRadio Network. The networks are both headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut. Hosted by seventeen-year Knight-Ridder newspapers computer columnist Craig Crossman, and co-hosted and produced by tech guru Mark Lautenschlager. ..."

ComputerWorld - Linux solution in library's good books (03/04/05)
"Windsor Public Library (WPL) has cut down on maintenance time and infrastructure costs by deploying a Linux-based solution that enables several workstations to operate simultaneously from a single shared computer box. ..."

CHQR AM770 Calgary News Sports Talk Radio -On-Air Interview with Userful's President & CEO, Tim Griffin (02/27/05)
Discussed Userful's Desktop Multiplier software.

Tech Worthy - One Box + Ten Users = Awesome (02/10/05)
"Userful, a desktop Linux company, has joined the ranks of our favorite helpful Canadian tech companies. Its 1-Box Desktop Multiplier takes your ordinary computer and makes it extraordinary, or at least overpopulated. ..."

Linux Librarian - Linux in the Library (01/06/05)
"I sure wish I had a DiscoverStation right about now... I am going to plug DiscoverStation a bit here for the Linux novice. They do maintenance... a significant amount of maintenance. Nice for someone who might be gung ho about the idea but hesistant about their ability to deploy it. ..."

Hardware Geeks - Revolutionary Software Uses Extra Video Cards to Turn One Computer into Ten (01/05/05)
"Userful, an innovative desktop Linux company, has released 1-Box software, which quickly turns a single ordinary PC into a network of up to ten workstations. Userful's 1-Box software creates a ten-to-one advantage over traditional desktop deployments. After three years of selling the 1-Box software as a turnkey solution, Userful is releasing 1-Box as a stand-alone product for global distribution, and is looking to expand their network of partners and resellers internationally. ..."