Save money and save the environment with multi-user computers

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Userful Desktop™ (formerly DiscoverStation)'s ability to have two, four, six, eight or even ten people working from one high-powered PC has been revolutionizing desktop computing since 2002. Each station consists of a monitor, keyboard, and mouse with optional USB powered hub, floppy drive and sound.

Personal computers sit idle while we read or type. Userful leverages this unused computing power to create an environmentally efficient alternative to traditional desktop computing.

The stations all share resources on the fly. Due to the nature of computer usage (with short bursts of CPU activity) this means most of the time each user will have access to the full power of the multi-core processor. When more than one user is using the processor at exactly the same time, the computer splits its resources to perform both tasks equally quickly. Wonder how it works? Learn how to turn 1 computer into 10.

ImageUserful software is in use on over 20,000 multi-user stations worldwide. We’ve saved our customers millions of dollars on hardware costs, millions of hours in installation and maintenance, and tens of thousands of tonnes of CO2.

Userful's multi-user option saves money, reduces administration burden and helps the environment.

 

Save your library money

ImageWhile computer access is a good investment, computer hardware is not. It devalues quickly and will soon need to be replaced. If you’re tired of pouring money into hardware every three years, or looking to reduce the cost of your hardware purchases, our multi-user option is ideal.

If your library currently deploys 100 public computers, consider the money saved by purchasing only 10. The savings can then be reinvested into better software and support. You’ll save your staff time and improve your patrons' experience, all from your existing hardware budget.

The ultimate green PC

  • Reduce CO2 emissions by up to 15 tons per year per system*
  • Reduce electronic waste by up to 80%

    • Reducing the number of computers in use has additional earth friendly benefits. Electronic waste is an increasing problem globally due to the quick obsolescence of electronics. This is compounded by the fact that computer waste is high in many toxic materials such as heavy metals and flame-retardant plastics, which easily leach into ground water and bio-accumulate.

  • Reduce your electricity bill, hardware and support costs

    • Going green will significantly reduce your electricity bill, and in an air-conditioned building the savings will be even higher. Userful Desktop's ability to turn 1 computer into 10 also saves you money by greatly reducing hardware and support costs.

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    *(Based on 526kWh/PC/year for operation; 1818 kWh/PC for production; electricity generated @1.55 lbs of CO2/kWh)
    **(Based on 11,560 lbs of CO2 per car per year; one billion PC's worldwide)