Pre-Book eliminates time consuming sign-up sheets and painful policing of computers by automating the booking of PCs and enforcing time-limits on these computers. Perfect for Libraries, Internet Cafes, Cybercafes, and Kiosks, Pre-book has three components: Windows Client (this project), Linux Server, and Linux Client (DiscoverStation).
The client logs out users out automatically once their time is up, and offers a count down clock showing the remaining time. Users can log-off either using the standard Windows log-off or use the log-off menu from the Pre-Book system tray icon.
Clients communicate with the server via XML-RPC. The Linux-based Pre-book Server tracks usage for clients across multiple locations and lets users reserve PCs in advance from a web page. The server also enforces the usage policies set by the administrator such as maximum usage per day and many other settings.