Requirements
How do automatic updates work?
Please check out following video presenting how Porteus Kiosk performs an update: link
Porteus Kiosk is very well secured but it does not have an 'automatic updates' service enabled by default. This is an important feature which provides security patches, updated software components (kernel, browser, libraries/utilities) and brand new system features. Public ISOs are released irregularly, it could be a problem for companies/institutions or even a single users to whom the security and 'up to date' software are critical from a private or business point of view.
Taking this into mind, we have introduced a paid subscription for those who want to keep their systems updated and secured 365 days a year. We are targeting the 'setup and forget' approach which means that you need to setup your kiosk only once through our Kiosk Wizard, and then it updates automatically without any user intervention. Only a system reboot is required so updated components such as kernel or browser can be loaded into PC memory.
Automatic updates allows software freezes and downgrades. It is possible to freeze the linux kernel at specific version and upgrade it when certain bugs are resolved upstream. It is also possible to freeze, for example, Firefox but keep upgrading other system components. The automatic updates service is very flexible - when in doubt please query info@porteus-kiosk.org for additional information.
You have an opportunity to sign up for a 1 month free trial before buying the subscription.
When activating 'automatic updates' you are automatically signed to our paid support service which means that you are eligible to receive a software/hardware related help during the subscription period without an additional charge.
Real time changelog for security fixes, software upgrades and new features implemented in the system are presented at this address: automatic updates changelog.
NOTE: invoices in the USD currency are available on a request.
NOTE: if you are a public or educational institution, foundation or non profit organization then the prices could be lowered to a level which is affordable for you. Please query sales@porteus-kiosk.org for a quote and request an additional discount!
Prices are as follows (excl. VAT):
Number of PCs | PC per year | Discount |
---|---|---|
1-10 | €40 EUR | - |
11-25 | €36 EUR | 10% |
26-50 | €33 EUR | 17.5% |
51-100 | €30 EUR | 25% |
Above 100 | Negotiable |
Examples:
If your company wants to sign 3 PCs to the 'automatic updates and support' service for a period of a year then total cost will be: 3 x €40 = €120 EUR (excl. VAT) for this subscription.
If your company wants to sign 15 PCs to the 'automatic updates and support' service for a period of a year then total cost will be: 15 x €36 = €540 EUR (excl. VAT) for this subscription.
Please check out following video presenting how Porteus Kiosk performs an update: link
1) Before you buy the subscription you are obliged to try Porteus Kiosk (you can download it for free and use for as long as you want) to make sure that your hardware is fully compatible with it and you are fully satisfied with every aspect of our operating system. You may also use the free trial before buying the service to make sure it works properly in your network environment.
2) To enable 'automatic updates' service you have to activate relevant option in the Kiosk Wizard utility during the kiosk installation.
You can pay for the service by contacting our sales department. Please collect PC IDs (follow FAQ when in trouble) for the kiosks you want to subscribe and send them to sales@porteus-kiosk.org. When an agreement is reached - about the number of kiosks which will be activated, subscription period and the price - an invoice is sent to your email address.
We accept online payments only: bank transfer (preferred), PayPal or credit card payment. Please do not send us bank checks as our bank: ING Bank Slaski does not accept them. Payment details are included in the invoice which we send to you.
3) After receiving the money the service gets activated within 24 hours. A confirmation email is sent to you asking you to reboot the kiosks to let them upgrade to latest available version.
4) Minimum signing period is 6 months so if you buy subscription for one PC and unsubscribe after a month or two - you still will be charged €20 EUR (excl. VAT) for the service.
5) If you want to unsubscribe early from the service then please query sales@porteus-kiosk.org and the remaining part of the money will be returned to your account.
6) You will be reminded about the possibility of extending the subscription for another period 30 days before the subscription ceases.
7) You can reconfigure your kiosks at any time but it's your responsibility to keep 'automatic updates' option enabled in the wizard as we have no control over your kiosk configuration.
8) Software and hardware related help will be provided without additional charge during the whole subscription period. Standard support queries will be answered within 24 hours over an email. Urgent/critical issues affecting the kiosks may be resolved through remote assistance within the same time frame. We will query you for the connection details like kiosk IP, SSH/VNC password, port if needed.
9) You have the possibility of moving the subscription from one kiosk to another in case of e.g. hardware failure. When moving the subscription you need to send us the PC ID which should be deactivated and the new one which should be activated in our database.