AnywhereTS
AnywhereTS is a software thin client solution for Microsoft Windows.
AnywhereTS 3.0 on Windows Vista | |
Developer(s) | Qzone |
---|---|
Initial release | 2005 |
Final release | 3.4.0
/ 2009[1] |
Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
Available in | English |
Type | Remote desktop software |
License | Freemium |
Website | anywherets |
AnywhereTS was created in 2005 as a Thinstation configuration tool,[2] and has since grown to become one of the most common ways of creating software thin clients. AnywhereTS is utilizing several 3rd party software under the hood, with Thinstation as the base for the client OS. However, there are not many references to Thinstation as this is a Windows software with user interface for Windows only.
One common use of AnywhereTS is recycling old computers into thin clients.[3][4] The modest hardware requirements (Pentium II with 32 MB RAM)[5] have made it possible even for many organizations in developing countries to convert PCs to thin clients.
AnywhereTS is most frequently used in mid-sized installations with 30-150 computers,[6] but installations with more than a thousand computers have also been reported.[7]
The program is freeware, but in 2007 a commercial Pro version was also released.
Features
- Converts office PCs to thin clients
- Boot via network, using PXE
- Boot client from hard disk, CD or USB flash drive
- Built-in TFTP and DHCP server
- Support for Microsoft DHCP server
- Support of Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and Citrix (ICA)
- Redirection of sound and serial ports
- Redirection of USB flash drives
- Customizable client OS
- Customizable boot pictures
- International keyboard layouts
History
The first version was released 2005 and was quickly adopted by many users in order to make software thin clients and configure Thinstation, as this could now be done without the need for a Linux installation.
During 2005 and 2006 several versions were released, adding various functionality.
In August 2007, Version 2.0 was released, featuring a new user interface and more supported hardware.
In November 2007, a commercial version called AnywhereTS Pro was released. The main differences from the free version being runtime configuration and support. Also a Windows-based control panel, where users could change their settings, was included.
In June 2008 a 3.0 version was released, among other things adding a new user interface, integrated help system and more configuration options. With this version the software also started using Windows installer.
AnywhereTS went out of business on September 1, 2009. The final release version was 3.4. After some delay, on May 31, 2010, the developers made AnywhereTS available through open source on AnywhereTS on SourceForge.[9]
References
- http://anywherets.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=580%5B%5D
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-03-11. Retrieved 2008-05-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Thinstation News Archive
- "Daily Cup of Tech". 2007. Archived from the original on 16 June 2008. Retrieved 4 June 2008.
- "Ground Report India". 2007. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
- "Thinstation Wiki". 2006. Archived from the original on 2008-03-05. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
- "Techworld". 2008-06-10. Archived from the original on 12 June 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
- "Qzone". 2008-06-03. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
- http://www.anywherets.com/ Archived 2008-05-14 at the Wayback Machine AnywhereTS Product Page