[SOLVED] Best way to run a presentation in reception?

[BadBoy House]

Currently we've got a PowerPoint presentation running on an XP box in our reception area. This is connected to a wide screen tv and loops all day for clients sitting in the reception area.

With support for XP ending next April we're looking at the options.

The workstation is a P4 with 512MB RAM. It runs only the PowerPoint presentation and our AV software.

Ideally we still want the workstation on the network after next April as this makes for easier remote updating of the presentation. Plus we can install updates etc.

Other than keeping this box but running it off network, has anyone else come across different methods for running a presentation without XP?

We don't want to replace this unit with a Windows 7 box from a cost point of view - it wouldn't be worth it.

 

[SAG]

Why not just leave it alone?
Just because Microsoft isn't releasing any more updates for XP doesn't mean it's going to impregnate your sister and raze your house.
Most of the security updates that I have paid attention to for XP as of late are protection against issues caused locally, not remotely. Since this is a headless machine, just let it go - it should be safe.

But, to answer your actual question. The reception computer can be set to dual head with an HDMI cable running to the TV, then run the PPtP on that computer. That'd work, but leaves alot of room for error.
Or......
Run Linux, with Open Office Impress or PPtV in Wine.

 

[AlphaCS]

take a look at mediasignage and their cloud based media severs. Ive used both of their mediadriods and they work decent enough for most needs.

 

[brandonkick]

If your that worried about it, I'd install linux on the machine and use LibreOffice.

I wouldn't worry personally, just keep your antivirus/antimalware apps updated on the machine. If ALL it's used for is a looping power point presentation then you shouldn't have much of an issue with security.

 

[PCSupportGlasgow]

personally it sounds like a drain on electricity (as IT repair companies our bills are high enough).

i would convert the presentation to video then get something nice and low powered eg raspberry pi and have video loop all day. save yourself some bucks and have clients talk about how tiny that little computer is.

 

[codegreen]

If you want to keep that system, Linux. You'll have to fiddle with your presentation once you import it into LibreOffice Impress, though.

But, if you're doing that, why not retire the thing and replace it with a Raspberry Pi? Those old Pentium 4s don't exactly sip power from the outlet.

 

[SAG]

personally it sounds like a drain on electricity (as IT repair companies our bills are high enough).

i would convert the presentation to video then get something nice and low powered eg raspberry pi and have video loop all day. save yourself some bucks and have clients talk about how tiny that little computer is.

If only there was a button I could hit that would delete all other posts except this one, and then lock the thread as SOLVED, I'd do it.

 

[angry_geek]

personally it sounds like a drain on electricity (as IT repair companies our bills are high enough).

i would convert the presentation to video then get something nice and low powered eg raspberry pi and have video loop all day. save yourself some bucks and have clients talk about how tiny that little computer is.

You could go one step further. Most TVs these days can run video and pictures from a flash drive.