Installation
This section guides whoever installs BiblioViva in the school library. Every path is a sequence of numbered steps; every step ends with a check to make before going on.
BiblioViva runs on a dedicated computer that stays on during the library's opening hours, and it is reached from the browser of any computer, tablet or phone of the school. A computer switched off at night is not a problem: the backup that was due is made the next time it is switched on.
Two choices to make
The installation depends on two choices, independent of each other.
- The computer BiblioViva runs on: an old PC with Linux (usually already available at the school) or a Raspberry Pi (a small computer to buy). See Choose the computer.
- The network through which BiblioViva is reached: Tailscale (the full way, with a free account) or the school's local network (the basic way, no account). See Choose the network.
The choice of network can be changed later, keeping all the data: see Switch from the local network to Tailscale, a page that also describes the reverse way.
Paths
The two choices give four paths. Each carries out the same eight steps, in the same order; only the details of some steps change.
| Computer | Network | Path | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC with Linux | Tailscale | PC with Linux and Tailscale | about 2 hours |
| PC with Linux | Local network | PC with Linux and the local network | about 1 hour and a half |
| Raspberry Pi | Tailscale | Raspberry Pi with Tailscale | about 2 hours |
| Raspberry Pi | Local network | Raspberry Pi with the local network | about 1 hour and a half |
The time includes the installer's work and the waiting (writing the microSD card, downloading BiblioViva); it does not include buying the equipment. [VERIFY: the times are estimates; try one path with a person who has never installed BiblioViva and note the times]
Requirements in brief
A computer, a USB barcode scanner, a printer and paper for the labels and the cards are needed; a phone is optional. The complete list, with links to buy or download, is in Requirements.
After the installation
These pages deal with BiblioViva's life once the installation is done.
- Update BiblioViva
- Move BiblioViva to another computer
- Restart from a backup
- Switch from the local network to Tailscale, and the other way round
- Uninstall BiblioViva
Possible problems
The most common problems (the address does not open, the camera does not start, the scanner types strange characters, the print is too small) are described in Common problems. The technical terms are explained in the Glossary.