Billboard Screen Saver Setup

Beginning in 2020, we started an effort to improve the management of the client computers. This is based on PowerShell scripts which will automatically restart Chrome when needed, check for network connectivity and fix itself, reboot the client when needed, take screenshots when Billboard is interrupted by an error, and will allow us to finally eliminate the need for static IP addresses. For this reason, we now recommend that all Billboard clients now run Windows 10 in preparation of its rollout. While not required, we suggest the usage of Intel Compute Sticks (or their equivalents) to simplify the hardware requirements of the client.

*Note: Anyone replacing/upgrading a MacOS computer should switch to a Windows 10 computer. We will not prevent existing MacOS computers from running, but we will stop assisting with their troubleshooting.

The new installation scripts are being tested before their public deployment, but in the meantime we recommend that local IT staff follow the following steps when setting up a computer to use Billboard. Please note that while these steps are not particularly difficult, it does require a campus IT professional to complete.

  1. Windows
    Get the computer installed with Windows 10 and domained.
  2. Auto-login
    You will need to create a generic domain account that will only be used for your billboards. Then create a Group Policy that tells the computer to autologin using it. You can look at the group policy "ECE-Billboard Autologin" and base it on that. Please note that you'll need to submit a security exception as you'll be violating the campus Endpoint Protection standard by autologging in.
  3. Additional Management
    Your local IT should already be controlling the settings on your Win10 computers. You might need to adjust the power policies since you won't want this going to sleep. See "ECE-Billboard Win10 Policy" for examples.
  4. Setup
    When the computer starts up and then auto-logins in, you need to have it launch a browser in kiosk mode and point it at https://billboard.ncsu.edu. We generally suggest Chrome be used. See "ECE-Billboard-Chrome Kiosk" for examples.
  5. IP Address
    Provide the Billboard user with the IP address of the computer. They will need to register it in the web application before slides will start appearing. Please note that the computer MUST be either using a wired connection, or if wireless, you must have ComTech set it for a static IP address on the NCSU SSID. EDUROAM is not supported by Billboard as we've never gotten static IPs to function correctly on it.

When we're ready to release the new scripts, we hope to simplfy this process a bit.


Non-Supported Billboard Screen Saver Setup

These instructions are provided only for legacy reasons. No new installations should use them.


Billboard can be run on both Windows and Apple platforms. Below are instructions on how to get the screen saver running properly.

Microsoft Windows - WolfTech Billboard Screensaver (WBS)

The WolfTech Billboard Screensaver (WBS) can be downloaded from https://billboard.ncsu.edu/screensaver/WolfTechBillboard.zip

First, extract the archive and copy "WolfTech Billboard.scr" to C:\Program Files\WolfTech Billboard (you will need to create this directory if this is your first installation)

Once you have copied the file into the proper folder, right click on the screensaver icon and hit "Install". This will take you to your "Screen Saver Settings" page. The WolfTech Billboard Screen Saver has now been installed. You can further edit your settings by clicking the "Settings" tab, if necessary. WBS options are explained in full in the WolfTech Wiki: http://www.wolftech.ncsu.edu/support/support/WolfTech_Billboard_Screensaver

Macintosh OSX 10.6+ - webXsaver Installation and Basic Setup (screensaver method)

First, download the current version of webXsaver binary and install it onto the Mac. Once you have installed the screen saver, set it as the active screensaver (System Preferences > Desktop and Screen Saver > Screen Saver tab -- and then select webXsaver on the list on the left).

While webXsaver is selected, click the options button underneath the screen saver preview. A text box will pop up asking for the URL webXsaver should access. In this box, please enter: https://billboard.ncsu.edu

NOTE: Usng webXpreloginagent to run over the login window in Apple has been sandboxed and restricted in 10.7. As such, webXpreloginagent is not compatible with 10.7.

Macintosh OSX 10.6+ - webXkiosk Installation and Basic Setup (app method)

First, download the current version of webXkiosk and install it onto the Mac. Create a user that automatically logs in, then put webXkioskII.app in the startup items. There is a preference in webXkioskII that enables Sign Mode - cmd+k to get prefs, default password is to leave the password field blank.

In order to be robust to power failures, a LaunchDaemon is used to start and keep the app running. The LaunchDaemon can be found at http://www.ncsu.edu/mac/downloads/webXkiosk.keepalive.zip.

More information can be found at http://www.ncsu.edu/mac/software/webXkiosk.html.

Raspberry Pi

Although not officially supported here is some information on the installation and Basic Setup for a Raspberry Pi [updated 7/14/16].