NASA’s Eyes Kiosk Setup Instructions...NASA’s Eyes Kiosk was designed for museums, science centers, libraries, and schools as a simplified version of the NASA’s Eyes (Eyes) computer

NASA’s Eyes Kiosk Setup

Instructions

Updated 10/25/2018

This product is based upon work supported by NASA under award numbers NNX16AC65A. Any opinions,

findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and

do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Setting up a NASA’s Eyes Kiosk

NASA’s Eyes Kiosk was designed for museums, science centers, libraries, and schools as a simplified

version of the NASA’s Eyes (Eyes) computer application. It offers the ability to set program

parameters, limit visitor time, automatically play a demo when no one is interacting, and locks the

display to full screen. These step-by-step instructions provide guidance for installing and

configuring Eyes and its server.

NASA’s Eyes contains three modules: Eyes on Earth, Eyes on the Solar System, and Eyes on

Exoplanets. Any of them can be offered exclusively or the Firefox browser can present an index to

launch any of the modules.

This guide has been tested on a limited number of systems and is current from the date on the

cover. Since computer hardware and software varies with each installation and updates are being

made constantly, some of these instructions may not work exactly as listed in all cases. This guide

will be updated when changes in operating systems or the Eyes program become known.

Hardware

These specifications are for a system that successfully and smoothly runs the program. Since a

kiosk for Eyes is not a widely-tested installation, they should not necessarily be considered

minimum system requirements. If running Eyes in the offline (or server) mode, the only absolute is

that the system should have at least 1 TB of free disk space for data in addition to the OS and any

installed programs. This additional space can be a second installed drive or one connected

externally. The faster the drive’s input/output, the better Eyes will perform, so a solid-state drive is

recommended. If Eyes will run from the internet, no more than a few GB of free space is needed,

but a fast internet connection is required.

CPU or NUC:

At least 1 TB of free disk space if running Eyes in Sever Mode

6th generation i7-6770HQ processor

Intel Iris Pro graphics

2 x DDR4 SO-DIMM sockets (32GB Max)

2 x M.2 slots with flexible support for a 42 or 80mm SATA or PCIe SSD

Dual Band wireless-AC 8260

USB 3.0 ports (including one charging port)

Gigabit LAN

Thunderbolt 3 port

2 x 8 GB Module - DDR4 2133MHz, Non-ECC, CL15, 2R, X8,

1.2V, Unbuffered, DIMM, 288-pin

SSD 540s Series, 1.0TB, M.2 80mm SATA 6Gb/s, 16nm, TLC,

560 MB/s / 480 MB/s (Seq. Read /

Microsoft Windows 10 Professional 64-bit (Windows 7 is not reliably compatible)

Latest version of Firefox browser

Ensure that A/V outputs match the inputs on your monitor:

Mini Display port v 1.2 (supports 7.1 Audio)

HDMI 2.0 port with 7.1 Audio

Touchscreen:

This model is built for commercial use. It includes a sturdy metal base which can be screwed into a

platform and then a plastic cover hides the attachment points. The wiring can be routed through

the bottom of the base rather than only out the back. However, a wide variety of alternatives can

be considered. A sturdy monitor with a mouse or trackball would also work.

ELO TouchPro™ PCAP: Projected Capacitive 22”/ model number E497002

10 touch is recommended for future versions of the software

22'' or larger diagonal active matrix TFT LCD (LED)

16:9 aspect ratio

1920 x 1080 @ 50, 60Hz resolution (the User Interface was designed only for 1920 x 1080

resolution)

USB 3.0 ports

Ensure that A/V inputs match the output on your CPU:

Input video format ports: Analog VGA; Digital DVI; HDMI 2.0

Input video frequency - Horizontal: 32 - 80 KHz Vertical: 50 - 75 Hz

System Configurations:

All the programming for Eyes should be in a regular (not administrative) account.

On-screen and Bluetooth keyboards and tablet mode (if offered) should all be disabled.

In the computer bios, consider setting a daily startup time if a shutdown is scheduled and configuring the computer to reboot after a power failure (unless on a battery backup).

The computer itself should be physically protected. Conceal or disconnect the keyboard after installation.

Use Alt+F4 to quit the program.

Using Eyes in the Offline/Server Mode:

Contact [email protected] to obtain a software key and a secret code. This is only required for

Server Mode and allows for the download of the approximately 500 GB of data from the Amazon

cloud (see step 6 to set up Eyes Server). This is not required for using Eyes online.

The initial download of Eyes Server consists of several hundred GB of data. This occurs on the first

running of NASA’s Eyes Server and a fast, hardwired connection is recommended. A reliable WiFi

connection may be used afterward since daily updates should only download several MB.

Initial Setup

All downloads must be installed into the same unprivileged (non-administrative) account.

1. Download and install NASA’s Eyes App:

eyes.nasa.gov

Click on “DOWNLOAD THE APP TO GET STARTED” button.

This is the full program and contains all three Eyes products.

Once downloaded, run the installer.

2. Download and install NASA’s Eyes Config:

eyes.nasa.gov/tools.html

It is the second option on the page. This is the required program to run the kiosks.

Running this program will setup the kiosk with curator-controlled settings (see step 5)


3. Download and install Firefox:

Firefox is only required if running the three-module version of the kiosk. If only one module

is offered, skip this step. The required full screen add-on will be installed later.

www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new


4. If using Eyes Server, decide where the data files should be stored:

When using a secondary disk drive (internal or external) for Eyes data stored locally, follow

these instructions and enter a path into the “Destination for Server files:” box in NASA’s Eyes

Config. If there is a TB of free space on the primary internal drive, a secondary drive is

unnecessary and this step can be skipped.

A. In Config step 5/A, B & C/6), click Browse and locate the secondary drive you wish to

use.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new

B. Make a new folder, or select the one you’ve previously made for storing the Eyes server

data, name it something simple like “Eyes Server Data.”

C. Click Next

Note: If only one of the Eyes modules is used, only data for that product needs to be

downloaded. For example: If only Eyes on the Earth is used, 2/3 of the disk space can be

spared. To do this, when you get to the “Destination for Server files:” page in Eyes Config,

check only the boxes for the modules you intend to use with the server version.

5. Run Eyes Config:

Important Notes: If all three Eyes modules will be offered on one computer, the Eyes Config

program will need to be run three times; once for each module. Each time a program

specific config file will be created.

If only one module will be available, run the config tool only for that module (e.g. if only

Eyes on Earth will be available, follow only the instructions in step A; only step B for Eyes on

the Solar System; etc.).

NASA’s Eyes Config can be run as often as needed to change preferences, but each time it’s

run for a module, all parameters are reset to the default settings unless explicitly re-

entered.

If Eyes Config is exited before clicking Configure at the end, no values will be written to the

configuration file.

Leave values as defaults if not listed here.

A. Generate Config file for Eyes on the Earth Kiosk

Go to Start → All Programs → NASA’s Eyes Config → Configure NASA’s Eyes

1) Choose Module: Earth Kiosk

Click Next

2) Use NASA's Eyes Server? Check if server will be or is installed.

Leave unchecked if running the online version and a fast connection is available.

3) Start fullscreen? Check

4) Auto-Restart Time? (e.g. 17:30) If used, restart Eyes daily, an hour after the server

update; see step 6.

5) What happens when there is an update? Always Update

Click Next

6) Destination for Server Files: Accept default unless using a secondary hard drive. If

configuring a three-button kiosk, make sure the location for the server files is

consistent for all three modules. See step 4 for more information.

7) Which module(s): Earth

Click Next

8) Limit session time? Yes - number of seconds (e.g. 600 = 10 minutes)

9) Do you want this to be displayed to the user? Yes

10) Force the user to restart when the timer is up? No to let user continue the

session

Click Next

11) Seconds Until Auto-Play Starts: (e.g. 60)

12) Click or Touch: Touch

Click Next

13) Choose the view mode: None

Click Next

14) Exit button action: Enter “exit” in the textbox; leave blank if limited to the Earth

module

Click Next

15) Any secure settings? Check all except “No Eyes Exit”; check all four if limited to the

Earth module

Click Next

16) Choose a settings.xml name: settings-eote-kiosk.xml; check settings .xml if limited

to the Earth module

Click Configure

B. Generate Config file for Eyes on the Solar System Kiosk


1) Chose a module: Solar System Kiosk

Click Next





update; see step 6.


Click Next




7) Which module(s): Solar System

Click Next




session


Click Next


13) What are your preferred units? Let User Decide

14) High Resolution: Check

Click Next


Click Next

17) Exit button action: Enter “exit” in the textbox; leave blank if limited to the Solar

System module

Click Next


Solar System module

Click Next

19) Choose a settings.xml name: settings-eotss-kiosk.xml ; check settings .xml if

limited to the Solar System module

Click Configure

C. Generate Config file for Eyes on Exoplanets Kiosk


1) Choose a module: Exoplanets Kiosk

Click Next





update; see step 6.


Click Next




7) Which module(s): Exoplanets

Click Next




session

Click Next


12) Default Location on Earth: <enter your local city and state>

13) Latitude: <enter your local Latitude>

14) Longitude: <enter your local longitude>


Click Next

16) Star brightness: 6

Click Next


Click Next

18) Enter “exit” in the textbox; leave blank if limited to the Exoplanets module

Click Next


Exoplanets module

Click Next

21) Choose a settings.xml name: settings-eox-kiosk.xml ; check settings .xml if limited

to the Exoplanets module

Click Configure

6. Eyes Server Setup:

Using Eyes Server allows the kiosk to get data from the local file system rather than

pulling it continuously from the Internet.

The key and passcode requested from [email protected] will be needed only once.

Skip this setup if running online with a very fast connection.

Do this after running one or more of the above configurations.

A. Download and Install NASA’s Eyes Server: eyes.nasa.gov/tools.html

This application reads the address for the data files established in step 10/A, B & C/2)

B. Go to Start → All Programs → NASA’s Eyes Server → NASA’s Eyes Server Updater

C. Let the program run; this will take several hours to complete the first time

D. If the last step fails to initiate and doesn’t start downloading hundreds of files, uninstall

and reinstall all the NASA’s Eyes Server program starting at step A

7. Browser Setup:

This step is not needed if running only one kiosk module at a time.

A. Set Firefox to startup on system reboot

1) Copy the Firefox shortcut

2) Press Windows Key + R

3) Enter shell:startup

4) Paste Firefox shortcut into the folder that appears

mailto:[email protected]

https://eyes.nasa.gov/tools.html

Windows 10 tutorial: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2944-add-delete-enable-

disable-startup-items-windows-10-a.html

B. Set kiosk mode as Firefox homepage so exhibit will start automatically. If using server

mode, be sure to change the ALL-CAPS portion of the first link in step 6 to the username

for your computer account.

1) Double-click on Firefox icon to start it

2) Click on menu in the upper right corner of Firefox window then choose Options

3) Click on Home on the left menu

4) Select Custom URLs from the Homepage and new windows dropdown menu

5) Enter the appropriate address into the textbox:

6) Offline (requires server to be installed):

file:///C://Users/YOUR-WINDOWS-USERNAME-HERE/AppData/Roaming/JPL-

NASA-Caltech/NASA's%20Eyes%20Server/server/webpages/kiosks.html

Change the ALL-CAPS portion to the Windows username of your machine

Online (if not using server):

https://eyes.nasa.gov/server/webpages/kiosks.html

C. Set Firefox into full screen mode. Full screen mode requires MPT Fullscreen for Firefox

add-on to be enabled. To install MPT Fullscreen for Firefox add-on

1) Go to: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/mpt-fullscreen

2) Click +Add to Firefox

3) Click Add and OK to confirm

4) Restart Firefox

5) After Firefox restarts

a) You should see a letter “M” in the upper right corner of Firefox window

b) Click on it and you should see red power button

c) Click on the button and it should turn green. It is a toggle: green - 'enabled' red -

'disabled'

6) Restart Firefox once again, it will be in full screen mode

a) To exit full screen mode, press Ctrl + Shift + A on keyboard

b) Find MPT Fullscreen Extension and click Disable

c) Restart Firefox

D. First-run initialize link defaults

1) Click on one of the buttons in the kiosk webpage

2) Click on Eyes Profile Handler button

3) Check Remember my choice

4) Click Open Link

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2944-add-delete-enable-disable-startup-items-windows-10-a.html

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2944-add-delete-enable-disable-startup-items-windows-10-a.html

https://eyes.nasa.gov/server/webpages/kiosks.html

8. Scheduling Daily Updates of Eyes Server:

Decide what time of the day to update NASA’s Eyes data files, considering that the kiosk may

react slowly during the download. JPL starts uploading new data to the Amazon cloud every

day at 6:15 a.m. pacific time. Starting Eyes Sever Update at 6:45 a.m. will load your

equipment with the latest data, but updating can also be done any time later in the day. The

process can take from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on your connection speed.

When the server update program activates, a log screen will appear, but it can be hidden by

touching or clicking on any other area of the Eyes screen. Avoid touching the log screen

because the download may stop. If that happens, just restart it manually. Eyes Server to stop

and restart multiple times, if desired; however, it starts from the beginning each time.

The Windows Task Scheduler can start the Server Update at your chosen time. Make sure

the Auto-Restart Time set in step 5/A, B & C/4) of Eyes Config is one hour after the update

time to allow the update to complete before the daily restart of the program.

A. Click on Start Menu at bottom left

B. Type “Task” in the search, then click on Task Scheduler

C. Select Create Basic Task… from the Actions area on the right

D. Enter a Name for your task, such as “Launch NASA's Eyes Server Update”

E. Click Next to proceed to Trigger, then select Daily

F. Click NEXT

G. Enter your chosen start time in the center field

H. Click Next to proceed to Action, then select Start A Program

I. In the Program/Script field, type: C:\Users\YOUR-WINDOWS-USERNAME-

HERE\AppData\Roaming\JPL-NASA-Caltech\NASA's Eyes Server\NASA's Eyes Server

Updater.exe

Change the ALL-CAPS portion to the Windows username of your machine

J. Click Next; if a window appears asking a question, click No

K. Click Finish

L. Test: Within Scheduler window, ctrl-click (or right click if it’s not disabled) the task you

just created and select Run.

Steps 9 – 13 are optional, but recommended to prevent the public from breaking out of the

program if it will operate unattended.

9. Hide the Windows Taskbar to prevent visitors from escaping while loading a module:

A. Right click an empty space in taskbar (where the start menu is)

B. Click Taskbar settings (and Options on Windows 7)

C. Check on Automatically hide taskbar in desktop mode

10. Disable Edge Swipe on touch screens to prevent users accessing Windows UI if tablet mode

has not been disabled:

A. Type these lines of code into Notepad (removing any spaces that might get copied)

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\EdgeUI]"AllowEdgeSwipe"=

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\EdgeUI]"AllowEdgeSwipe"=d

word:00000000

B. Save it as Disable_Screen_Edge_Swipe.reg

C. Double click/tap on the .reg file to merge it

D. When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge

E. Restart explorer, sign out, and sign in to Windows, or restart the computer to apply

F. If you like, delete the .reg file File created by Shawn Brink on April 26 2016

Tutorial: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/48507-enable-disable-edge-swipe-screen-

windows-10-a.html#option2

11. Disable Long Touch to prevent users from engaging search function if tablet mode has not been disabled: A. Open Control Panel (Start --> Windows System) B. Click Hardware and Sound C. Click Pen and Touch D. Double-Click Press and Hold E. Uncheck Enable press and hold for right-clicking F. Click OK G. Click Apply H. Click OK

12. Disable Taskbar Notifications to prevent users accessing the Windows taskbar:

A. Open Settings (Start --> Settings) B. Click System C. Click Notifications & Actions D. Set Appropriate Notifications to Off

13. Disable Right-Click to prevent users accessing context menus if the touchscreen permits that

gesture or a mouse is used; administrative access may be required: A. Open Run (Windows Key + R or Start --> Windows System)

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/48507-enable-disable-edge-swipe-screen-windows-10-a.html#option2

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/48507-enable-disable-edge-swipe-screen-windows-10-a.html#option2

B. Type “Regedit” C. Click Yes if asked to Allow App to Make Changes D. Navigate to

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

E. Double-Click NoViewContextMenu F. Set Value Data to 1 G. Click OK H. Reboot Computer

14. Turning Off System Daily:

Powering down daily may not be recommended for your hardware, but is possible for green

compliance and system reset. Remember to set the bios to power up the computer if this

function is used.

There are also options to put the system to sleep or hibernate, but it cannot be reactivated

with the bios power command. Some hardware may provide options to suspend the

monitor.

A. Click on Start Menu at bottom left

B. Type “Task” in the search, then click on Task Scheduler

C. Select Create Basic Task… from the Actions area on the right

D. Enter a Name for your task, such as “Shutdown at End of Day”

E. Click Next to proceed to Trigger, then select Daily

F. Click Next

G. Enter your chosen start time in the center field

H. Click Next to proceed to Action, then select Start A Program

I. In the Program/Script field, enter: c:\windows\system32\shutdown.exe

If choosing sleep/hibernate, enter: c:\windows\system32\rundll32.exe

J. In the Add Arguments field enter: –s

If choosing sleep/hibernate, enter: powrprof.dll SetSuspendState 0,1,0

After this procedure is finished, set the computer to either sleep or hibernate by entering

this command in either the Run or CMD window: Powercfg -H ON for hibernate Powercfg -

H OFF for sleep

K. Click Finish

L. Click Task Scheduler Library on the left side

M. Select your new task in the list in the center top area

N. Click Properties on the right side

O. Click the Conditions Tab

P. Check Start the task only if the computer is idle for:

Q. Click OK to finish

Documents

NASA’s Eyes Kiosk Setup Instructions...NASA’s Eyes Kiosk was designed for museums, science centers, libraries, and schools as a simplified version of the NASA’s Eyes (Eyes) computer