Method and apparatus for public computing

1. A method of configuring a portable computer for transient use by a plurality of guests at a selected location, the method comprising:

initiating a generic first session responsive to a first guest of the plurality of guests accessing the portable computer via a user interface of the portable computer;

creating a first guest profile and displaying a first selection of content in a default view arrangement on a display screen of the portable computer during the generic first session responsive to the generic first session being initiated;

responsive to the first guest electing a personalized home view arrangement during the generic first session, displaying a second selection of content on the display screen, the second selection of content comprising more available content than the first selection of content, wherein the second selection of content is composed of and arranged according to the personalized home view arrangement;

terminating the generic first session responsive to a termination action taken by the first guest or expiration of a time-out period;

erasing history of the generic first session on the portable computer responsive to termination of the generic first session; and

redisplaying the first selection of content in the default view arrangement.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein displaying the first selection of content includes displaying a plurality of photographs associated with the selected location.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein displaying the first selection of content includes displaying information associated with the selected location.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein displaying the information includes displaying at least one of services available at the selected location, weather information associated with the selected location, and current events associated with the selected location.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein initiating the generic first session includes displaying a welcome screen containing information about the user interface of the portable computer.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein creating the first guest profile includes:

accessing remote computer storage coupled to the portable computer via a network connection; and

storing the guest profile on the remote computer storage.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising erasing the first guest profile responsive to termination of the generic first session.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7 , wherein erasing history of the generic first session further includes:

clearing cookies and web history created during the generic first session; and

resetting device configurations of the portable computer, including at least one of volume and screen brightness, to default settings.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second selection of content comprises a plurality of cards, each card configured to provide access to associated content.

10. A portable computer system configured for transient use by a plurality of guests, the portable computer system comprising:

a portable computer having a display screen, a display manager, and user interface configured to accept inputs from the plurality of guests and to display content on the display screen; and

remote computer storage coupled to the portable computer via a network connection;

wherein the portable computer is configured to initiate a generic first session responsive to an input received from a first guest of the plurality of guests via the user interface and to store a first guest profile, wherein the first guest elects a personalized home view arrangement, on the remote computer storage, and to terminate the generic first session responsive to one of a termination action taken by the first guest and expiration of a time-out period, wherein terminating the generic first session includes erasing history of the generic first session on the portable computer; and

wherein the display manager is configured to manage a plurality of views of computer content in the user interface, and to control the user interface to display a first selection of content in a default view arrangement on the display screen responsive to initiation of the generic first session and after termination of the generic first session, and to display a second selection of content on the display screen during the generic first session responsive to the first guest electing the personalized home view arrangement, the second selection of content comprising more available content than the first selection of content, wherein the second selection of content is composed of and arranged according to the personalized home view arrangement.

11. The portable computer system as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the second selection of content comprises a plurality of cards, each card configured to provide access to associated content.

12. The portable computer system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the plurality of cards includes at least one web card that maps to a web page, and at least one channel card.

13. The portable computer system as claimed in claim 12 , further comprising a communication component configured to access a web-based content; and

wherein the display manager is configured to display the web-based content on the display screen responsive to guest selection of the at least one web card.

14. The portable computer system as claimed in claim 11 , further comprising:

an execution component configured to execute a first transformation from an unfocused view of a first card of the plurality of cards into a focused view of the first card responsive to computer focus on the first card; and

wherein the execution component is further configured to execute a second transformation from the focused view of the first card into the unfocused view of the first card upon loss of computer focus on the first card.

15. The portable computer system as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the focused view of the first card includes a header display and a body display, wherein the header display comprises at least one control displayed in the header display, and wherein the control is configured to execute computer-based functionality in response to execution by the first guest.

16. The portable computer system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the portable computer is located in a first location at a partner facility, and further comprising:

at least one additional portable computer located in a second location at the partner facility; and

a partner profile stored on the remote computer storage, the partner profile specifying a first configuration of the portable computer and a second configuration of the at least one additional portable computer.

17. The portable computer system as claimed in claim 16 , wherein a first card of the plurality of cards is a branded card having a visual appearance corresponding to a brand of the partner facility.

18. The portable computer system as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the branded card is configured such that it cannot be deleted by any guest of the plurality of guests.

19. The portable computer system as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the visual appearance includes at least one of a color scheme and a logo.

20. A computer system configured for transient use by a plurality of guests at a selected facility, the computer system comprising:

a plurality of portable computers including a first portable computer and a second portable computer, the first and second portable computers being located at different locations at the selected facility, and each portable computer including a network connection, a display screen, a display manager, and a user interface configured to receive inputs from the plurality of guests and to display digital content on the display screen; and

computer storage separate from the plurality of portable computers and coupled to each of the plurality of portable computers via the respective network connection, the computer storage including a facility profile specifying a first content configuration for the first portable computer and a second content configuration for the second portable computer, the first and second content configurations being different;

wherein each portable computer is configured to initiate a generic first session responsive to an input received from a first guest of the plurality of guests via the user interface, wherein the first guest elects a personalized home view arrangement, and to terminate the generic first session responsive to one of a termination action taken by the first guest and expiration of a time-out period;

wherein the display manager is configured to manage a plurality of views of computer content in the user interface, and to control the user interface to display a first selection of content in a default view arrangement on the display screen responsive to initiation of the generic first session and after termination of the generic first session, and to display a second selection of content on the display screen during the generic first session responsive to the first guest electing the personalized home view arrangement, the second selection of content comprising more available content than the first selection of content; and

wherein the second selection of content is composed of and arranged according to the personalized home view arrangement.