ubuntu in cyber cafe

[pompeyjohn]

I am thinking of setting up a cyber cafe, and I am keen to do it using Ubuntu. I have found one link on this subject here:

http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=67050&highlight=cyber+cafe+ubuntu

I am keen to hear about any experiences of using Ubuntu in cyber cafes. Or advice and suggestions about how it could/should be done. Particularly with regard to client log in/out and billing. Hardware wise, the budget although not unlimited is sizeable, and I am thinking of around three servers backing up twenty to thirty clients.

all comments welcome and appreciated :)

[rickyjones]

Are you serious about a cyber cafe? If so, I congratulate you! Trust me, after all the hardwork, long days (and nights), and insane customers, there is a good feeling after everything.

Right now we run a Windows shop since we are more a gaming center than a cyber cafe, so I have no idea on what you'll be able to do for Linux. Just make sure you have some top-notch security and that you research your market really well. If you want teens, then you'll need major game support. If you want business people, then you'll need high speed internet and the website have to work correctly. Etc...

Good luck!

-Richard

[pompeyjohn]

yeah am serious... doing the math ad research at the moment. Thanks for the comments - lots of things to think about :)

[kenweill]

Cybercafe?

Ours are named, "Community eCenter".

Using Ubuntu 5.10 in the server, with VMware Player installed. Windows XP running through VMware Player. Its the only way to connect to the internet. Using Gilat Satellite Modem 360. With 2 Virtual Ethernet Adapter. One for the DHCP and one for the LAN. Using just 1 NIC. Complicated.

Using Ubuntu 5.10 in the workstations.

Most of our users just surf the web, check emails, read news, chat (X Chat which is the same with mIRC in Windows).

The only problem we had are customers that want Yahoo Chat. Yahoo Messenger.
They want to chat, they want to use the webcam, phone, and headset.

I don't know how to setup one.

With regards to games, kids want online games. Don't have one, for Linux. Only for Windows.

Thats our experience in here.

[osioke]

I am thinking of setting up a cyber cafe, and I am keen to do it using Ubuntu. I have found one link on this subject here:

http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=67050&highlight=cyber+cafe+ubuntu

I am keen to hear about any experiences of using Ubuntu in cyber cafes. Or advice and suggestions about how it could/should be done. Particularly with regard to client log in/out and billing. Hardware wise, the budget although not unlimited is sizeable, and I am thinking of around three servers backing up twenty to thirty clients.

all comments welcome and appreciated :)

Hello pompey,

How has your Internet Cafe been running with Ubuntu so far? I would like feedback from you as I am about to do the same with xubuntu. I am also interested in how you are accomplishing the following:

1. Keeping time

2. Instant messaging; basically managing user expectation when they want to do voice and video/webcam on yahoo or msn but gaim doesn't support this yet.

3. Locking the system; i.e. running in kiosk mode so that users don't change system settings yet allowing the user to run any program he or she needs to.

4. Anything else you have learned from you experience so far, including if you would switch to xubuntu (as it is more efficient for system resources [so I read]) or remain with ubuntu.

You may reply here or send me email: osioke@gmail.com

Cheers!
-Osioke

[osioke]

I am thinking of setting up a cyber cafe, and I am keen to do it using Ubuntu. I have found one link on this subject here:

http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=67050&highlight=cyber+cafe+ubuntu

I am keen to hear about any experiences of using Ubuntu in cyber cafes. Or advice and suggestions about how it could/should be done. Particularly with regard to client log in/out and billing. Hardware wise, the budget although not unlimited is sizeable, and I am thinking of around three servers backing up twenty to thirty clients.

all comments welcome and appreciated :)

Hello pompey,

How has your Internet Cafe been running with Ubuntu so far? I would like feedback from you as I am about to do the same with xubuntu. I am also interested in how you are accomplishing the following:

1. Keeping time

2. Instant messaging; basically managing user expectation when they want to do voice and video/webcam on yahoo or msn but gaim doesn't support this yet.

3. Locking the system; i.e. running in kiosk mode so that users don't change system settings yet allowing the user to run any program he or she needs to.

4. Anything else you have learned from you experience so far, including if you would switch to xubuntu (as it is more efficient for system resources [so I read]) or remain with ubuntu.

You may reply here or send me email: osioke@gmail.com

Cheers!
-Osioke

[booleanB]

I just started experimenting with ubuntu in my cafe,

its justa small one with 5 mashines

so i installed 1 machin with ubuntu 'hardy heron' 5 days ago

and continuing,.,.,.,.,


now i'm billing them with CCP serves manual timer
and looking for a time management software...

[ebug]

Found this.
http://ubuntu.icafebusiness.com/

and this,
http://linuxcaffe.ca/node/23981

How about this,
https://blueprints.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+spec/cafebuntu