So my uncle is starting an internet cafe...

[Mason Whitaker]

So my uncle is starting an internet cafe, and he wants me to help get it started and work there when completed. We've already decided to use computers running Linux, with the option for users to use Windows XP under a Virtualbox. My uncle has had experience in setting up Linux servers in the past, and at the moment works for a company called Hobsons directing their Oracle Servers.

Anywho, my question to the community is, what would be the ideal Linux to run under these circumstances?

[MaxIBoy]

For a netcafe, I'd suggest either Fedora or Debian with tasteful Compiz effects (but don't go over the top with them.)

[Mason Whitaker]

For a netcafe, I'd suggest either Fedora or Debian with tasteful Compiz effects (but don't go over the top with them.)

Yeah, I was planning on going as far as Wobbly Windows...I don't want to confuse the crap out of people

[Giant Speck]

Yeah, I was planning on going as far as Wobbly Windows...I don't want to confuse the crap out of people

What the hell was in that coffee?

There was a cube, man.... A CUBE.

[perce]

Yeah, I was planning on going as far as Wobbly Windows...I don't want to confuse the crap out of people

Please, no wobbly windows! They are fun to play with, but I find extremely annoying and confusing when I'm working.

[MaxIBoy]

What the hell was in that coffee?

There was a cube, man.... A CUBE.

*Cough* hee, hee, hee...


I think that wobbly windows help me out a little (if they're not TOO wobbly.) If they actually have some weight and physics to them, my brain can see them as physical objects. It actually helps my productivity.

[earthpigg]

Anywho, my question to the community is, what would be the ideal Linux to run under these circumstances?

8.04 LTS, with giant icons for everything on the desktop?

[albinootje]

So my uncle is starting an internet cafe, and he wants me to help get it started and work there when completed. We've already decided to use computers running Linux, with the option for users to use Windows XP under a Virtualbox. My uncle has had experience in setting up Linux servers in the past, and at the moment works for a company called Hobsons directing their Oracle Servers.

Great!

Anywho, my question to the community is, what would be the ideal Linux to run under these circumstances?

You can search for "kiosk linux" to find options to create a restricted environment.

http://www.dnalounge.com/backstage/src/kiosk/
http://kiosk.mozdev.org/kiosk-links.html

I remember from many years ago hearing from someone that one big Internet Cafe was using VMware for their clients.
After a user would log out, then the machine would reboot, and a fresh image would be written to the disk.
You could employ something like that.
(I don't like VMware myself, but this was just an example).

[HermanAB]

Something like this?
http://cyborg.sourceforge.net/index.html.en
http://zeiberbude.sourceforge.net/

[Mason Whitaker]

Thanks for the references guys, I'll look into them right now.

As for you Giant Speck, you made me lol hard