Internet Cafe Business Guide

And now for what software or programs to run, let’s start off first with Operating Systems. Microsoft Windows XP is the most popular operating system around and mostly don’t even have a clue of the other systems like Linux. We can’t blame them because Microsoft Windows is indeed like a tattoo permanently drawn on people’s minds. Windows was marketed perfectly and so most programs all run on Windows. Plus, Windows is not so complicated to learn and very user-friendly.

The problem though with Windows is that it’s not free. Gone were the days when you can operate an Internet cafe using only a non-genuine copy of the Windows installation. Nowadays you’ve got to have original Windows installed in each of your computers. Lately, Microsoft saw the big demand of internet cafe here in the philippines and thus it released the Internet Cafe Rental Rights Program.

Linux however is free.You can install it to as many computers as you want. The problem is it’s quite complicated to learn. Most people who love this operating system are techies. People are more used to usual Windows programs like Word,Excel,Powerpoint,etc. but if you’re going to use Linux,although it already has bundled office programs,it will be like taking the person to a whole different world. Most people have no time to learn a different application just to type in a document. Although there can be ways to run Windows applications and games through a Linux,that can possibly be drastic for most.If you are a “tinkerer” or a person who likes to “DIY,” then Linux may well be the choice for you. If you “just want it to work” without any fuss, then consider Windows.

Let’s assume that you chose to install Windows.As I’ve said,Microsoft saw the big demand of internet cafe here in the philippines and thus it released the Internet Cafe Rental Rights Program.As stated in http://www.microsoft.com/philippines/internetcafe

“Under the current Microsoft Licensing terms (OEM, Full Packaged Product and Volume License), there is no right to allow a 3rd party other than the customer to use Microsoft software. This means that even after purchasing genuine Microsoft software, you will not legally be able to rent-out the use of Microsoft software. However regularly and therefore would be in breach of your license agreement with Microsoft. The Microsoft Software Rental Agreement for Internet Cafés seeks to rectify this by providing a right to Internet Café owners like yourself to allow 3rd parties to use Microsoft software legally.”

Stores that I know of that resells Windows are PC Bodega and Villman.A genuine copy may be expensive but it’s worth it because it assures of your own business’ legality. You would want to stay legitimate as much as possible. If you’re going to start out with 6 omputers, you should buy 6 copies of Windows.The tutorial I provided on the right side about Basic Network Setup is intended for Windows XP.

Many of you who are reading this article are using Windows as most of the other internet users do. There is a huge difference between the number of users of LINUX and Windows. Some say Windows is much better than LINUX because it gives you an easy handling of the hardware and software. Some say LINUX is much better because it started as Open Source software and that’s why it is much more flexible than Windows. Then why there is a huge market difference between these operating systems?

After mentioning some of the different aspects of these operating systems, it can be said that all Linux needs to compete with Windows is some user friendly interface and a strong company support which can provide the users with technical information and user manuals.

The choice of operating system is entirely up to you whether be a Linux or a Microsoft Windows XP.There have been different distributions of Linux already but there’s now popular one named Ubuntu and said to be the most user-friendly of all Linux distributions.

If you could already afford it,you can start out with brand new computers. Computer stores that I know with websites are Villman, PCBodega and Rising Sun.These stores are known for their competitive price,quality and support.Go for AMD-based computers instead of intel because not only are they cheaper than intel but they have similar performance as well.

But if you’re budget conscious,you may want to start out first with second-hand ones.I did. When I started,I purchased second-hand Pentium 3 computers with 128 megabytes of memory and 8 megabytes of video. I bought them from a nearby computer store selling korean surplus items. Stores selling korean surplus computers are almost everywhere particularly in malls so it’s not hard to find them.

I only have second-hand Pentium 3 computers because I’m not offering games. Games is not feasible in our area that’s why I only offer internet surfing. A second-hand Pentium 3 computer with a 128 megabytes memory and 8 megabytes of video is enough for plain surfing,chat,email and typing of documents. If I were to offer games, I think I’ll have second-hand computers with a processor of AMD Duron,a video card of 64 megabytes and a memory of 256 megabytes.I’m pretty sure that with that kind of specs,online games could run smooth.

When you buy webcams, go for A4tech PK-636MA.This is the cheapest i’ve seen so far but don’t get fooled by its being cheap. They say that cheap products also have cheap quality but not with A4tech PK-636MA. It has crisp clear quality better than those expensive webcams out there. Its durability is also the best and it even has a built-in microphone. Webcams are essential for customers who love to chat online. Also get good headsets because there are customers who also love to voice-chat. Most instant messengers have this feature especially the now popular Skype.

Still talking about second-hand,you may also want to buy a second-hand Canon Scanner and Epson printer. I did—and they’re still working just fine. I chose an Epson-brand printer so that I could utilize the CISS also known as Continious Ink Supply System. you should use CISS instead of the ordinary cartridge because with CISS,you’ll save lots of printing costs.A CISS holds large capacity of ink at a fraction of a cost unlike an ordinary cartridge that can hold only little amount and can be damaged if refilled for several times.

You might want to buy a UPS for each of the computers.An uninterruptible power supply (UPS), uninterruptible power source or sometimes called a battery backup is a device which maintains a continuous supply of electric power to connected equipment by supplying power from a separate source when utility power is not available. A UPS is inserted between the source of power (typically commercial utility power) and the load it is protecting. When a power failure or abnormality occurs, the UPS will effectively switch from utility power to its own power source almost instantaneously.

Trust factor is crucial—you might want to buy a surveillance system for your shop.It’s hard to find trustworthy employees these days.or if you plan to start out your shop with no employee at first,of course it will be you who would man it first. But there are still times that you have to leave your shop for just a short period of time. I started out like that. For sure there will be times that i come out of the shop to do such things as buying me some lunch. Times like that,a surveillance system is still needed. You may never know that a customer might do stupid things while you’re away. Surveillance system prevents theft and I think you need it.

And last but not the least,you must put sound system—either your old stereo or component. Play a cozy FM station or some music CD. Music is essential for customers.

At first I’ve got no idea how I want my internet cafe shop to look like. To solve this case, I went on spying to other internet shops around to gather ideas. Most of them have all glass doors out front either sliding or push/pull mechanism. With regards to tables, some have their tables constructed in an extended-style while some are individually constructed. Even the lazier internet cafe owners just bought themselves read-made ones which I think are more expensive. If I were you, I’ll go for the first option which is have them constructed manually. I opted for individual tables instead of the elongated style. My reason? To modify space easily and the ease of moving them around. I had them for just 800 pesos each.
A typical table is like 4-5 feet high. To check this, simply sit on a char and estimate the measurement using a ruler. Tell your carpenter or whoever is making your tables to put a simple horizontal foot-rest at the bottom. Then make sure that the keyboard and mouse would rightly fit on the flat where the future customer would lay his/her hands on to surf the cyberspace. I also recommend that you put the CPU on top of the table instead of right beside the monitor. Reason? So that the eyes of the customer won’t divert towards the CPU and won’t do anything stupid in it. They’ll just simply concentrate on the monitor,keyboard and mouse.

As with chairs, it’s up to you if you want to start out first with monoblock chairs(I did) or you could go straight with comfortable but pricey ones.

There should be a seperate table for the cashier. Either you have it manually constructed or just buy a ready-made. As for me,I was already lazy for it so I just opted for a ready-made. It has drawers with locks where I’ll put the money and some important files. A computer should also be placed here because that’s where you or your employee sits to manage the billing and also a printer and a scanner should also be placed right on that table. The modem and the router/switch hub should also be near this table. If they no longer fit on the table, you can just improvise by placing a small piece of plywood punched against the wall beside your table and then place your modem and router/switch hub. When a technician from your preferred Internet Service Provider(ISP) arrives and asks you where to put the modem,tell him to place it right near your table.

Your floor should be covered with thick vinyl tiles—not the roll-up one that easily gets teared. Thick vinyl tiles are not just durable. you could also mop it easily and sweep it with ease.

A good electrical wiring is essential. A good electrical bill relies on how good the wiring was set up by your chosen electrician. Plan on how many electrical outlets to put around your shop and then make sure that they are near to where your computers will be placed.

It’s up to you if you want to have an airconditioner in the first place. As with me, I never had one in my shop when I started out. I know that based from the experiences of others, airconditioners eat up most of the energy and it’s responsible of how high the electric bill is. So instead, I just had a big exhaust fan installed and some wall electricfans as well. Make sure that the switches of this appliances such as the fans should not be accessible to the customers or else,it might give them the right to turn them on and off.

For the front, you should have a good signage. You should give bypassers that you are an internet cafe and how cozy it is inside. Have a panaflex with your internet cafe’s name printed on it. Posters can help too—for example,posters of online games and computer related images. You should also post the list of services you offer inside.Make sure that you really lure them.You are projecting a lasting impression here.