Some time ago I received an email where they told me that they would like to know something about Ubuntu and internet cafes, more specifically on the software to use in an internet café. I have searched and investigated about it and although there is not much it has helped me to get a good idea of what there is. Currently there are only two distributions focused on cybercafés, in addition these distributions are developed on Ubuntu. The problem with all this is that they are unsupported or withdrawn distributions due to the problems they have encountered. The reason for all this is due to Ubuntu itself. And no, I'm not saying Ubuntu is bad, but Ubuntu by default is oriented to network use, like the rest of GNU / Linux distributions, so it makes little sense to develop something specific for a cybercafé that is already a network.
Cyberlinux and Loculinux, the easiest options
Cyberlinux and Loculinux They are the distributions that I have found oriented to Internet cafes. The first of them, Ciberlinux, has been withdrawn due to the problem it had. Faced with such a problem, the developers have said that they are going to rewrite the faulty program to improve the distribution and the software. Cyberlinux It was based on Ubuntu 12.04 so we may see a new installment of this distribution in the next LTS version. The second distribution, loculinuxIt is based on Ubuntu 10.04 and nothing is known about future updates so I really do not recommend it, although it is still a good option if we have old equipment.
New Cyber Control, the intermediate option for Internet cafes
In Internet cafes with Windows, the system to use is to create a network with Windows Server as a center and install a program on each client that allows control of the client computer from the server. We can reproduce this perfectly thanks to the program New Cyber Control, a program that is installed on each client and on the server and allows us to control the client from our server. It is comfortable, fast and simple, since its installation is through deb packages. The only bad thing about this system is that it is a bit outdated and may cause problems with new versions, such as Ubuntu 13.10
Our own network, the most difficult option
This option is the most difficult and the most complex, but surely those who know about networks will already know where I am going. As what we have in the Cybercafé is a simple network, what we can do is create a network with Ubuntu and Ubuntu server and manage the computers from the server. We would not need any program but know how to script and manage the .log files to be able to control the time of the session. In addition, managing the profiles and users, we can give a lot of play to the network and the cybercafé, but as I said it is a difficult and arduous option, at first, since then it will give a lot of peace of mind, more than with other systems.
You decide which system to use, but still remember how much Ubuntu as Gnu / Linux They have their virtues and their defects when working in an Internet cafe, such as a limitation of video games or a practical non-existence of viruses as a virtue, for example. So if you are thinking of setting up an Internet cafe or phone shop, or you are thinking of renovating it, don't forget to consider this, it will save you future disappointments.
The truth is that it is quite easy to build a cyber with Linux. I did it three years ago and no problem so far, neither with the computers nor with my clients (those who come to cyber); And look, I didn't even bother like others to disguise the system to look like the one in most use.
Perhaps the most difficult thing is to get the necessary packages to set up the server and the clients, since there is little software specialized in this type of activities for GNU / Linux: Café con leche, OpenLAN house, Mkahawa and zeiberbude, they were the only ones I found.
Of all those mentioned, only Mkahawa was the one that worked properly, although to make it work I had to compile it from source code (luckily it is free software), since the .deb packages were only for 32 bits (now I don't know) and I I handle 64 bit Xubuntu.
But outside of that little complication, the rest has been really simple.
Regarding Menoru's experience with Mkahawa (http://mkahawa.sourceforge.net) in his cybercafe, and the steps that he suggests for its installation, in the sig.link I found information that would complement the subject: (http://hacklog.in/mkahawa-cybercafe-billing-software-for-linux/). It is in English.
Thank you Ubunlog. Thank you Menoru.
Greetings from Chile.
Alejandro.
On the contrary, thank you for making me feel less alone in this business.
At first, when I just started the path in this, I felt like someone who was rowing against the current, because I did not believe that anyone else had done what I was doing, since in my locality no other cyber uses GNU / Linux on their computers, and even the date, that I know of, no one else does.
When those of us who own a cyber café with GNU / Linux realize that other cyber owners also use Linux on their premises, it makes us feel less alone. At least that's my feeling.
I comment. I am speaking to you from Spain. At the beginning I had my original windows and everything was going well until they invented the operating license that consisted of paying about € 60 / year per PC, so as the influx of children for games was very low and it was the only thing that justified having windows, I reduced my PCs from 16 to 8 and I put linux, this was years ago. Today the cyber shop gives little money, I support myself thanks to the repairs, but it is a complement to the business income.
On PCs at first I had loculinux, with mkahawa as the control software. Today I have Xubuntu 14 with CBM as a control program that works well and I was able to adapt it to make the tickets (simplified invoices must be called now) according to the law, mkahawa could not do this.
my name is Julio White and I am from Nicaragua .. I am putting linux on the client computers of a cyber cafe !!! but I can not tie it with the cyber control since the server I have windows for the compatibility with the printers that I use I only have a linux driver !!! and. cyber control which is a software I think that in Argentina I have seen that many install it with the linux client and I have followed the steps and everything but I do not know why it does not work for me, maybe I do something wrong!
Buenas tardes. I would like to expand my knowledge of free software. 100% FREE