Cybercafes - A Dying Trend?

A not-so-anonymous Anonymous Coward asks: "I've been considering opening up a CyberCafe for a while now, and I've been searching the web for cyber cafe websites. I've found several cybercafe databases, but was disappointed to find that a majority of the sites I found were either taken over by register-this-domain pages or hadn't been updated for a couple of years. Another Cyber/Gaming Cafe I found online announced today that they were closing. So are Cyber/Internet/Gaming cafes just another bubble the net will burst, or are they actually worth investing in? Any cafe owners with experience to point one way or the other? Where are the success stories?"

Comments

Not in America

[revmoo]

I know that in many other countries Internet Cafe's are insanely popular, but this is usually because the cost of living is so low, and the telcom situation is so bad that having a computer and an Internet connection is only affordable by the upper-class, therefore people flock to these Internet cafe's to chat, check email, play games, surf porn, etc.

In America, most people can easily afford a computer and an Internet connection, so Internet cafe's are really an answer lacking a question.

I talk periodically to a friend online who's CS clan opened a LAN gaming center, and they have gotten pretty popular, in fact they are opening new locations. However, this isn't your typical Internet cafe, people come to hang out with likeminded individuals and play games with each other in person. It's not a financial issue as much as it is an entertainment issue.

My suggestion? Don't bother. Unless you can find a niche to fill with your Internet cafe, there is nothing to stop it from falling by the wayside just like all the rest.

Re:Not in America

[HeghmoH]

This is stupid and OT, but I can't resist.

The T1 is totally obsolete as a unit of "wow that's a lot of bandwidth". It offers 1.5MBps which is often beat by common DSL and cable services. I suggest talking about T3s in the future, at least until we can get that much bandwidth into the home and consumer prices.

What about you ?

[Anonymous Coward]

You didn't search these databases from a cyber cafe, did you ? You didn't post this slashdot article from one, did you ?

There's your answer.

Product of the ever lowering prices on computers.

[GrandCow]

Cybercafe's were made back when computers were $3000 and many people just wanted email. Now that you can get an emachine for $300 and internet access for $10/month (or free in many places), the whole idea is rather absurd. The internet by definition is not a social meduim (in person. over the actual net is a different story)

Re:try something that makes sense

[clark625]

While I completely understand your point, part of me remembers the days when I had to deal with several computers that were completely open and people would seemingly intentionally screw up everything such that a complete re-install of the OS was necessary. Granted, there are some nice ghosting utilities out there now that will re-sync the machine after the person logs out or every night; but those aren't always the best solution for everyone. I tend to understand why some admins think it's perfectly acceptable to be very restrictive--it makes their lives slightly easier and hopefully don't have to also worry about the legal ramifications if someone uses a completely open box to do something illegal (because the site is probably somewhat liable for monitoring what goes on; and even if not it could rack up huge legal bills proving it). In the end, you might lose a few customers because of the restrictive policies; but if it lowers the costs of the service (including risks), it may be more desirable.

So Very True! Locked Down OSs Suck! But...

[thecampbeln]

Again from the American in Australia...

There seems to be 2 kinds of net cafe's OS wise - fully open and locked down to the point of uselessness. As a traveller, I have a USB thumb drive with my documents on it. Sometimes you need to install its drivers and it's VERY annoying when you can't.

But that's not to say that I approve of the wide open systems either... If I can install whatever the hell I want, so can anyone else (think keyloggers, etc).

What I have often thought is if I ran one of these places, I'd give each user a removable hard disk to slide into their rented system. Once they were done, they'd return the hard disk and I'd re-image it at the front desk. That way you're guaranteed that everyone can do whatever the hell they want/need to on your systems but only while they are there.

Of course you'd have the extra expense of having a few more hard disks then systems, a system up front to re-image disks, the removable trays themselves, the additional time for the users to startup and shutdown every time, lost/damaged/dropped/stolen hard disks... Needless to say there would be a few issues to work out, but all in all I think an approach like this would be the best for all parties involved (assuming you overcome the issues listed above of course =).

Anywhoo... just my rambling ideas!

Re:So Very True! Locked Down OSs Suck! But...

[Hast]

Wouldn't it be better to have the machines running from a network boot? You could use the HDD for installing programs temporarily and as a scratch disk. Reboot the machine and you have a fresh OS.

I can imagine that would be slightly more work with Windows, but still possible (since it may not be completely cooperative).

Another thing to consider is natually to try and anticipate the users needs so they don't need to install software. Or you could have a specific computer at the desk for installing software (which you would have clearly visable to the person working there). You could then make up your mind if you should wide the disk afterwards or keep it on there.

Not cyber cafe - LAN gaming arena

[cgenman]

The successful US "cyber cafes" don't market themselves as "cyber cafes." There are no food served, no drinks, and the emphasis is squarely upon videogames. The Adrenaline Zone recently opened up here near Harvard, and it has been doing brisk business with LAN gaming and online gaming. You can surf the web if you want to, but unlike a traditional overseas cyber cafe, nobody does. You wouldn't even consider writing a paper at one.

The key to their success is probably that while everyone in the United States can find a hand-me-down computer that can run Windows 98 enough to surf and 9.95 per month for internet access, not everyone is willing to shell out the 100 dollars for a performance graphics card and another 50 dollars monthly for the DSL required for gaming (if it is even available in their area). You really do have to make a technology investment to play Unreal Tournament 2003, and so people turn to LAN gaming centers.

In other words, forget the food. Forget the printers. Forget selling 802.11g cards under the counter with crumpets. Buy a solid batch of Athlons with Radeon 9600 Pro cards, turn the lights down really low, and aim for the unwashed masses. You'll be glad you did.

Another reason...

[Incongruity]

In many markets (Chicago, and Minneapolis/St. Paul, esp., both from my limited experience), many more places are starting to offer free wireless net access and that makes it less likely that the multitudes of people with laptops will head out to specifically internet cafes.

Examples include Dunn Bros. coffee in Minneapolis/St. Paul, they give away wireless at almost all of their shops, and here in chicago, even brew-pubs like Goose Island are getting in on the act. And who could forget the likes of Starbucks and their wireless AP's (though not free, I believe, still cheap)

In short, the specialty of providing internet access is loosing its high bar to entry and thus is becoming an easily integrated part of many other business plans.

Re:try something that makes sense

[magores]

Security Admin Option #1: Deny unless required for business.

Security Admin Option #2: Open until it messes with your business. 2 minutes later, refer to Option #1

hybrid: arcade and hacking; why it didnt work

[phloydphreak]

hey.

I have been going to lan arcades since '98. I think they are healthy and totally necessary during the high school years as a place to get out of the house and not be doing illegal (well... not TOO illegal) activities. During college, its a place to meet up with old friends and begin giving back to the owner for all the time and fun he has given you, by hacking his machines. After college, its a place to remember with nostalgia, and hack your own boxes from.

in my area, a new lan arcade opened up looking for those kids who like gaming and like learning. They are trying to get the pro-gamers on the weekends and nights while offering computer networking classes and hackathons during the daylight hours (4-7). The real appeal to this new arcade is its seperation of smoking and non-smoking sections. This is a very big draw, considering the social aspect of the gaming scene. Going through 2 packs of cigs in a night with your friends is not a cost effective or healthy activity.

However, this new arcade is faltering for 2 reasons.

1) too close to another arcade: kids are very loyal to their gaming arcades. At every arcade i have frequented; everyone knew the owners and everyone knew each other. The facilities of other arcades might be better, but the purpose of gaming at those locations is friends; the friends arent there. Find a spot without an arcade near and you will be money.

2)draconian installation procedures. Counterproductive. They are trying to entice hackers without giving them access to anything beyond their java overlay. This also keeps users from damaging the machines with poor installation choices. In the end it is better to simply wipe the machines weekly and reinstall images on all machines than limit your users... because keeping them from installing programs will drive them away in droves.

wow. that was alot longer than i thought it would be. hope it helped!

Re:It depends on what ou want to do...

[AKnightCowboy]

2) Hire kids that are just slightly older than your target demographic, and that the target group like, to work the shop.

Don't forget, large breasts and tight t-shirts on your waitresses will appeal to most of your target demographic (11-85 year old males). Whatever you do, do NOT hire geeky teenager boys to work at your cybercafe. You'll just drive business away elsewhere. Look into providing topless wait service for the over-18 Counter-Strike playing crowd. Depending on your community though they may be prudes about this.

P.S.: Yes, I'm entirely serious. Big breasted women bringing me Pepsi would be the only thing that would make me come into your cyber cafe. I'll check my mail on my 3G cell phone or wait until I get home to browse the net.

Very very difficult

[SmallFurryCreature]

I used one before I got broadband to keep the costs in check. I knew exactly how much I was spending. I stopped when I got broadband because quit frankly I have better hardware and better booze at home.

There are quit a few here in Amsterdam (holland) and they do vary.

• Cyber cafe's, they are just bars with a few pc's. Typically used by tourists and people who for some reason don't have a phone line but do got money. Foreign workers staying in hotels are regulars. Cheaper then what a hotel charges. Some are fun as a bar.
• Phone shops. Amsterdam has a large immigrant population and shops provide cheap phone calls back home. Most also have internet access. Mostly used by young immigrants. Not very welcoming to outsiders.
• Copy shops. It is a student town and students need to copy things. They typically have a couple of machines that can be used for desktop publishing but also have internet access. Expensive because of the hardware but good if you want to work.
• Of course there is the easyaccess place wich is pure tourists.

So what do I think that works? Well depends on the people in your area. If there is a large group of people without access at home then you can easily open a store in a central location. Add a small bar. A place where people can get a drink and access the net.

If people do got access at home you need to supply a very good reason for them to come to your place. Very fast access could be one but this costs lots of money. A fun enviroment could be one but sitting behind a computer is ultimately a single experience.

You could attempt to setup a gaming center if you got the money. But it would be very very difficult to keep the place open. Open to the general public I mean. New clients can easily be discouraged if you don't provide a welcoming atmosphere. And I don't mean just in the bar but also in the games going on.