IAS/RADIUS Implementation in a Coffee Shop?

noyler asks: "I've been asked to decide on the best way for metering a 'free' wireless network at a local coffee shop. Here's the scenario: currently, local college students come to the coffee shop, grab a cup of coffee, and then spread out like it's a study hall for 6 to 10 hours at a time and use the free internet. The coffee shop loves this, but it's getting really crowded for the other customers that just come in for some coffee and have nowhere to sit. The management wants to implement a system that, upon buying a drink, grants a time-limited connection for that customer of 3 or 4 hours. If the customer wants more access, another drink will need to be purchased. The store network is a simple cable modem with wireless access point attached right now. After implementation, customers should be prompted for a username/password (which can come from his or her receipt) and then have access to the 'net. One limitation is that the customers should not have to install any third-party software to use it--no window for software corruption liability that way. The customer base is mostly Windows with an ever-growing number of Mac users as well. What are some good ideas for doing this? I've considered RADIUS, or some kind of portal software, but don't see any clear answers. Any suggestions for software to use?? The coffee shop is very low budget, so cheap hardware and free software would be best!"

Comments

Re:What about your feet?

[mcelrath]

Corporations should not attempt "social engineering". Don't tell me where to sit, how long to stay, that I have to buy a drink before reserving a table, or that I have to jump through your hoops to access your internet. Don't nickel and dime your customers either. Such practices only alienate customers. Small friendly retail joints generally cannot afford to alienate customers.

What is left is simple economics. Does the store owner really care that it's crowded? No! That's great business! If he can't pay the bills, raise the prices on drinks. The free internet is a loss-leader to sell drinks. Offering internet to paying customers, with a small coffee stand on the side is a different business model (and very likely...less popular).

Basically, any business which has any kind of "list of rules" is missing the point. It's a business. They sell things. And selling things is all that the business owner really has control over.

-- Bob (who spends to much time in the local coffee shop)