Internet Café - Learning Center Management Software

A sample Internet Cafe setup - tested and working

To set up an internet cafe, first download the "Control de Ciber server" software, and install it on the administrator's computer.

• The first thing you need to do on the server's computer is set the prices. Do this by clicking "Opciones" and selecting one of the three options "Usar tarifa con precio fijo...", "Usar tarifa con precio variable...", or "Tarifas multiples". I use the second option, set a minimal fee, specify how many extra minutes they get without paying extra, and then specify an hourly cost. The program will round up unless you choose to calculate fractions.
• The second thing you can do is change the default splash screen or restrict what the users are permitted to do. Go to "Opciones->Configurar." Options to change the splash screen and display a timer on the user's screen are in "Opciones Generales." You can also set the default homepage and set several options from here. After accepting the changes, you can go into "Permisos en terminales" to restrict permissions of the client.

Next, set up each client's computer. This is very simple:

• Download and install the Client installer on each client. You need to specify the computer number and the IP or name of the administrator computer that is RUNNING the server program.

The server can now control, restrict, and charge for client computer use. You can also control volume, shut off monitors, restart or logoff or shutdown computers, kill processes, or send messages to the clients.

There is a setting that prevents terminals from doing anything until they communicate with the server. This renders them useless UNLESS the server is functioning and permits access. This is helpful for locking things down, but cumbersome if there are problems or if you want to use a client computer without having the server on. Leaving this setting disabled is ideal for a classroom, because the computers can be used independently. As soon as the server computer starts the administration program, control will be snatched from the clients and the administrator can take control from there.

Untested: Control de Ciber has options to manage printing, set complex pricing schemes, preview the users computer screen, kill processes, charge for "special services" like CD burning, log daily/weekly time and cost totals, restrict access to administration, and switch languages (English and Romanian). These settings are available but have not been tested.

Other recommended programs that perform similar functions are:

• HandyCafe
• ClubControl AE
• TrueCafe (expensive)
• Cafe con Leche or "Mkahawa" (linux)

A Sample Classroom Setup, tested and working

To give the teacher more control over the classroom and enable him/her to share the screen with the entire class all at once, download and install "iTalc."

• On the server computer, install the Master and the Client program. Create a public key and put it somewhere where the client computers can access it.
• Next, install the client application on the client computers. You'll have to navigate to where the public key is and add it during the installation.
• Finally, you have to create a classroom and add each computer using their IP or computer name on the administrator computer.
• Then you should be able to control the client computers, share a student's screen with the class, share the administrator's computer with the class, block access, or log off/restart/shut down the entire class of computers. This program also allows you to watch miniature versions of each student's screen on the master computer, which can be helpful for monitoring appropriate internet use.

OpenDNS Filtering and Internet Security (tested and works)

Internet filtering software is neither capable nor intended to try and prevent users from actively searching out pornographic, socially deviant, or immoral websites. It can't enforce morality or any sort of conduct code on client users. What it is designed to do is prevent accidental stumbling upon undesired content, and block intrusive advertising which assaults the user with immoral images, links, and information.

A great solution toward this goal is OpenDNS. It is very customizable, the administrator has control over levels and types of websites that are filtered, it is fast and cleverly designed, and the philosophy behind its use is good. Websites are filtered based on peer reviews and not keywords. Its only drawback may be its complexity. It requires changing of the DNS server which is not very difficult, but requires a low level of advanced knowledge and is not for beginners.

To set up OpenDNS, you must create a free account at their website, set the filtering defaults, and change the router settings in your computer lab to use OpenDNS's nameservers. Upon doing so, everything connected to the network is now filtered. The website provides more detailed directions.

OpenDNS has these advantages:

• Filtering occurs at the router, which:
  • Is secure. To bypass the filter you need extremely advanced networking knowledge or the name and password
  • Is fast. The filtering occurs on OPENDNS's servers, instead of on each individual computer, outsourcing all processing and saving valuable resources for the user.
  • Is simple. You only have to set it up on the router, and changes extend to the rest of the network.
• It's customizable and and peer-reviewed
  • If I understand correctly, websites are filtered by community requests and voting. Thus, what people rate as obscene or of "prurient interest" are blocked. This approach prevents things such as "breast cancer research" from being blocked in keyword searches. However... this may make it vulnerable to recently posted websites and general community-based website obscenity. It prevents "accidents" and intrusive pop-ups, though.
  • You can select different "categories" of websites to block, such as "gambling," "hate speech," "pornography," etc... The administrator can select filter options on-line.
  • You can customize the image and message that pops up when a website is blocked. This is great for localizing (and possibly logging) questionable hits.
• It's free, lite, and commercial-free.

It has these disadvantages:

• Setup is not for beginners, but low-advanced level computer technicians.
• I have not tested the effectiveness of what is blocked, but I did see several computer lab users run into the filter on accident (mispelled websites) and when looking into potentially dangerous topics (chat, girls, etc...)
  • I think it might err on the side of leniency. If you really want to crack down, there may be better options.
• I am not sure what happens if the IP of the modem changes. The free account at OpenDNS is tied to the IP. There are ways of syncing it, but I have not yet set that up.

An article describing the pros and mechanics of how OPENDNS works is here.