New business startup help/suggestions/info needed
Mark Peoples
hondaman@mainex1.asu.edu
Sat, 26 Aug 2000 10:49:09 -0700
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I only trust Dell PowerEdge servers, but I'm sure others have had success
with custom-built stuff too.
For the workstations, try looking at the netpc deals that MSI has.
www.msicomputer.com I'll probably get a few of these myself for terminals
around the pad (eg, one it the kitchen to look at recipes, one in the
crapper for sunday morning news, etc etc) since they aren't very expensive
and are somewhat flexible.
-----Original Message-----
From: Hawke [mailto:proudhawk19021@home.com]
Sent: Saturday, August 26, 2000 5:10 AM
To: plug-discuss
Subject: New business startup help/suggestions/info needed
Guys,
I've been putting this thing off long enough.
I now need some help.
I'd like to start a business that involves the use of computers
in a small location that serves the public (A cybercafe').
I would appreciate any additional input here 9especially from
those who are either owners or major contributing partners
in their respective organizations).
I am also in need of funding sources (if you guys know of any
where grants may be issued, etc, please let me know)
I am looking at 2 alternatives so far as the hardware is concerned:
1. 25 workstations (diskless)
specifications (workstations):
memory: 256 megabytes
video; 8 megabytes or more
embedded linux os for loading Xwindows (or windows if need be)
on an ethernet backbone to a main server (100baseT).
Large monitors (17 inch or greater)
CPU: athelon 550 Mhz or higher
(on some machines I will include "special access technology"
for the visually impaired)
Alternative 2:
25 workstations (permanently mounted laptops)
built in HDD's (restricted access)
100BaseT ethernet with embedded linux OS
CPU: Athelon 550 Mhz or higher
Server:
CPU:Athelon 700 Mhz or greater
Memory: 512 megabytes or greater
HDD: Multiple 30 gigbye drives/RAID/SCSI
Standard vid adaptor (this is also the admin station)
OS: linux/BSD/SCO Unix/SUN Solaris/winNT
(any of these, but prefer *nix)
2 Ethernet adaptors (100BaseT or fiber interface)
other equipment: 50 way switch (100BaseT)
Routing panel
card reader
It has been suggested to me that I issue cards of prepaid time
(such as 30 minute, 60 minute, up to 1000 minutes) for various prices.
The cost is computed on a per-minute basis and the larger cards
would reflect a discount).
As always, location is important. since there are already 3 such
places around ASU, I plan to look elsewhere (such as central
Phoenix, downtown Phoenix, Downtown glendale and north glendale)
I am looking at possible bidquotes for both alternatives listed above
from local providers 9such as technology partners, pc-club, and others).
I am also looking at who would offer the best backbone service
(or should I go with more than one with an in-house peering
arrangement?), such as Cox, AT&T, QWEST, Sprint, MCI.
Let me know if I need to add anything to this.
I am trying to get this idea going as quickly as possible.
Thank you.
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<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>I only trust Dell PowerEdge servers, but I'm sure =
others have had success with custom-built stuff too.</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>For the workstations, try looking at the netpc deals =
that MSI has. www.msicomputer.com I'll probably get a few of =
these myself for terminals around the pad (eg, one it the kitchen to =
look at recipes, one in the crapper for sunday morning news, etc etc) =
since they aren't very expensive and are somewhat flexible.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>-----Original Message-----</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>From: Hawke [<A =
HREF=3D"mailto:proudhawk19021@home.com">mailto:proudhawk19021@home.com</=
A>]</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>Sent: Saturday, August 26, 2000 5:10 AM</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>To: plug-discuss</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>Subject: New business startup help/suggestions/info =
needed</FONT>
</P>
<BR>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>Guys,</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>I've been putting this thing off long enough.</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>I now need some help.</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>I'd like to start a business that involves the use of =
computers</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>in a small location that serves the public (A =
cybercafe').</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>I would appreciate any additional input here =
9especially from</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>those who are either owners or major contributing =
partners</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>in their respective organizations).</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>I am also in need of funding sources (if you guys =
know of any</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>where grants may be issued, etc, please let me =
know)</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>I am looking at 2 alternatives so far as the hardware =
is concerned:</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>1. 25 workstations (diskless)</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2> specifications =
(workstations):</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2> memory: =
256 megabytes</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2> video; 8 =
megabytes or more</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2> embedded =
linux os for loading Xwindows (or windows if need be)</FONT>
<BR><FONT =
SIZE=3D2> &nb=
sp; on an ethernet backbone to a main server (100baseT).</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2> Large =
monitors (17 inch or greater)</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2> CPU: =
athelon 550 Mhz or higher</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2> (on some =
machines I will include "special access technology"</FONT>
<BR><FONT =
SIZE=3D2> &nb=
sp; for the visually impaired)</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>Alternative 2:</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2> 25 workstations (permanently =
mounted laptops)</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2> built in =
HDD's (restricted access)</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2> 100BaseT =
ethernet with embedded linux OS</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2> CPU: =
Athelon 550 Mhz or higher</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>Server:</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2> CPU:Athelon 700 Mhz or =
greater</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2> Memory: 512 megabytes or =
greater</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2> HDD: Multiple 30 gigbye =
drives/RAID/SCSI</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2> Standard vid adaptor (this is =
also the admin station)</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2> OS: linux/BSD/SCO Unix/SUN =
Solaris/winNT</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2> (any of these, =
but prefer *nix)</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2> 2 Ethernet adaptors (100BaseT or =
fiber interface)</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>other equipment: 50 way switch (100BaseT)</FONT>
<BR><FONT =
SIZE=3D2> &nb=
sp; &nb=
sp; Routing panel</FONT>
<BR><FONT =
SIZE=3D2> &nb=
sp; &nb=
sp; card reader</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>It has been suggested to me that I issue cards of =
prepaid time</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>(such as 30 minute, 60 minute, up to 1000 minutes) =
for various prices.</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>The cost is computed on a per-minute basis and the =
larger cards</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>would reflect a discount).</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>As always, location is important. since there are =
already 3 such</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>places around ASU, I plan to look elsewhere (such as =
central</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>Phoenix, downtown Phoenix, Downtown glendale and =
north glendale)</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>I am looking at possible bidquotes for both =
alternatives listed above</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>from local providers 9such as technology partners, =
pc-club, and others).</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>I am also looking at who would offer the best =
backbone service</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>(or should I go with more than one with an in-house =
peering</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>arrangement?), such as Cox, AT&T, QWEST, Sprint, =
MCI.</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>Let me know if I need to add anything to this.</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>I am trying to get this idea going as quickly as =
possible.</FONT>
</P>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>Thank you.</FONT>
</P>
<BR>
<BR>
<P><FONT =
SIZE=3D2>________________________________________________</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2>See <A =
HREF=3D"http://PLUG.phoenix.az.us/navigator-mail.shtml" =
TARGET=3D"_blank">http://PLUG.phoenix.az.us/navigator-mail.shtml</A> if =
your mail doesn't post to the list quickly and you use Netscape to =
write mail.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=3D2>Plug-discuss mailing list - =
Plug-discuss@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=3D2><A =
HREF=3D"http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss" =
TARGET=3D"_blank">http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-=
discuss</A></FONT>
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