ok, so diskless workstations would work beter. or possibly something with hdd's (so that if the network does flake out, the machines will still be functional) Gary Nichols wrote: > You might also want to consider North Central/North West phoenix. This area > is booming, and it's mostly younger families and us single types. Lots of > money up here, and trendy shops are doing VERY well. > > I would also suggest going against the permanently-mounted laptop > scenerio... I've worked on this type of setup before at trade shows and it > is a maintenance nightmare.... > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Hawke" > To: "plug-discuss" > Sent: Saturday, August 26, 2000 5:10 AM > 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. > > > > > > > > ________________________________________________ > > See http://PLUG.phoenix.az.us/navigator-mail.shtml if your mail doesn't > post to the list quickly and you use Netscape to write mail. > > > > Plug-discuss mailing list - Plug-discuss@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us > > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > > > > ________________________________________________ > See http://PLUG.phoenix.az.us/navigator-mail.shtml if your mail doesn't post to the list quickly and you use Netscape to write mail. > > Plug-discuss mailing list - Plug-discuss@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss