For pages printed, scraping the data from a CUPS server should be no big
problem, specifically if all the clients represent themselves as unique
users, then narrow by timeframe.
For the clients, I'd look at something like NoCatAuth. It's intended for
wireless networks, or it was originally at least, but could probably be
adapted to a wired network, simply requiring the user to "login" when
they try and access the net (would you be doing anything else at a
cybercafe? :-P) and then track their session length.
Just my thoughts.

-Bryce


On Fri, 2005-10-06 at 12:27 -0700, Technomage wrote:
> ok, I was recently handed a nice assignment, but I am not entirely sure how to 
> proceed with it.
> 
> the scenario is this:
> 
> a small cybercafe setup with 4 windows client machines hooked into a linux 
> backend machine (to act as printserver and accounting). this in turn is 
> hooked into a BSD firewall/bridging router.
> 
> now. the other things I can handle, its the linux print server/accounting box 
> I am going to have a problem with.
> 
> what I need is an accounting package that can account for time online of 
> specified users on each box, and to account also for how many pages each one 
> sends to the printer (the data collected and sent to another box where it can 
> be rung up as a cash register).
> 
> since I am not entirely sure I am explaining this completely, I may need some 
> specified questions asked.
> 
> can anyone help?
> 
> TMH
> 623-849-9515
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