New business startup help/suggestions/info needed

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Author: MarkPeopleshondaman@mainex1.asu.edu
Date:
Subject: New business startup help/suggestions/info needed

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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.

________________________________________________
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
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<TITLE>RE: New business startup help/suggestions/info needed</TITLE>
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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 [<A =
HREF=3D"mailto:proudhawk19021@home.com">mailto:proudhawk19021@home.com</=
A>]
 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)
           &nb=
sp; 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"
           &nb=
sp; 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)
           &nb=
sp;           &nb=
sp;   Routing panel
           &nb=
sp;           &nb=
sp;   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 <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.

Plug-discuss mailing list  -  =
Plug-discuss@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us
 <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>


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