Internet Cafes at Hostels

[Hostels]

Some questions about Internet access at hostels:

1. Do you have guest Internet access computers at your hostel?
2. How many computers do you have?
3. What is the capacity of the hostel(s)?
4. How much does your hostel charge for Internet access?
5. What software do you use for timing/billing?

If you only have time for one question, the last one on the list is the most important. I'm looking to compile a list of Internet cafe POS software.

Thanks

[Plakian]

1. Yes
2. 1 with an additional laptop when busy.
3. 60 beds
4. 60 Euro cents per 12 minutes.
5. Locknet available from uli@yhplakias.com.

[Scotch Argus]

1. yes
2. 1 PC and free wifi
3. 54 beds
4. £1 for 35 mins 50p for 15 mins
5. I'm bought a coin mechanism from a company in Canada called weavefuture. They have software that integrates with the coin-mech to lock the PC. I have adapted the web browser Opera to operate in it's kiosk mode and lock the users out of any harmful actions. It works pretty well.

My main goal was to have a system that does not need management from the front desk, which is not staffed 24/7. I've also set up a voucher based system using sitekiosk. This means that customers have to come to the desk to buy a voucher, but the desk staff does not have to enable the PC, it just sits there until someone puts a code in. It's quite a good solution, although the software is a bit expensive, about €260 I think. I'm currently using the coin operated one rather than this.

[seematt]

I use Antamedia's Internet Caffe software. cheap and good. I sell codes for:
15 min - $1
30 min - $2
60 min - $3
120 min - $5

It pays the cable bill. For private rooms Wi-fi or one hour on my computers is free. Dorm guests pay $3 for all you can use ecrypted wi-fi. I wouldn't mind trying Antamedia's hot spot wi-fi billing software, but my system works for now.

I used to have free net access, but kids would sit there for hours playing games. So 5 years ago I sat down with guests and came up with the above pricing scheme which everyone agreed was reasonable. I have the only net cafe in town besides the library so I have non-guests using it too.