Internet cafe?

[Strong in Him]

Hi,

Does anyone have any idea of how I could find out about/look into setting up an internet cafe on our church premises?

Obviously we'd need several computers/laptops, and probably various licences too. But would there be a way to ban people from viewing certain sites - i.e porn/gambling? And doing things like downloading music - if it were illegal?

This might be a long shot, but any help anyone could give would be great.

Thanks very much

 

[faithseeker]

1 internet connexion, a machine acting as a a router and/or proxy and other machines in a local network are all you need.

Making all the machine runs with a linux distribution will let you run things without having to pay any licences (plus it works really well).

I do not know how to blocks site, i think it s better to let people be responsible, but i bet you may bloc some sites with squid if you use it as a proxy.

You may also (i guess) block download file by extension....But it would be a shame to do so, as some mp3 are legally downloadable.

 

[pgp_protector]

Your Linux Server can act as a white/black list to control where the people visit.

The computers should all have the following
1) No USB Access (This prevents copying files)
2) No CD/DVD Burner (prevents copying Files)
3) Boot to Linux, Auto Start Firefox (Take a look as only having a Browser being allowed to run like a dummy terminal)
4) Passable have a printer set up (remember to add the cost of Ink & Paper to your budget)

The above setup will discourage the downloading of files (as there's no way to transfer them off the system), control access to undesired sites, protect from viruses.

You may also want to add freeware Bible software like E-Sword or Equivalent.

What is your goal with setting this up ?

(If you don't want to use Linux , take a look into Vista with the parental Controls)

 

[Strong in Him]

Thank you both for your help.

I probably should have explained that I'm not looking to set this up at the moment. At the very least it would have to go to our church council, and it sounds as though folk with a lot more computer knowledge than I have need to be involved. Basically, there is nothing in our town for young people - except for a couple of pubs. One of my tasks as layworker of our church is to get together with the other churches, and council if possible, to suggest some kind of youth provision/activity. It has been suggested a couple of times that we set up a cafe in our church. I was just wondering if there was any way we might be able to, if it happens, make it an internet cafe. This is hypothetical at the moment; just one of my ideas which I am trying to research before suggesting it officially.

So my goal would be; a provision for young people, somewhere for them to meet and hang out, that's organised by all the churches.

Thanks again.

 

[tel0004]

Yeah, it could be done, probably pretty cheap also, since you wouldn't need super fast computers if you are only running the internet, you could maybe even have people donate old computers. I agree with the others on running Linux, and having it automatically open Firefox (or IE). There might even be somebody in your church that could set it up. There are tons of programs designed to block porn sites, and other sites, some which are free, and I'm sure you could find one cheap. Keep in mind those filters will block out websites that are ok. What if somebody has breast cancer, and wants to research that?