Free internet

I think Deepfreeze is only for Windows, but you could probably do a similar thing on Linux if you like to tinker. I think the command to image a drive is dd.

Check out Xubuntu if you haven't seen it already -- it's a lighter version of Ubuntu, good for older machines.

I think that's what the dd command can do. You setup your installation, and then clone with the dd command. Then deploy on multiple machines. You could even have a script reinstall your cloned drives regularly, though you probably wouldn't have to do it often. I think you could even reinstall the whole cafe at once over the network...

I first read about it in the book Knoppix Hacks:
http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596007874/index.html

You can read the book here online if you sign up for a 14-day free trial:
http://safari.ibmpressbooks.com/9780596514938/clone_hard_drives

It looks like there is some info here too:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=46849

My biggest question is how, if at all, people regulate the time people spend on it. If we only have one, or even 2 terminals, I can see a few people, especially kids, sitting on it all the time, therefore making it impossible for everyone to get a turn. Sort of defeats the goal of free access is people can't get to use it. I don't want it to become some task for reception either having to sort out disputes between people as to whose turn it is etc.

How did you sort out the paid access? Was it a prepaid password or a coin operator?

I'd recommend to give a temporary password for your guests, for like a 30 minutes or so. (I guess Plakian runs his machines similar way, so you may want to use their software ;) ) That would give enough time for them to check their mail and whatever info they need... (Good if there is a countdown reminder so the users will ensure to have enough time finishing their mails) If they need any extra time, they should get back to the reception to get an other password. This would ensure that people will get off from the PCs in order to get their new codes and if there is someone else waiting for the net and has the code in hand, they can use the PCs and the previous user will get to the end of the queue.

Also recommended to put a sign out informing your guests like: "In order to ensure that everyone will be able to use the FREE internet, we have a 30 minutes expiration time per user. Passwords could be received from the reception without any charges." Or something like that, to prevent dummies complaining about why they have to go to reception to acquire password to use the net hence it's free...

Good if you have a couch next to the computers to make the queue more comfortable while waiting.

The other issue is bandwidth - we have a slow (512k) connection here and even one person using video streaming will slow it down - if you had a couple and a laptop doing it then the web would slow to a crawl. Is there any method of limiting bandwidth to individual terminals? Maybe even a wireless router that has that facility.

I hope you are able to change provider... I'm saying 'cause we pay 40EUR for a 10Mb connection DSL. We used 512k 5 years ago and paid the same amount, so the service became cheaper and much faster. Although I've heard some weard stories about BT and other providers in the UK.

Some routers can be directed to restrict bandwidth which is allocated to ports or ip addresses. It is called "Quality of Service (QoS)" feature.

Also, what do people do with access to flash drives, cameras etc? Currently I have my terminal set to not allow plug in USB devices access for security reasons - all they can do is use the internet, not the file system. More and more people seem to need this facility for blogs, facebook etc.

I bought a multiple card reader which I built in the case. It reads all major standards, costs about 10EUR.
You can also use a software to hide your system files, and set up certain functions like no downloads, etc. I used 1st Security Agent for a trial, it was easy to handle and works well for XP.

I have number of all-in-one PCs here I was going to use - perhaps even put them in the rooms, although not certain if that's practical yet.

I would not really recommend that, even if you have the quietest keyboards, the thickest curtains on the front of the beds and even if you don't provide Skype access with headsets for free phone calls.

IMHO, socializing areas should be separate from resting areas. Not that people wouldn't socialize in dorms but rather let's give a chance to sleep for the people who want to.

They don't have windows licenses so I was going to install ubuntu on them - probably a better system for security anyway, and I notice there is a kiosk plugin for firefox.

Let me know how it goes, I'm planning to do the same on our PCs!
Just fed up re-installing every month! (Even if we have Norton Ghost though...)

i've installed standard ubuntu on one of the PCs, but I don't think it's detected the video card (integrated intel graphics) and it will only run at 800x600. I had to install in graphics safe mode - otherwise the screen became completely corrupted. I can't work out if it's still in safe mode - I've selected Gnome as the session on log-in. Anyway, I'm sure I'll get there. I doubt it's any harder than XP - I've had plenty of install problems with that. I had plenty of time back then though - I learnt what I know about XP before I had kids!