Free internet

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

I have a coin operated terminal I made - it uses a coin mechanism from a company called weavefuture. I mounted it in a desk and have installed the opera browser, it has a kiosk mode which is very adjustable. Weavefuture provide the coin timing software. Although there are security issues with having money in the terminal that isn't such a problem out here. I have also used a voucher system based on the software sitekiosk, by a German company called provisio. It is excellent software, although a little expensive. The real advantage of coin is that there doesn't have to someone at reception to sell a code - if someone wants to use it at 2am, then they can.

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.

I like those ideas - I guess I'd need some form of timing software to implement them. Sitekiosk would do this, although I wouldn't be prepared to pay the price for it if the web access was free. I'll have a look for cheaper timing software. I think for it to not become a complete hassle the kiosk needs to be somewhat limited. Even with the one I have which is limited, people still wreck it. If I allowed full access to the machine it'd last about 5 minutes with some of the kids who'd use it.

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.

Unfortunately due to our location (6km from exchange) and the fact that the only line provider is BT we are stuck with it. I can change ADSL providers, but the line is too noisy to get reliable access above 1mb/s - When connected it started at 2.5 Mb/s, but gradually dropped back to where it is now as the exchange software coped with the line noise. Thanks for the tip about QoS

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'll have a look into that - thanks.

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.

I agree in theory with that, but the sales of our dorm beds seem to decrease by the day. The majority of beds we've sold this year have been in private rooms - and we don't have a lot of them, we are set up with mainly dorms. For whatever reasons, people much prefer private rooms here - the traditional backpacker type are often on organised tours so don't come here, so our clientele are often people who might prefer a hotel etc. but want to save money by staying here and self catering. Unfortunately I can't see any way around this - we either move with the market, or lose many bookings. Therefore putting a terminal in the rooms wouldn't be a huge problem, as the chances are that in general all the occupants will know each other. In the case where there are mixed groups or individuals in dorms I don't think it's be a huge problem, but I guess the only way to see would be to try it.

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'll let you know if I get it going - I'm having a lot of problems getting ubuntu to recognise my video card (see post in computing forum) but hopefully I'll get around it. I was planning on going with Opera browser - but I'll have to see if I can get it going well in linux -I am new to the OS.

Whilst I can see potential difficulties with it, I think I need to give our hostel a selling point (we are 40 km from the nearest town) to make people choose us. It's a competitive market, and we need all the features we can get. Thanks again for your reply

Thanks for the info on opera - I'll give it a try.

Also I (finally) got the video problem working. I worked out that when I was installing Ubunutu it was trying to use the intel -experimental modesetting driver which was causing complete corruption of the display. I found a post on the ubuntu forums which mentioned the "gksudo displayconfig-gtk" command. I used this and a display settings box came up, and it said I was using the vesa compatible driver. I then selected the i810 driver , defined the monitor as a1024x768 LCD, rebooted, adn everything worked fine.

Just thought I'd mention it in case anyone else has any similar problem. That terminal command was the key for me

The real advantage of coin is that there doesn't have to someone at reception to sell a code - if someone wants to use it at 2am, then they can.

I guess there won't be queue at 2am though. Maybe it would be possible to release all terminal limits when your receptionist goes to bed?
If there is a software which handles that as well...

I like those ideas - I guess I'd need some form of timing software to implement them. Sitekiosk would do this, although I wouldn't be prepared to pay the price for it if the web access was free. I'll have a look for cheaper timing software. I think for it to not become a complete hassle the kiosk needs to be somewhat limited. Even with the one I have which is limited, people still wreck it. If I allowed full access to the machine it'd last about 5 minutes with some of the kids who'd use it.

Windows limitation is a piece of crap. The one I mentioned before can get deeper into system registry and set extra functions. Otherwise there is virtual machine but you need a physical drive to assign for storing photos so people won't lose them when they log out.

Unfortunately due to our location (6km from exchange) and the fact that the only line provider is BT we are stuck with it. I can change ADSL providers, but the line is too noisy to get reliable access above 1mb/s - When connected it started at 2.5 Mb/s, but gradually dropped back to where it is now as the exchange software coped with the line noise.

So I guess the satellite dish would suit for you as well. The question now, is there any providers for that? :confused:

I agree in theory with that, but the sales of our dorm beds seem to decrease by the day. The majority of beds we've sold this year have been in private rooms - and we don't have a lot of them, we are set up with mainly dorms.

For whatever reasons, people much prefer private rooms here - the traditional backpacker type are often on organised tours so don't come here, so our clientele are often people who might prefer a hotel etc. but want to save money by staying here and self catering. Unfortunately I can't see any way around this - we either move with the market, or lose many bookings.

That could be a sloppy step, so just slowly but surely. As you have less privates, you don't know exactly how many rooms would you be able to sell. Also you can make more money with dorms. Finally you are a backpacker hostel, not a B&B. We just need to figure out some marketing tips for you. PM in progress. ;)

Therefore putting a terminal in the rooms wouldn't be a huge problem, as the chances are that in general all the occupants will know each other. In the case where there are mixed groups or individuals in dorms I don't think it's be a huge problem, but I guess the only way to see would be to try it.

Or just poll your guests first! ;) also would you take the risk of the low bandwidth later with PCs in every room? IMHO it would be annoying slow.

Whilst I can see potential difficulties with it, I think I need to give our hostel a selling point (we are 40 km from the nearest town) to make people choose us. It's a competitive market, and we need all the features we can get. Thanks again for your reply

No probs! I had a post few months ago mentioning those "dalek" flashpackers prefer cities with airports instead of going out backpacking a lil bit... do you think that's the problem? The cheap pound wouldn't indicate the less tourists... However, I always wanted to visit Scotland, especially Loch Ness! :)

the sales of our dorm beds seem to decrease by the day. The majority of beds we've sold this year have been in private rooms - and we don't have a lot of them, we are set up with mainly dorms. For whatever reasons, people much prefer private rooms here - the traditional backpacker type are often on organised tours so don't come here, so our clientele are often people who might prefer a hotel etc. but want to save money by staying here and self catering. Unfortunately I can't see any way around this - we either move with the market, or lose many bookings.

Private rooms and en-suite are all very well and very nice, but I just dont want to pay £25+ per night for unnecessary luxury. At B&B prices, a budget for a 2-week holiday would be horrifying. If hostels charge similarly, they are no advantage although the availability of a kitchen is a benefit. When we travelled as a couple in Ireland, we did stay in private rooms in hostels because the cost averaged about £18pp.