Cybercaf

Surf the net with a double mint mocha decaf skim latté. That is the basic idea behind cybercafes. According to the cybercafe database (http://www.cybercaptive. com), 5,204 verified cybercafes, public Internet access points, and kiosks populate 153 countries. Do not be fooled. Behind the seemingly popular cyber-business lurks high ownership turnover. This is a tough business. Competition from Starbucks and upscale bookstores selling java coupled with free Internet access, commonly found in the public library, challenge urban cybercafe owners. In the face of rigorous alternatives, new cybercafes pop up around the world. Several months ago in Danbury (pop. 64,000) Cybercaf (196 Main Street) joined the fray.

The president of Cybercaf, Linda Beltramini, was profiled in the February 20, 1981 issue of The New York Times Business Day section: “She’s a New Kind of Financier.” Born to a Brazilian father, educated in Britain, France, and Switzerland (University of Geneva), Beltramini provides “the vision” for the enterprise. Her international background and Brazilian roots (she operated an Internet service provider there) drew her interest to the large Portuguese population living in Danbury. Recognizing the power of low cost telecommunication via the Internet, in addition to providing broadband IP packets and caffeine, Cybercaf will focus on cyber-conferencing. Plans include uniting a large Portuguese community (estimated at 400,000 in the New York to Hartford corridor) to friends and family overseas, Brazil being the favored location.

In My Experience

When someone enters Cybercaf, the five Hewlett-Packard Pavilion PCs (533 MHz PIII with 128 MB RAM), equipped with 19 inch monitors, Intel webcams, headsets, and speakers demonstrate the commitment to state-of-the art hardware. Networked and sharing a 1.5 mbps SDSL pipe from dsl.net, the systems provide snappy performance. As a simple test for responsiveness, I launched (opened) several Internet Explorer browser sessions, surfed to DotComGuy’s site, multi-tasked “Watch Live” (video feed), the chat room, and launched a private webcam session with a DotComGuy regular (id: LittleWoman) in North Carolina. All video worked.

However, some problems surfaced. There was no audio. In addition, attempts to use the webcam to connect to a server using Microsoft Net Meeting software resulted in no joy. Currently, the newly hired network/hardware specialist, Rolando, inherited a non-optimized system that requires skills lacking in previous so-called hardware experts. After speaking at length with Rolando (background: Portuguese/Italian with a master’s degree in computer science from Stanford University), I am optimistic the system will hum soon.

Ambitious Plans

Cybercaf will offer high speed (separate 1.5 mbps SDSL pipe) teleconferencing for family/ friends/business clients with private rooms, wide angle cameras, and quality audio. In addition, broadband access will be available for training, software courses, and low cost long distance international telephone connections. While some of the hardware has arrived, it was not connected. Therefore, it could not be demonstrated. Nevertheless, plans for floor space expansion of the current location are underway along with anticipated connections via CU-SeeMe™ software to cybercafes in Brazilian and other South American cities. Cybercaf has a sister operation in Brazil. This will serve as the first intercontinental link.

In the time-compressed world of high-tech/Internet, mistakes often result with punishing consequences. Cybercaf launched to a slow start. Not only do hardware improvements occur at a relentless, breathtaking pace, but the tasks of educating and engaging a computer-challenged segment of the population to the Internet presents a whole new set of obstacles. The future success hinges on flexible management deftly overcoming cyber-roadblocks. In a month, I will revisit Cybercaf to witness solutions and improvements. You will find an updated report on the Internet Info Web site. Stay tuned. Until then, stop in at Cybercaf, sip an espresso, and surf on a fast connection. Rolando assures me that everything will perform flawlessly soon.

URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) of interest:

http://www.cybercafworld.com

(This is the 222nd of a series of elementary articles designed for surfing the Internet. Next, “Thanks a Million” is the subject on tap. Stay Tuned. Until next week, happy travels through cyberspace. Previous issues of Internet Info for Real People can be found: http://www.thebee. com. Please e-mail comments and suggestions: rbrand@JUNO.com or editor@thebee.com.)