Followed up from Laying the Groundwork for a rural cyber
I've finally got around to writing this. Thanks for you all who patiently waited.
Although I approached the project as an "internet consultant", I soon realised I would need to implement the whole spectrum of tasks required to get the cyber running. I spent almost a week laying the structured cabling, installing the software, and configuring the network. Most of the work I was doing for the first time (e.g. drilling holes in concrete to fix the trunking screws) and most of it was hard, but all of it was enjoyable. I needed to prove the project was implementable with minimal human resources (if it was going to work elsewhere). With an eye on both troubleshooting by the owner and future projects I prepared detailed How To manuals for most of the tasks.
So the day finally arrived, November 17th I connected all the PCs to the internet. The results were incredible, the speeds were nearly as good as my 256K broadband connection in Nairobi. I tested each PC individually and was happy to see similar results. The PCs are Pentium III (666 Mhz ) Compaqs with 128K memory, purchased refurbished for about KSh. 12,500 ($178.50) and running Windows XP.
The real test though would be to see how the Internet would behave in "live" conditions, with actual customers paying for the service. I didn't have to wait long, the next day the cyber was open to the public and soon a trickle of customers came inquiring. I advised the owner to initially charge KShs. 3.00 per minute ($ 2.57/hr) and gauge the response. Not surprisingly the customers complained that the charges were high, but the amazing thing is that once they got online they were delighted by the speeds which they said were fast. At one point there were five people browsing and worried that the speeds might suffer I went around the cyber and did a spot check. I was relieved to see however that the technology held up and all the customers were browsing without a problem.
The first day was over, the cyber had passed the test, internet had reached the village. What followed thereafter was an enlightment as inquiries and comments from customers, curious onlookers and suppliers made me realise that there was potential for a lot more opportunities. Read about these insights in my next post.
I've finally got around to writing this. Thanks for you all who patiently waited.
Although I approached the project as an "internet consultant", I soon realised I would need to implement the whole spectrum of tasks required to get the cyber running. I spent almost a week laying the structured cabling, installing the software, and configuring the network. Most of the work I was doing for the first time (e.g. drilling holes in concrete to fix the trunking screws) and most of it was hard, but all of it was enjoyable. I needed to prove the project was implementable with minimal human resources (if it was going to work elsewhere). With an eye on both troubleshooting by the owner and future projects I prepared detailed How To manuals for most of the tasks.
So the day finally arrived, November 17th I connected all the PCs to the internet. The results were incredible, the speeds were nearly as good as my 256K broadband connection in Nairobi. I tested each PC individually and was happy to see similar results. The PCs are Pentium III (666 Mhz ) Compaqs with 128K memory, purchased refurbished for about KSh. 12,500 ($178.50) and running Windows XP.
The real test though would be to see how the Internet would behave in "live" conditions, with actual customers paying for the service. I didn't have to wait long, the next day the cyber was open to the public and soon a trickle of customers came inquiring. I advised the owner to initially charge KShs. 3.00 per minute ($ 2.57/hr) and gauge the response. Not surprisingly the customers complained that the charges were high, but the amazing thing is that once they got online they were delighted by the speeds which they said were fast. At one point there were five people browsing and worried that the speeds might suffer I went around the cyber and did a spot check. I was relieved to see however that the technology held up and all the customers were browsing without a problem.
The first day was over, the cyber had passed the test, internet had reached the village. What followed thereafter was an enlightment as inquiries and comments from customers, curious onlookers and suppliers made me realise that there was potential for a lot more opportunities. Read about these insights in my next post.
Comments
This sounds like a great experience. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing your hardwork pay off. I commend you for bring internet to the village.
Should you please visit our home-page at
http://www.stechsoft.blogspot.com
If interested, let me know through the email alok_prn2003@rediffmail.com
thanks
I am interested in starting a cyber cafe.
If you are buying for a school, there is a firm that calls itself Baobab Communications that sells refurbished computers at a discounted rate. Unfortunately I do not have the contact details for Baobab at this time.
cyber café business in Kenya is booming. ... Question, is the installed program working ok? 4 your cyber?. Erick was right The Pentium III (666 MHz) with 128K memory, will be slow running win xp After awhile. But Linux is perfect for those, windows 2000 or 98 are good as well.
Is your program Genuine? This are some of the things your need to consider while setting up a cyber.
I'd like to introduce Zenwalk Linux software its easy to use and user friendly for cyber(internet) cafe' because it has timer embedded on it.(Zencafe) .email: rapho@linuxmail.org for more.
I Also give out Ubuntu disk for free just contact me on the above mail and we are home and dry.
Recently, more and more enterprises and public institutions in Kenya move not only the servers but also the desktops to Linux.
About refurbish in Kenya ..There are this Guys who are genuine by there products Called CYBER KIDS they recently moved to Gilfillan House along Kenyatta ave. next to I & M, they have good price call the manager on 0202046858 .
cyber café business in Kenya is booming. Question, is the installed program working ok? 4 your cyber?. Erick was right The Pentium III (666 Mhz ) with 128K memory, will be slow running win xp After awhile. But Linux is perfect for those , windows 2000 or 98 are good as well .
Is your program Genuine? This are some of the things your need to consider while setting up a cyber.
I'd like to introduce Zencafé from Zenwalk Linux software its easy to use and user friendly for cyber(internet) cafe' .email rapho@linuxmail.org for more.
I Also give out Ubuntu disk for free just contact me on the above mail and were home and dry.
Recently, more and more enterprises and public institutions in Kenya move not only the servers but also the desktops to Linux.
About refurbish in Kenya ..There are this Guys who are genuine by there products Called CYBER KIDS they recently moved to Gilfillan House along Kenyatta ave. next to I & m, they have good price call the manager on 0202046858 .
0202383954
anyone with this suse linux tips???
Please write to me at breengomez@gmail.com
I work for a VoIP company in the US and we provide great call shop/cyber cafe VoIP solutions in Africa.
If you're interested please email me at Ads@talkfree.com or check out our website - http://www.talkfree.com
I am writing a master thesis on cyber cafe software and i would really like to get some insights from you. Please get in touch if you are interested.Thanks
Karanja
Who is using the cyber cafes in Kenya? I work for a religious internet site and I exchange email with many Kenyans who are using internet. Largely I give advice regarding family relationships. In order to assist the people I hear from, it would be helpful to know if the people e-mailing are largely urban or rural farmers. Are they largely comparatively middle-class?
Any info or opinions would be helpful.
Brandiatanaka@hotmail.com
thank you.
I am trying to set up an Internet Cafe in rural Nicaragua and your experiences may provide some valuable insight into my project. Please let me know if you can help out in any way (advice or business plan pointers).
reach me at:
daniel.halper2@gmail.com
Watch a short movie clip that explains my idea, its FREE to start! Visit http//website.ws/thewarrior to watch it, then sign up on the same site to get started FREE right away!
PS: It doesnt matter if you have a website already.
I will forward you the proposal. Thanks
i am an enterpreneur who want to set up a cyber with about 10 computers. can you help me get the mathematics of what i will require for the start up. everything please
Reach me on ashupretty@gmail.com
i can be reached via address:jobmwas@yahoo.com
I buy and sell computers and hence can I also offer the budgeting aspect of a cyber including the list of all the requirement..... for more details you can reach me on gikabiag@yahoo.com
I buy and sell computers and hence can I also offer the budgeting aspect of a cyber including the list of all the requirement..... for more details you can reach me on gikabiag@yahoo.com