About PenyuLAN

Penyu Radius is a special unit under Millennium Radius Sdn Bhd (“MR”) which has been setup, organized and operated in Dungun, Terengganu, MALAYSIA since January 2010.

PenyuLAN is a free software to monitor computers in a local area network. PenyuLAN is most suitable for internet café monitoring system. However, the features are also useful for school computer labs for monitoring purpose.

PenyuLAN can be used on local area network (LAN) whereby it will connect to the client PCs through the IP using designated port number.

PenyuLAN can perform the following remote control and monitoring on client PCs:-

1. Lock and unlock screen
2. Logoff
3. Restart
4. Shutdown
5. Send warning message
6. Capture screen
7. Check running program

Screenshot

Additional features which are suitable for internet cafe operations are:-

1. Record time and amount of usage for each PC
2. Currency is based on computer regional setting
3. To record food and beverage and other services
4. User account control
5. Comprehensive management report

PenyuLAN comes in three (3) editions which are Ganu Edition, Keropok Edition and Ikang Edition. The only difference between these editions is on the number of computers it can monitor.

As to date, PenyuLAN software is totally free without any limitation on number of use or any advertisement or nagging screen. For Keropok and Ikang Editions, you need to register to activate the software and registration is free.

With Penyu Radius software, internet cafe operators can now automate their business operation with free cyber cafe software. PenyuLAN is a cyber cafe software which is easy to use. PenyuLAN cyber cafe software will update PC monitoring usage for every second. This will allow the administrator to monitor PC usage with most updated information.

They are  also offer software customization to suit your special needs. PenyuLAN is not only suitable for internet cafe but also useful for schools or colleges computer lab. You will find it easier to monitor every computers in your computer lab.

Make sure you get the latest version of PenyuLAN software to ensure your cyber cafe operates with the latest version. They are gradually fix any problem with PenyuLAN cyber cafe software. Improvement and enhancement has been continuously performed to ensure their users get the best performance out of the free cyber cafe software.

You can download PenyuLAN from here : Download Site

Millennium Radius
(Dungun Branch)
No 4, Jalan Pak Sabah
23000 Dungun, Terengganu
MALAYSIA
Tel: 609-8444 277
Fax: 609-8445 277
Email: penyu@penyuradius.com
URL: http://www.penyuradius.com

This great software inherit many features from CCL with many enhancement, as you knows CCL is one of our best billing and point of sales system we ever use.

Mkahawa is a swahili word for Cafe. Mkahawa builds on the small but fast Cafe Con Leche (CCL) – the light, but ultra-fast C++ Internet Cafe Management Software for Linux and Windows. This is but a continuation of CCL development in just another form.

About Mkahawa

Mkahawa is an open-source project that builds on Cafe Con Leche or CCL – the nifty, cross-platform Internet Cafe billing and Management Software started by Bruno Deferrari. It extends CCL’s traditional cross-platform nature, simplicity, lightness and speed with major additional features.

Mkahawa project also aims to provide up-to-date binary installers for the different Linux distros and Windows versions. This website has add-ons and non-Linux installers. Free source and some binaries can be found at sourceforge.net .

FIFA World Cup Edition is NOT an admission that the Mkahawa Team will be spending a whole month watching the largest, most entertaining and prestigious soccer contest in the World.

Features

• Staff Access Management (Login & Logout)
• Choice of post-paid and prepaid billing
• Stronger membership management
• Tickets printing and management
• Speed-buttons for simple usage
• Installers for Ubuntu, Zencafe(Zenwalk) and Windows
• Automatic charging for print-outs
• Multi-language capability
• Client updates from the server
• Session Management ( Feature Requests)
• Session Start, Stop, Pause
• Timeout Settings Timer
• Client Seat/Session Swapping
• Count Up/Down Timer
• Configurable Blocker Image
• Post-paid / Prepaid modes
• Server Functionality ( Feature Requests)
• View Client status in real time
• View Client status in colored icons
• View Instant Status list
• Session Cost Cashing & Discounts
• Products Sale & Reports
• Versatile Tariff Configuration
• Membership Management
• Multi-level Staff Access Control
• View Session and Sales Logs
• Generate Session and Sales Reports
• Generate and Print Tickets
• Client Computer Control
• Shutdown and Reboot
• Temporary Blank Screen
• Client Update from Server
• Client Upgrade Capability

Mkahawa 0.0.3

This is the latest version released on 13th March, 2010. You can download it from here

• Options for post-paid and prepaid billing
• Options for rounding off price to .00, .05, .10 and .50
• Support for non-alphabet scripts eg Chinese, Indian, Russian, Korean
• Tickets: Printing and general management
• Improved looks – Graphical buttons

It IS a recognition that Mkahawa is used all over the world, and is an expression of our solidarity with FIFA’s core values of authenticity, unity, performance and integrity.

Mkahawa Downloads

These are the latest files for the open-source Mkahawa Internet Cafe management software. Pick older files from here

Requirement

Mkahawa Server and Client supports the following operating system:

• Linux operating system especially Ubuntu Linux
• Windows XP (you need to buy to obtain mkahawa windows client and server via paypal)

Recomended

Although we are still running a test to this software on our DRBL server and client but we are highly recomending Mkahawa for cyber cafe owners who was running CCL before this.

More info about mkahawa:

Website : http://mkahawa.sourceforge.net

Project and Download site : http://www.sourceforge.net/projects/mkahawa

CafePilot supports connections over the Internet so Internet cafe businesses with multiple branches can use a centralized server. This will allow customers to roam between branches with generated pre-paid tickets.

Best of all, CafePilot is free and open source! [http://sourceforge.net/projects/cafepilot/]

CafePilot Service Request Monitor (SRM) allows a Cafe manager to see, in real-time, requests for attention by customers and the status of those requests. An attendant can also monitor the SRM to see what refreshments/products customers are ordering. Best of all, there is no limit to the number of SRMs that can run on your network and SRM license comes free with CafePilot.

General Feature List

• Cross-platform (Windows and Linux)
• SQL database, no OLE MS Jet Engine problems
• Comprehensive log page
• Easily export accounts to a comma delimited flat file for easy integration with other systems
• Choice of creating Barcode tickets that allow customer to scan instead of typing login information
• CafePilot closes all specified application (including browser) windows when customer logs out

Billing

• Prepaid billing with customizable tickets e.g. add company name and logo
• Barcode tickets.
• Create and print accounts in bulk.
• Create accounts with custom username and password
• Expiring accounts, based on a calendar date or specific duration after first logon
• Limit ticket validity to particular time periods based on group
• Customizable low time warning
• Per-second billing
• Re-usable tickets
• Create different account types and set diffrent rates for each e.g. “night-time” tickets, “2Hr” tickets etc
• Easily edit accounts. Change credit, expiration and delete accounts

Security

• Definable range of allowed IP addresses on the server so no foreign CafePilot client connects to your server.
• Customizable staff permissions e.g. allow a staff to create accounts while denying him the right to delete or edit them.
• CafePilot Client lets you run your workstations on Guest account so as to prevent customers from tampering with your workstations.

Reports

• Automatically get Internet cafe activity reports by email daily or weekly (as customized). CafePilot will send diffrent reports to different email addresses as specified
• View activity reports for both administrative functions (account creation, editing etc) as well as workstation usage
• View reports on service request and product purchases
• Export reports to a variety of formats including PDF, HTML and XML

Product Server/Service Request Monitor

• Install as many Service request monitors as you want
• Give your customers the convinience of requesting attention or ordering products, refreshments and services right from their workstations
• Get a report of ordered products and services, including whether they were fulfilled or cancelled

License

• Free!

source : http://www.cafepilot.com/

From my experiences running a cyber cafe business and provides certain solution to the others cyber cafe owners, Ubuntu Linux 10.04 or the previous version of it, is the perfect choice to be the server and the client operating system for cyber cafe purpose.

It has everything except POINT OF SALES software, dont believe on me? try to click ubuntu main menu > Ubuntu Software Center > Search for cyber cafe and you’ll get nothing except blank white page. But try search for point of sale and you will get “lemon point of sale” but this software wasn’t meant for cyber cafe purpose, it was created for general such as restaurant or book store.

One thing until now what Open Source Operating System such as Ubuntu or perhaps I should say Canonical still couldn’t beat Microsoft is the supports from game developer, but currently i heard that Steam is coming to Linux, until now we still need to using wine and other emulators to play warcraft III, counter strike and so on.

For me, that is why the progress in running gaming center or cyber cafe business based on open source software was far too slow and just few small company had put their interest to develop a billing system or pos system for linux operating system but still their software lacks many of important features, I didn’t say I am condemns their software, for me it’s a good effort for them and us, but we are still waiting for the perfect point of sales for open source cyber cafe.

Others POS system such as OpenbravoERP, OpenbravoPOS, OpenERP are good software makers but still the softwares wasn’t meant for cyber cafe, internet cafe or gaming center.

Why is this happen? I don’t know, or maybe they think that running cyber cafe and gaming center business using an open source product couldn’t help the progress to expanding the influences. Instead of that, still some of others contributor was willing to spend their time, money and privacy to creating POS system such as ccl, mkahawa, gbilling and others, but still to software need more support on their development. Ubuntu or Canonical should supporting them in their software development(cyber cafe billing system).

So if you asked me what is the perfect POS system for open source cyber cafe should it looks like? If you look to the Cafesuite.net features then we might get some point how it should be. And if we takes their features to suggest what kind of billing system we really need for cyber cafe cafe then it’s could be just like below:

Security

It should provides many levels of security, ensuring that your business is always under control.

Workstation lock

Unused workstations can be securely locked so that no one can use them without proper authorization from the operator.

Operator profiles

You can create many profiles for your employees with different access rights. Not every one should be able to change crucial options or pricing schemes.

Encrypted data files

All databases used by CafeSuite are encrypted which ensures they can’t be tampered with by unouthorized individuals.

Backups

It’s possible to create backups of data files automatically evey given period of time. Your data will be secure even when your system crashes.

Ease of use

The user interface is clean and feels very natural even to begginers. The integrated help system will guide you in case of any problems.

Customer accounts

It’s should makes it really easy to manage large database of customer accounts. You can create different types of accounts for your customers — time accounts, cash accounts, debt accounts and unlimited accounts. You can assign beneficial charging rates to customer accounts to reward devoted customers.

Customers will be able to log on by themselves using their account ID and password. It’s also possible to create smart, magnetic or barcode cards for your customers, so that a simple scan of their card will log them on.

Reservations

It should provides unique graphical workstation reservation system. Simply select a time period on the workstation chart to create the reservation.

In case of a very big traffic, you’ll appreciate the Waiting queue function, allowing you to manage the waiting list.

Reports and statistics

The software provides you with a range of reports and statistics summarizing your business performance. Starting with very general reports, you can even get a list of all operations performed by your employees minute by minute.

Flexible charging rates

Real strength of the software lies in the flexible charging rates system. You can configure many schemes of pricing, including periodical discounts.

You can assign different charging rates to computer groups, beneficial pricing can be used with customer accounts. You can even create traffic discounts that adjust prices depending on the number of free computers in your cafe.

Support for external devices

You can use barcode scanner, magnetic card or smartcard reader to logon users with accounts and sell products. the software also supports receipt printers for printing receipts and account tickets.

Integration with Printer

The software integrates with Printer allowing you to keep control over your printers. Once a customer prints some pages, the software will notify the operator about that and calculate the charge automatically.

For your information, I’ve waiting the Cafesuite for linux, they said to running the software on linux since 2006 but until now there is nothing at all.

For me I would like to add some features to the above, it should supports diskless terminal client, for now I’ve tested CCL to be able to lock down diskless client. I think I should makes an article or tutorial about it.

cyber cafe

Every conventional internet cafe has its’ own and different requirement, but this is the basic requirement for every OSS Cyber Cafes.

This is the most basic requirement for an OSS Cyber Cafe requirement as a reference. However, to build up and OSS Gaming Center is a different special requirement from the basic OSS Cyber Cafe. And the best way to market the OSS technology and to show up the capabilities of OSS is by promoting the LTSP as the premium Cyber Cafe Operating System.

Hardware needed

1. 10 to 20 x Client PCs
2. 1 x PC to control Clients a.k.a Server
3. 1 x 24 ports Switch
4. 1 x Modem with built-in Router because it is easier to have modem with built-in router (broadband modem).
5. 1 x Printer – any brand
6. 1 x Scanner – any brand
7. 20 x USB extender (If only the USB ports are in the back)
8. A small casing could be the best as LTS Client System Box.

Stand Alone Client PCs x 10 to 20 units
Minimum specification to run internet applications, office applications and games. It is important to have the same specification on all the clients system to minimum maintenance job.

1. Processor – at least Pentium 4
2. 40GB Hard Disk Drive
3. 256MB RAM Memory
4. Monitor – 15″ or 17″ or 21″!
5. Motherboard – Good brand with Integrated sound and VGA but separated AGP card is the best!
6. Keyboard & Mouse – Any good brand keyboard and mouse with scroll.
7. Speaker or Headphone with Microphone
8. 100Mbps Network Card
9. CDRW Drive (optional)
10. Web Cam (optional)

Server PC x 1 units
Not so important, at least can run cyber cafe management software is good enough. But more number of clients means higher specification needed.

1. Processor – at least Pentium 4
2. 20 – 40GB Hard Disk Drive
3. 256MB RAM Memory
4. Monitor – 15″ or LCD Monitor
5. Motherboard – Good brand with Integrated sound and VGA
6. Keyboard & Mouse – Any good brand keyboard and mouse with scroll.
7. 100Mbps Network Card
9. CDRW or DVDRW Drive (optional)
10. Web Cam (optional)

LTSP Client Workstation Unit

Minimum specification to run cyber cafe or internet cafe using all over Open Source Software for internet applications, office applications and games. For a better maintenance it is important to have the same specification on all the clients system to minimum maintenance job.

1. Processor – at least Pentium 4
2. With or without hard disk (minimun 20GB Hard Disk Drive)
3. 256MB RAM Memory
4. Monitor – 15″ or 17″ or 21″!
5. Built in Motherboard – Good is better but cheap brand with Integrated sound and VGA but separated AGP card would be nice.
6. Keyboard & Mouse – Any good brand keyboard and mouse with scroll.
7. Speaker or Headphone with Microphone
8. 100Mbps Network Card
9. CDRW Drive (optional)
10. Web Cam (optional)

Softwares in Clients
Most needed application by customers. It is important to have the same applications on all the clients system to minimum maintenance job.

1. Operating System – Kubuntu or OpenSuSe
2. Office Suite – OpenOffice.org Koffice
3. Browser – Konqueror, FireFox or Mozilla
4. Adobe Reader
5. File Compressor
6. Real Player – Xine, Totem
7. Media Player – XMMS, GXine, Kaffeine and Amarok
8. Messenger – Kopete, Gaim, Skype
9. Anti Virus – (Optional)
10. CD Burning Utility – K3b (optional)

Softwares in Server
Preferably the same with clients, because it is easier to troubleshoot problem if something happen.

1. Operating System – Recommended to use Kubuntu/Ubuntu or OpenSuSE
2. Office Suite – Ms Office or OpenOffice.org
3. Browser – Konqueror, FireFox or Mozilla
4. Adobe Reader
5. File Compressor – Ark
6. QuickTime
7. Media Player – XMMS, GXine, Kaffeine and Amarok
8. Messenger – Kopete, Gaim, Skype
10. CD Burning Utility – K3b (optional)
11. Internet Cafe Management Software – CCL

Games to Choose
If you run Window Client, these are the most wanted games in the Internet Cafe or Gaming Center.

1. Half-Life, Half-Life2
2. Conter Strike
3. Need For Speed Underground 1 & 2
4. Warcraft 3
5. Doom 3
6. Everquest2
7. Galaxy LightSpeed
8. Halo for PC
9. Star Wars Galaxies
10. Battlefield 1942
11. Secret Weapons and Vietnam
12. Rise of Nations
13. Home World 2
14. Solider of Fortune
15. City of Heroes
16. Final Fantasy XI
17. Command and Conquer
18. Midtown Madness 1 & 2
19. Bass Fishing
20. House of the Dead 1 & 2