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1.  

   Ok, so...

   

   Joe Schmoe, Nov 13th, 2002 @ 10:29pm

   
   

   Ok, I'm not a coffee drinker, so I have relatively no clue what can be purchased in these so called coffee shops, except of course coffee. But I am a coder, so I must ask, do these shops sell soda, munchies, and whatnot that we have a reputation for imbibing? Would a broader selection of munchies that we'd want to buy address this single cup situation?

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2.  

   cyber cafes don't work anyway?

   

   dorpus, Nov 14th, 2002 @ 12:30am

   
   

   I live in Silicon Valley, and cyber cafes aren't very popular here. There are one or two I pass by in my town, but I've never seen more than about one customer in them. People here live surrounded by computers at home and work, so going out means getting away from them. As a possible exception, I've heard reports of pearl-tea shops that are hangouts for Asian ethnics, but they go more for the pearl tea and Asian camaraderie than surfing the web.
   
   It seems to me cyber cafes are more popular in areas where home computers are not widely available, or the computer literacy rate is low. Places like New York City or Moscow has shitloads of them to cater to the Macintosh/"I've never used email before" crowd.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

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3.  

   Re: cyber cafes don't work anyway?

   

   Mike (profile), Nov 14th, 2002 @ 12:33am

   
   

   There are some cybercafes, but that's not what we're talking about. We're talking about regular coffee shops that happen to provide internet access as well, to draw in more customers... And, there are a bunch of those all over Silicon Valley.

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4.  

   Re: cyber cafes don't work anyway?

   

   dorpus, Nov 14th, 2002 @ 12:48am

   
   

   Well, maybe it's just my lifestyle but the coffee shops I've been to have people who go in and out quickly. If anyone is going to loiter for internet access there, it's probably teenagers or college kids who the shops don't really want anyway.
   
   I wonder if there isn't a market for the reverse business model -- shops that jam radio signals so the cell-phoners and laptoppers can be kept away.
   
   
   
   

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5.  

   Re: cyber cafes don't work anyway?

   

   Mike (profile), Nov 14th, 2002 @ 1:10am

   
   

   Actually, I've found that, occasionally, it's a nice change of scenery to park myself in a coffee shop and work from there. I've certainly seen other folks there who were clearly not teenagers or college kids. I'm not saying it's for everyone, but there does seem to be a group of people who do like using it.
   
   I also find it useful when I'm travelling (when I can find a place that has WiFi). I know other business travellers do the same thing as well. Knowing that we can turn a Starbucks into a temporary office for an hour or two is a huge benefit.

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6.  

   Re: cyber cafes don't work anyway?

   

   outandin, Nov 14th, 2002 @ 1:49am

   
   

   I'd love to be able to take my Macintosh to somewhere where I could get a good cup of coffee and be out of the office for a while but still be connected. Of course, the good cup of coffee requirement rule sout Starbucks straight away.

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7.  

   Re: cyber cafes don't work anyway?

   

   The Misanthrope, Nov 14th, 2002 @ 7:51am

   
   

   
   "People here live surrounded by computers at home and work, so going out means getting away from them."
   Then explain the popularity - perhaps epidemic - of the cell phone?
   

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8.  

   Re: cyber cafes don't work anyway?

   

   dorpus, Nov 14th, 2002 @ 10:53am

   
   

   Cell phones are not the same thing. People want to get away from being hunched over a PC.
   
   

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9.  

   Re: cyber cafes don't work anyway?

   

   tjcali, Nov 14th, 2002 @ 12:25pm

   
   

   Cell phones are popular for talking and sometimes sms messages not surfing the net.
   
   The majority (mass market) doesn't have a clue what wifi is and what it can do for them yet alone try to figure how to go about using it. If their device does not say "you've got mail" or "search" in a simple way, noone understands yet alone cares to.

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10.  

    Re: cyber cafes don't work anyway?

    

    none, Dec 8th, 2003 @ 10:28pm

    
    

    Mac users are not generally dumbshits who don't know how to email. I would go out on a limb and say there are generally more PC users who don't know to turn their computers on based on the fact that PC's are about 90% of the market.

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11.  

    Re: cyber cafes don't work anyway?

    

    Jack Schaefer, Mar 26th, 2004 @ 8:00am

    
    

    If you live close to a starbucks and want to extend your own hotspot to the location you should get a YachtSpot unit. Set up a hotspot, charge half as much as starbucks and pay your rent with it :)
    
    Create a Hot Spot - Now 802.11 a/b/g (4 left at this price - NEW)
    
    Extend the range of your Internet. Want to use your connection up to 1 mile from your home? Share or sell your Internet connection to your neighbors? This YachtSpot is the affordable high performance solution.
    
    The YachtSpot wifi system is a complete solution for providing wireless Internet access to your back yard, coffee shop, pool, garden, Marina, basement, wharehouse, Boat Show, office building, neighborhood and virtually anywhere you want to provide wireless internet access. YachtSpot has a fully accessable weather proof case with carrying handel that can be mouted anywhere a wifi signal is needed.
    
    Just plug it into your cable/dsl modem, mount it in a tactical location and wireless Internet is available to everyone. Very simple. YachtSpot can also be used as a paid subscriber solution[extra software and dedicated laptop required] and for event interested in providing a paid access solution to exhibitors who need Internet access. Performs Excellent at 500 meters allowing up to 250 users. YachtSpot repeaters are also available and may be suggested pending on area coverage needed. Repeaters help gurantee an excellent signal where it's needed most. Must have a high speed Internet connection: Cable or DSL
    
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    This unit is used in homes, apartment buildings, offices, outdoor yards, neighborhoods, connecting 2 locations together, sharing internet connections, marinas, yacht clubs, parks, trade shows etc. More information: http://www.yachtspot.net

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12.  

    Re: cyber cafes don't work anyway?

    

    guest, Aug 11th, 2004 @ 11:15pm

    
    

    sounds interesting, but hesitated:

    http://powerandmotoryacht.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=238&postid=1768

    Your PayPal account doesn't seem to work properly to receive payment at all...

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13.  

    Re: cyber cafes don't work anyway?

    

    Anonymous Coward, Oct 15th, 2004 @ 1:04pm

    
    

    YachtSpot is being sold on eBay and at Trade Shows.
    The Powerboat thread is a bunch of BS, YachtSpots are up and running at over 50 large hotspots throughout the USA. Due to Internet scamsand payment frauds we have stopped selling on our website. Also consider that each YachtSpot is custom to order, it usually takes 10+ days unless it is purchased as a demo on eBay.
    

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14.  

    Re: cyber cafes don't work anyway?

    

    Ben, Nov 8th, 2004 @ 2:28pm

    
    

    Sorry to bring this thread back, but I've been ripped of by this guy before. He used to sell YacthSpot through PayPal, however I paid and was never shipped a product. Paypal has since closed their account. Be warned, it IS a scam! To verify, just try calling the seller.

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15.  

    Re: cyber cafes don't work anyway?

    

    Anonymous Coward, Nov 19th, 2004 @ 12:49pm

    
    

    I have to agree. We have tried and tried to get ahold of this guy to BUY a system and he never gets back to us. Yachtmama.com is down - I wonder if this is any indication on how he pays his own bills.

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16.  

    Re: Ok, so...

    

    Anonymous Coward, Apr 7th, 2005 @ 3:53pm

    
    

    hiss

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17.  

    Re: Ok, so...

    

    Anonymous Coward, Mar 6th, 2006 @ 9:15am

    
    

    Our Marina has 4 yachtspot units, all delivered as promised and have never had a problem. Try our access at Navy Point Marina.

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18.  

    open new buisiness with computers and coffee

    

    interested new buisiness opener, May 12th, 2008 @ 8:04am

    
    

    A freind and me are wanting to open up a internet cafe in town. They can drink coffe and other drinks while working on our or their computers. What do you all say about this idea?

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