Setting Up A Computer For A Cyber Cafe

cumpeosystems said:

Hello, everyone. We are trying to set up a computer to be used as some-what of a cyber cafe. Basically we need two things:

1. Prevent users from using most programs. Allow access to IE or some other browser, and possibly Word.

2. This is the main thing that we need. We saw this implemented at a Staples. What we want is for the computer to be locked, and to unlock it, a customer has to swipe their credit card on a box connected to the computer via USB. Once the customer does this, they can use the computer, and a small timer in the corner shows how much time has been used, since they are being charged per minute. Then, once the customer is finished, the computer will relock and print a receipt.

Does anyone have an idea on how to do this? We've tried programs such as Smartlaunch, but we were having trouble with it, and it appears that an account has to be created for each user. The point of the set up we require is so that we don't have to be present for the customer to pay to use the computer.

I think what you are looking to do is limit use ability to go else where other then Web Browsing Have you looked into creating an account with UAC settings in effect with password if you lock everything down like that they will only be able to surf the web and everytime they try to do something else a password prompt will show up

Btw welcome to Seven Forums CumpeoSystems