The cyber cafe is a
mixed blessing.
No Equipment Hassles
·
Cyber cafés offer that computer, software, hardware and Internet
connection that you will need. They also have tech support onsite to handle any
problem that you may have. The staff is also capable of guiding Internet
novices through the steps needed to check email or surf the web for
information. This means no equipment to lug around and maintenance. For some
people, regular visits to the Internet café are cheaper than maintaining a home
computer.
Internet Access for Everyone
·
There are no restrictions on the people who can get online at the
cyber café. You simply pay the fee to gain access. The fees are inexpensive
enough to accommodate low-income families who need access for things like
unemployment registration in state where the system is completely online. There
are no age limits in most cafes. Themed cafes (for gamers and dating) may have
a few restrictions on younger children, however.
Vision Systems, Checker,
VisionPro, In-Sight, In-Sight Micro, Dataman
Cutting Edge of Gaming
·
Cyber cafes geared toward the gamer tend to have the latest in
gaming software. Some will even carry a few hardware items that are new in the
gaming world. The computers have enough memory and a high processor speed to
allow for a gaming experience that is free of long buffering lags, frozen screens
and crashing.
Security
·
The biggest concern for any cyber café user is the security of any
information typed into the computer. Customers who use the cyber café computer
for banking, updating their unemployment accounts and other personal tasks must
take the precautions given by the cyber café for protecting you information
after leaving the computer. Oftentimes, this is as simple as completely closing
the browser after use. Doing so will erase your information before the next
user bellies up to the keyboard.
Illegal Gambling Problem
·
Some illegal cyber gambling establishments have become a problem
for the local governments by masquerading as cyber cafes. Internet gambling is
illegal in many states, but operators get around the laws by posing as an Internet
café. Local law enforcement cracks down on the rings, but often can't identify
them until they are already up and scamming money from customers.
Foreign Scams
·
The email scams that everyone has seen often originate at Internet
cafes, where it is nearly impossible to track the culprit after their session
is over. Cyber cafes are ground zero for Nigerian money-wiring scams and other
foreign fraud, but many crooks are taking up residence in the United States,
using the cyber café for anonymity.
