Hello,

Please bear with me, I'm new to Linux. I found your forum on Google. I just opened an Internet Cafe for people to check their mails, to chat, to write resumes, school assignments, to play network video gamed, etc... So I asked some one that is "the computer-savvy guy" to help me and we bought 9 computers (8 for customers and one for me to check in). The technician suggested not to install Windows he said because it costs money and because people always install viruses, spyware. It's not their computers after all and they don't care. He suggested installing "Ubuntu", and he explained that it's an alternative to Windows, if I'm not mistaken. But free and more secure. After discussing, we decided that we would install Windows on one computer, just in case, and on mine also (I have my own software and the cyber cafe management application is a Windows one). So, he set that up during the week-end with a friend of him, and everything was working properly, in network, with a fast DSL connection. On Monday, when the first customers came in, they found it very strange not to have Windows. Well, the first customers were 2 girls (they were together) and they went directly to the Windows computer. Other people came in and they found Ubuntu weird, from the expression on their face. They asked if we had Windows, and I said yes, but the computer was busy, so they decided to wait. Then more customers came during the day, and same story. A few days have passed, and basically people don't want to use the computers that have Ubuntu! What should I do please? I need to act quickly because some people don't want to wait the other person to finish chatting on Messenger to use the computer. It's now a stressful climate in the Internet Cafe because people are angry waiting, some people don't wait and leave. I'm just about to ask some one to install Windows on these computers too. I asked my friend what he would do, and he said these people are plain stupid because the systems are similar. Well, there's gotta be something wrong somewhere. What I want is my business to succeed. Hourly rates are very low, and I need these computers used all day long and in the evening as well to pay the bills. This first week has been terrible in terms of sales and image. Is there something I could do to make these computers more attractive? Maybe charge more for the Windows computer? They have OpenOffice instead of MS Office 2007, OpenOffice is not too bad, but maybe people dislike it? I just can't get feedback from the customers, they just say they prefer to wait and use Windows. Please let me know what you would do. I'll have to take a decision probably today.


Werner.

stick with Ubuntu and give your customers a chance to get used to it. Remember that they were all noobs on Windows once too.

i would continue to use Linux, it would make the system's easier to lock down, and not have to worry about anyone installing any windows based malware such as keyloggers/trojans or any other sort of evil software on the machines, besides most real customers will only want to surf the internet and check email with them and any Linux distro can do that easily...

Thanks for the replies. I called the store to buy 7 licenses of Windows and the sales rep said I wasn't entitled anymore to the OEM discount, unless I buy hardware together. The week has been bad. Buying Windows licenses now would be too expensive, as the full price is like 30% more expensive than OEM. The problem is that nothing indicates that suddenly people are going to use Ubuntu. It's as if I had only one computer available. How am I going to make money? I've put my savings into this business but I'm already pissed off. If only I knew, I would have bought OEM versions, and I wouldn't be in this situation. I need to make money next week at all price :'(

You could try and dress up Ubuntu as Windows, just to trick them initially. Get a wallpaper similar to the green grass/blue sky windows default one; change the icons of open office, gaim etc. to windows-like ones. The list goes on.

People often comment that KDE is more windows-like in its setup than gnome is, so perhaps changing the session KDE, then applying some Windows-style themes might be a good start. I think a wallpaper similar the the "Bliss XP" default for Windows XP would go a long way to making people use it!

Beware of copyright issues if this is a business though.

If you are charging people to use the computers, and they want Windows, then you are going to lose some customers. Given the choice between being forced to learn something new and going somewhere else, most people will just move on.

You have several options:
1. Join the mainstream and install Windows
2. Make the use of the computers free and develop a different revenue model.
3. Do some educating and selling in re Linux and OpenSource.

I watch people at our local coffee shop (free use of the computer). Most are just using a web browser and might never know they were on Linux. All they would need is a bit of subliminal selling/education--eg on-screen graphical guidance.

And, above all else, to offer a service, you need to be proficient in the use of that service. If you don't personally have some basic Linux skills, how can you relate to what your customers are experiencing.

Also, it might sound counter-intuitive now, but removing the Windows computer might also persuade them there's nothing to wait for, at which point they might try the Ubuntu machines.

Just Dual Boot. Install both Windows and Ubuntu on all the machines, so the users can choose at startup which they want.

You can get Windows XP cheaper online than in the stores, anyway. Or, find some broken PCs for sale at a junk store/craigslist with windows xp stickers w/serials on them.

thats exactly why the ubuntu comps are not getting any attention. if he removes the 'distraction' he might find his customers adapt very quickly, especially if he is the closest internet cafe to them.

dual-boot might be counter-productive; choice can be confusing. just look at how many people need help picking the right distro for example.

I agree with pwc101. Making the desktop look Windows-like, with icons labelled "Browser", "email" "IM", etc would be a big help. Remove any unfamiliar icons and just leave the basic programs most people need.

People will figure out quickly how to use email, browse, even if it's not the program they're used to.

The OP should also have some basic knowledge of the desktop at least, in order to help with simple questions.

change your approach. offer promotions. be creative with promoting yourself as a windows alternative. if i had to pay to use something strange, new, and different i would probably stay away myself. offer the first hour free. offer free lessons and perhaps rake in the money on the coffee and donuts while showing people how to use linux. surely there's computer science students in your area willing to work in a linux/internet cafe to help teach folks how to use linux. perhaps offer free cd's of linux so folks can take them home. put a sign on the front door with a big image of TUX that says "we use linux". my apologies as i have no entrepreneurial skills or experience or education but i had to jump in here. i'm a recent linux convert (less than 2 years) and my conversion has been quite challenging at best but my enthusiasm is greater than ever. i would love to trade places with you. there's an inventory of used computers near my area and i've been thinking of buying them out and installing linux on each and every one then reselling them. but alas, my business skills as stated above do not match my lofty ideas and dreams. i do strongly believe or perhaps just wishful thinking that they would sell because all computer stores around here only sell vista. you have the storefront and the hardware and linux in place now be creative in getting people to use linux. perhaps you may need to invest more and prepare for the long haul with regards to any ROI. i would come and work for you for training wages just for the thrill of showing people how to use linux. the whole linux concept is relatively new and may require lots of work but i do think it is the future. ok, i'll shut up now. i just wanted to express my enthusiasm and throw some comments in here. i would like to say thanks for the post. perhaps i'll start dreaming of a linux cafe myself instead of a computer store. best wishes and good luck.

mind if i steal your idea about the linux cafe?

One of the coffee shops (Dunn Bros) where I live.. uses kde on all 4 of their machines, I have never heard anyone complain, and there always occupied, it is a very basic setup with just a kde menu button on the left hand side.. with options for firefox, some games, a few other things.
(does not look like windows by any means)

I dont know why people would reject it.. the pure simplicity of what you can tone it down too is great.. also will prevent users from messing up your machines

I would suggest contacting Dunn Bros and asking them questions regarding it, for some ideas.
0 mi. - Bemidji
501 Paul Bunyan Drive S
Bemidji, MN 56601
Phone: 218- 444-5252
Email: dunnbros106@dunnbros.com
• Free WiFi Access
• Live Music
• Drive Through
• Patio Seating

please do. it's all about open source, open sharing, liberty. i hope to see others have success. i will definitely come in for a cup of some linux-joe.

edit...oops, i regress, looks like the idea of a "linux cafe" isn't mine. scroll down to see the similar threads.

Sorry to hear about your problems. I have some suggestions you can follow to help you. However since its a business we're talking about and I really hope you don't lose a lot of money, so if this doesn't work out for you, I suggest you install windows, because you have to. I usually don't suggest people to move back to windows, but however, since the general public is still not used to linux yet, that could be your only option. however, here are some things you can do while still in ubuntu.

This link could help you start making your ubuntu look like windows.
http://using-ubuntu.blogspot.com/200...look-like.html

This link is a discussion form, you might find some help here.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=462353

Since ubuntu comes with firefox, you can use this theme in firefox to make firefox look like Internet Explorer 7
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4129

Or if you'd like IE itself, this link will provide you help to download earlier versions of Internet Explorers.
http://www.tatanka.com.br/ies4linux/page/Main_Page

This link provides a theme for your login screen
http://www.gnome-look.org/content/sh...c847ab81eaddab

This link provides a theme for your splash screen
http://www.gnome-look.org/content/sh...c847ab81eaddab

For a change you can try this with one machine. This link has all the necessary steps, in detail, to make ubuntu look like Mac OS X. So you can have some mac users using the computers as well. And this one is really really detailed, so this could be really helpful
http://www.taimila.com/ubuntuosx.php

As you can see, if you search and do a little work here and there, you can really make ubuntu look like windows, which might help you with your problems. There are still other websites and applications that can help you run most of your windows applications. If you need more help, email me at xubean @ gmail and I can try to help you out further.
Good luck with your venture.