Internet Cafés Our Account Planners recently went through some basic training with ICCRentals, based in the Chicago area, on the set up of Internet Cafés. An Internet Café can be described as a dedicated area that is set up with on-line computer access for a group of meeting participants. Typically, it is set up in a common area or foyer and uses 48” high tables for “walk-up” access. These Internet Cafés are more often used for email access than strictly “surfing the web.” The sponsor (either the corporation or association hosting the meeting) arranges for computers, modems, ethernet cards, hubs/cables, phone lines (these could vary from your basic DID line to ISDN lines or even T1 or T3 lines), tech support and ISP software. Internet Cafés are more common with corporate meetings because a common ISP (Internet Service Provider such as AOL or Mindspring) is used to check email, while the variety of attendees using all their various ISPs make it more difficult for an association to arrange this service. While budget limitations can also restrict the addition of an Internet Café, this is an area where sponsorship opportunities exist. For the technical set up of an Internet Café, there are a number of considerations. Phone line options range from a DID line, which can accommodate 1 computer, to an ISDN line which can serve up to 6 machines. T1 or T3 lines can handle up to 25 computers. Prices, of course, vary for each of these phone lines from $125 each for DID lines to $3,000 for T1 lines (depending on whether a facility already has one in place for rental). Depending on the number of computers and lines needed, it could be just as cost effective to utilize an ISDN line than multiple DID lines. If a T1 line is desired or necessary, depending on the number of users, it can take up to a month or more to get this brought into a facility so early notice is mandatory. For the computers themselves, a Pentium 166 MHz with 32 MB RAM memory is sufficient. However, most companies now recommend a Pentium II, 300 MHz machine with 64MB RAM memory. Standard modem speed is 56K. With Internet Cafés being set up more frequently, there are now one-stop-shop providers who can assist with all the needs for your attendees. By Karen Watson