Internet Cafe

An internet cafe or cybercafe is a place where one can use a computer with Internet access, most for a fee, usually per our or per minute; sometimes one can have unmetered access with a pass for a day or month, etc. It may serve as a regular cafe as well, with food and drinks being served.

The online cafe phenomenon was started in July by Wayne Gregori in San Francisco where he began SFnet Coffeehouse Network. Gregori designed, built and installed 25 coin operated computer terminals in coffeehouses throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. The cafe terminals dialed into a 32 line Bulletin Board System that offered an array of electronic services including FIDOnet mail and in 1992, Internet mail.

Internet Cafes are a natural evolution of the traditional cafe. Cafes started as places for information exchange, and have always been used as places to read the paper, send postcards home, play traditional or electronic games, chat to friends, find out local information. Cafes have also been  in the forefront of promoting new technology.

As internet access is in increasing demand, many pubs, bars and cafes have terminals, so the distinction between the  modern internet cafe and the traditional/ normal cafe is eroded as the traditional cafe is offering the same services as the cyber cafe. In some areas however, internet terminals are decreasing as technology now allows individuals to carry portably internet conneceted systems such as PDAs, and iPhones for example.

These internet cafes sometimes are set up in order to help bridge the "digital divide" providing computer as well as internet access and training to those without home access. It is now apparent that gaming has become increasingly popular within these centres. Online virtual internet cafes are being set up in order to render the user being anonymous and also protecting their computers and information  from malicious software and  spywares.