Knoppix at a Cyber café

[luisdlc]

I have searched for info on this subject and failed to find answers.
I have also browsed some faqs, but they address diffrent issues about internet and knoppix.
So I apologize if this is an old discused topic, I really need some advice.

I got knoppix with the hope of using a more efficient OS at cybercafé's where the poor machines have XP OS, not updated, with huge worm/viruses problems and all in all slow performance.

I have found knoppix (linux that is of course) to be very intuitive, and so far I haven't had problems or conflicts.

I would REALLY like to know, how to acces internet at a LAN based Cybercafé, or be directed to some site/file that would explain how to do so.

Also, I could get any info needed from the provider, like ip's or dns... I just don't have enough expirience in setting up internet at linux.

Thanks.

[firebyrd10]

Well the first hurdle would be to get the Café to alow you start up knoppix. If you can then knoppix should be able to find whats needed and set it up.

[aay]

I'm assuming that the cafe will allow you to do this and that you have already tried booting from the cd. What happened? Knoppix should try to grab an ip address automatically via dhcp. Are you not getting an address?

[Cuddles]

Kewl idea, but, I think it isnt possible... Unless, you sell the idea on the "CyberCafe's" management...

Why? Well, if the systems are set up the same as our "Local Library" or any of our "local" public access computer systems locations, the systems are "locked down" from any changes...

As in the case of our "local" Library and Employment Services, "public access" computers, the systems have boot, reboot, floppy, and even CD-ROM abilities locked from being used, possibly the only thing you can do is, use the internet icon, and print to a local printer, thats it.

floppy access is not available, no cd-rom is auto-started, and no icons exist for accessing them. The BIOS is locked down, and you cant access the reboot or shutdown from the system without having the proper authorization, login. They may also have read-only drives, set up, that way nothing can get to the system.

I dont think you'll be able to get anything to run, unless you go through the "proper" channels, that is, management of the establishment. You may be able to "sell" them on the idea, but, only if they could "still" have the ability to "lock down" those systems from being used improperly, like they probably have them set up currently.

Not saying your idea isnt a good one, but, its going to take a little "salesmanship" to do it... You need to sell them on the idea of using a Live CD to boot with, the idea that the system boots with a "locked down", "read-only", and lastly, "reboot and everything is clean again" type of a OS. You can then add in, the idea that since they are using a "Linux" OS, it is impervious to those "Windows" viri that are "plagueing" there systems currently. They may want to go with a more "tailored" Live CD, one that only provides "certain" services that they want, and not all the "extra" services that are not needed, or wanted to have, in there situation; like no Samba, sniffer utilities, LAN access, but not server ability, in essence, a "locked down" variant that only allows a user to get to the internet, access email, etc... but not get the establishment into possible "legal" problems; like allowing someone to release viri, or worms, to contaminate there systems, kinda stuff...

Just my thoughts, hope they help

[luisdlc]

Hello,

First of all, I want to thank you for your answers.

I wan't to apologize, because maybe I wasn't clear enough in the last post.

As <aay> assumed, yes, the cybercafé let me use the pc at my will, I have complete acces to the computer, even in the windows boot, and of course I am able to boot the computer with knoppix. The Bios is not locked in any way.

Knoppix runs ok, but it cannot acces internet. I am using a 3.2 knoppix cd, could this be the problem?

Even though, if knoppix 3.2 does not hook up automatically to the internet, I would like to learn how to do it manually.

Just to let everything clear, of course I have permission to do what I am trying.

As long as the comuter is not damaged, even modifications on the software are allowed. In fact, I rutinely change the keyboard to a D'vorak layout, install fire fox and run windows update.... The owner of the place cares only about me paying him for the time of use...

[A. Jorge Garcia]

Well, then, you are lucky!

I tried selling a similar idea to my local library. I wanted to run a class in Programming with Java for Beginners and give out KNOPPIX CDs to the students to reboot the library machines. Of course, the PowersThatBe have no clue what Linux is, much less what KNOPPIX is, so they ran away in fear:

Fly like the wind, Frodo, Fly like the wind!!! You Fools, save yourselves, go on without me!!!

Regards,
AJG

[firebyrd10]

Hello,

First of all, I want to thank you for your answers.

I wan't to apologize, because maybe I wasn't clear enough in the last post.

As <aay> assumed, yes, the cybercafé let me use the pc at my will, I have complete acces to the computer, even in the windows boot, and of course I am able to boot the computer with knoppix. The Bios is not locked in any way.

Knoppix runs ok, but it cannot acces internet. I am using a 3.2 knoppix cd, could this be the problem?

Even though, if knoppix 3.2 does not hook up automatically to the internet, I would like to learn how to do it manually.

Just to let everything clear, of course I have permission to do what I am trying.

As long as the comuter is not damaged, even modifications on the software are allowed. In fact, I rutinely change the keyboard to a D'vorak layout, install fire fox and run windows update.... The owner of the place cares only about me paying him for the time of use...

How new are the Pcs? Chances are 3.2 doesn't have the drivers needed.

[luisdlc]

Hi.

The PC's are usually running Windows me, with a AMD Duron and 144 Mb RAM

The Ethernet Adapter is a Sis 900 PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter

That's all I can make out. This are not brand pc's.

I am going to try to get a newer version of Knoppix, but this version runs prity good, It recognizes all the devices so far... even usb devices.

[olivers]

I would REALLY like to know, how to acces internet at a LAN based Cybercafé, or be directed to some site/file that would explain how to do so.

Also, I could get any info needed from the provider, like ip's or dns... I just don't have enough expirience in setting up internet at linux.

Thanks.

In the menu there should be an entry for configuring the network card:

Knoppix->Network/Internet->Configure network card

This will step you through each of the settings - ip address, gateway, broadcast address.
I have this entry on Knoppix 3.4 - hopefully something similar is there for Knoppix 3.2

If the cafe uses proxies for web browsing, you might need to configure Konquerer to use them.

You can find out what the computer is using for IP address when it runs Windows. When you are in Windows, open up a command prompt and type

ipconfig