Hi Folks. Quick background...not a Linux newbie, but I'm no kernel hacker. Fairly new to Knoppix, but I'm playing and reading docs. I co-run a small computer/networking consulting business (side business.) Most of our clients have been small shops where we deploy/support Linux servers.

An idea we had for the coming year is to develop a turn-key Internet Cafe kiosk type system that we would market to local coffee shops/book shops.

Goals:
Must be very affordable for us and for our clients, both in terms of hardware, software and support.
Minimal client hardware, would prefer PXE boot. No HD, CD, or floppy on client machines.
Minimal to no client administration for on-site staff.
Minimal server administration of on-site staff.
Pleasant user experience to include Internet browsing, instant messaging, simple games, possibly light document editing and ability to print to central printer.

I am a few days or so into researching how we would actually set this up. This page has about ~90% of the functionality of what we are looking for:
http://www.dnalounge.com/backstage/src/kiosk/ Pretty much the only thing I would add to that setup would be a management system. Perhaps this:
http://akinimod.sourceforge.net/icafe.html

You will probably notice that the Knoppix CD does pretty much what the fellow above has done, thereby doing most of the 'heavy-lifting.' However, there are a few things that would probably have to be changed. I would probably want knoppix installed to a hard drive on the server. I would also want the terminal server to start automatically at bootup. For the clients, I would want them to auto login with no boot prompt. I would also want a fairly minimal client desktop (KDE, Mozilla, Gaim, Open Office, possibly a few games, and not much else.) I do want a full client desktop, however. LTSP seems aimed at just (or mostly) running everyting from the server. I have not found any clear docs on how to make LTSP function as Knoppix Terminal Server does (booting a full client desktop.)

I will have to admit that, at this point, I also haven't found too much solid information on customizing the Knoppix Terminal Server setup and/or using the Knoppix Terminal Server after doing a HD install. I will continue to research, but in the meantime, perhaps a knowledgeable person(s) can give me a few pointers.

I am not asking for detailed hand-holding at this point, but I would appreciate a general outline in the steps I would need to take to accomplish what I am tring to do, using Knoppix as a starting point.

Thanks much, and sorry for rambling.

Devlyn Davis