Since the internet has become more popular over the last few years there have been opportunites for providing internet access to the public apart from the more traditional dial up access service.
Many companies now have full internet connectivity, nearly all universities, polytechs and a large number of colleges and schools are also internet connected. Public libraries, community centres and other public meeting places often have some type of internet connection. Hotels and Motels are also realising he advantages in providing internet services for meetings, conferences and even for hotel guests. Some retail outlets, especially those in the computer business are also getting internet connections.
As the Internet has become more popular in New Zealand there have been
public access internet connected computers and terminals appearing in
many unexpected places.
Probably the first public access internet computer in New Zealand was
provided by Auckland PlaNet in late 1993. This was situated in Cyber Culture
in K Road, Auckland and proved to be a very popular facility. Visitors
to Auckland accounted for a large number of the users of this system.
This system used a dial up modem to establish contact with the main
ak.planet computer and provided online PPP connections for users.
Many people reported that this was their first encounter with the Internet
and ak.planet gained some excellent publicity and followup business from
this system.
Many libraries seemed to embrace this new information technology fairly
early as the NZ Internet was developing. Some of the more traditional
ISPs would provide the equipment, software and connectivity for these
terminals.
Very few of the existing ISPs became involved in providing and supporting
internet facilities in libraries. Those that did often found that it
required a total installation and support effort as often there was
no internet familiar staff in the library. Basic administration is
usually all that could be provided so internet terminals had to turn-key
applications.
Since 1993 the library situation has improved as the Internet has become
more popular especially since the intorduction of the World Wide Web and the
software browers that provide a graphical interface to it.
A large proportion of libraries in New Zealand now have some sort of
Internet access.
Now in Auckland central library several ISPs have located public access
terminals/computers with varying Internet related services. These ISPs
use the PR value of these systems to attract customers to their main
ISP business.
In 1995 the first 'Internet Cafes' appeared in Wellington and Auckland.
Some of these seemed to last only a few months and while operating had
variable commercial success.
The exact definition of an 'Internet Cafe' seems to cover a simple
laboratory type operation with just internet connected computer and terminals,
through to the more traditional cafe providing beverages and food and with
internet facilities available to customers.
Some of the most successful cafes have become involved in providing as
wide a range as possible of internet related services. The cafe computer
systems have also been high quality systems with large high resolution
screens and are often 'name-brand' computers. Having both MAC and PC
systems attracts people who favour one type over the other.
Services provided can be:
Internet connected computer systems with WWW online access
Computer games both single and multiuser over a network
High quality audio support on all public systems
A good range of email and news support software
A document/image scanning and editing system, with image printing facility
A laser printing system
Dial in telephones for after hours home access to the Internet
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