"Cyber cafe" timekeeping software

[KRFinch at dstsystems.com]

All true, but we're talking about controlling usage for the kids in the
household, not paying customers.

- Kevin

                                                                           
             Jonathan Hutchins                                             
             <hutchins at tarcanf                                             
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                                                                   Subject 
                                       Re: "Cyber cafe" timekeeping        
             03/16/2004 10:17          software                            
             AM                                                            
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           
                                                                           

On Monday March 15 2004 01:47 pm, KRFinch at dstsystems.com wrote:

> Just me, but I wouldn't automatically log them out after 5 minutes of
> inactivity.  If it kept them logged in and chewed up their hours faster,
> they would soon develop the habit of logging out when they were done,
which
> is a good computing habit to have.  You figure if everything you are
> talking about is in place, the most it would chew up is an hour at a time
> anyway.

In a commercial situation this would be a real headache, as it would
generate
a lot of customer complaints - complaints that would have to be handled by
a
barrista or some equivalent, who wouldn't have any real input to
management's
policies.

A lot of American companies make the mistake of being very greedy and
draconian when they're introducing new technology.  I think this is done
with
the impression that "early adopters" will pay just about anything for the
privilige of use, and will put up with abuse.  This has the effect of
souring
a lot of people who might be interested in early adoption, but won't put up

with the abuse.  The negative reputation these companies build this way
lingers long after they straighten things out and adopt more reasonable
policies.