m@trix internet café

help on using our system

Our system uses an application called CyberCaféPro which provides an integrated interface which allows our visitors to see all of the details of their current session, including the time spent (and cost), any associated printing charges and the total amount for any other purchases they may have made.

This section describes the operation of the CyberCaféPro interface...

If this is your first time here at the m@trix, be sure to check out our terms of use and privacy policy.

Using our system is easy, just follow these steps:

Starting a Session

When using our standard Play and Pay mode, you can simply click one of the four large [menu] buttons on the left of the screen. Your session will start immediately, and your charges will be displayed.

Note: There is a small delay as the system initialises, after which the selected menu screen will be displayed.

If you are using a TimeCode, click on the Login button on the right of the screen, enter your code in the dialog that appears, and click on the [second] Login button, or press the keyboard «Enter» key.

The balance of your time remaining will be shown in the centre of the screen, and the menu buttons (on the left) will flash, indicating that they can now be selected.

Note: The Login button only appears when the workstation has been set to TimeCode mode from our server. For information about the TimeCode options available refer to our computer usage charges section.

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Running Programs

The programs and links available on our workstations are arranged into menus covering options related to Internet, Office and Photos (and other media), plus a further miscellaneous Links menu.

Note: The menu options are broken down into the following categories:

Internet & Related Options

• Web Browsers
• Instant Messaging & Chat
• Web Mail & Email Clients
• Language Tools
• Search

Office & Related Tools

• Microsoft Office Professional 2003
• OpenOffice.org - Sun Microsystems
• File & Connectivity Tools
• Office Productivity Tools
• Language Tools
• Reference

Photos & Other Media

• Backup Tools
• Photo & Image Editing
• Photo Web Uploads
• Music & Video Tools

Links & Other Software

• For Kids
• Just for Fun
• News & Sport
• Reference & Search Sites
• Weather Updates

When you click on the corresponding button on the left of the screen, another [menu] screen will appear, displaying a list of the available programs and related links.

The display can be filtered by the categories described above, which can be selected using the dropdown list which appears above each listing.

The On-Screen Keyboard and Character Map applications appear under Language Tools on both the Internet and Office menu listings.

Click on the entry you wish to view information on, and a sample screenshot and short description will be displayed in the right-hand panel.

To launch your selection, either double-click the program entry in the list, or click on the Launch button.

To select additional programs, click on the Start button on the Taskbar at the bottom of the desktop (to redisplay the main system screen), and click on the required menu button.

Note: Please refer to our Language Support page for information about the keyboard layout and spellchecking options available during your session.

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Ending Your Session

There are a few ways your session can end. All programs will be terminated when a session is ended, so make sure you are aware of when and if your session will be terminated!

To end your session, click on the Finish button on the right of the screen, or click on the Stop icon on the Grand Total / Time Remaining window displayed at the top of the screen.

Note: Check out our Privacy Policy for details on what happens behind the scenes when your session ends.

If you are using a TimeCode, your session will also terminate if you run out of time. As a warning, the Time Remaining window will start flashing yellow when less than 5 minutes remain, and will flash red when less than 2 minutes remain on your card.

If desired, your TimeCode can be "topped up", but you must request this before it expires - otherwise a new TimeCode will need to be purchased to continue.

At the end of your session a summary of your charges are shown on the screen. Details displayed include your start and finish times, together with the Time Elapsed, followed by the total charge for the Computer Usage.

Also displayed are totals for any Printing Charges incurred and any Other Purchases you may have made (for coffee or food, for example).

Lastly, the Grand Total at the bottom will flash to highlight the amount due.

Note: These details are also available to view throughout your session, simply by pressing the taskbar Start button to display the main system interface (n.b. press Start again to make it go away).

In addition, for our Play and Pay users, the continually updated Grand Total is shown in the small window at the top of the screen.

The final step, of course, is to come to the front counter and pay us!

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Don't forget, if you have any questions... just ask! We're happy to assist.