Greetings fine folk,

1) First time posting so if I mess up or this is the wrong forum please have mercy :)
2) I work for a medium public library and we are looking for a timer client/café timer for the 12 PCs we have available for library patron use. These 12 PCs are connected to the Internet and run Windows XP. Each patron is allowed one-hour use of these PCs per day.

Previously, we used Cyberstar Timer from Top Line Consulting but that conflicted with our setup and crashed all the time (and they stopped updating their software and refused to return our calls).

Currently, we have the patrons sign up on a paper form and we manually monitor their time limits. This bogs down our reference service and slows down the use of our internet PCs.

3) I would love to hear suggestions for suitable timer client/café timer. Cheap or freeware would be awesome. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. (and remember you are helping a non-profit organization so any advice you give grants you good karma)

Thanks,
LB

Anyone have any experience with this?:

Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit for Windows XP Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit for Windows XP (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sharedaccess/default.mspx)
Description: “Introducing powerful new software tools for shared computers in schools, libraries, Internet cafes, and other public places. The Shared Computer Toolkit helps make it easy to set up, safeguard, and manage reliable shared computers running genuine Windows XP.”
Cost: Download, FREE

Anyone?

The windows toolkit doesn't seem like the kind of thing you want, although it'll help with your security if you're unsure of how to lock down your machines!

Here are some good links;

Free Internet Cafe Software - Cyber Cafe Software - Management Software, handyCafe by AtesSoft (http://www.handycafe.com/en/)

Free Internet Cafe Software (http://www.internet-cafe-guide.com/free-internet-cafe-software.html)

Internet Cafe Software Software Freeware Shareware Free Download (http://www.brothersoft.com/downloads/internet-cafe-software.html)
MyCafeCup Platinum 1.998 - Internet cafe software - Cyber cafe software. (http://www.brothersoft.com/utilities/automation/mycafecup_platinum_11438.html)