Internet Cafes and the Cyber World

We thought that it would be useful to our expatriate viewers if we collected together useful tips, introductory articles, further information and other contacts to help you investigate, explore and become more familiar with the "online world" out there.

The Internet is becoming an increasingly valuable resource in the search for information, advice and networks, but sometimes it is difficult to know where and how to start. We hope this section provides some useful ideas, and we welcome your comments and feedback.

We are hoping to build up a list of E-Mail contacts for all those expatriates on the move who want to communicate with each other - please tell us your name, location (city and country) and E-Mail address, and we will add you to the list. For all communications about this section, or this topic in general, please E-Mail us at [email protected]

Surf the Net - Use the power of the internet by searching for the topic you want, and see what happens. Select one of the search engines below, and follow the instructions on screen - you will need to type some keywords or phrases into a "search" box on screen to enable the search engine to find sites relevant to your query.

Infoseek		http://guide.infoseek.com
Excite		http://www.excite.com
Lycos		http://a2z.lycos.com
HotBot		http://www.hotbot.com
AltaVista		http://www.altavista.digital.com
Net Search Lists and Tips		Netscape users can gain easy access to an even larger selection of search engines, guides and directories, at: http://home.netscape.com/escapes/search/ Plus, tips and advice for improving your searching technique can be found at: http://guide.infoseek.com/Help?pg=HomeHelp.html or http://home.netscape.com/escapes/search/tips_frame.html

How many of you are interested in the Internet, but do not have the right hardware or software on your home computer?

Perhaps you want to find out whether the Internet would be useful to you before committing yourself to installing all that stuff at home?

Or, you are less interested in "surfing the net", but could use an E-Mail address?

Maybe you're not someone who wants to sit at home in front of a computer screen, but would jump at the chance of exploring the internet in a lively, social environment?

...... If any of the above applies to you, then pay a visit one of the fast-growing number of Cyber Cafés worldwide. These cafés are usually found in the bigger city centres. They supply a number of computers for public use which are connected to the Internet. Fees vary, but normally involve a membership or registration fee (which may include your own E-Mail address), plus an hourly usage fee. Some cafés provide training and a few hours free online time for new members. What's more, you get the opportunity to drink coffee and socialise as well!

The lists below vary in the amount of detail they provide about each location, but may include café name, address, opening hours, telephone and/or fax number, E-Mail address, and sometimes details of the number of computers and rates charged.

So, check out the lists, get together with a friend and wander down to your local Cyber Café to find out what it's all about ..............

The Internet Café Guide		Locate cafés in your area worldwide by index or by clickable map. Lists over 1000 cafés http://www.netcafeguide.com/index.htm

The Cybercafé Search Engine		This database contains listings of 1502 cafés in 85 countries. http://cybercaptive.com/

Cyberia Café		Lists of cafés in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Dublin, Paris, Tokyo, Bangkok and Manila. http://www.cyberiacafe.net/cafes/index.html

Cyber Café Guide		Another listing of cafés - this one looks a bit old, so double-check before you catch a bus anywhere! http://www.cyberiacafe.net/cyberia/guide/ccafe.htm

HM USA Travel Guide: Cyber/Internet Cafés		Internet cafés throughout the US. http://www.dedas.com/hm-usa/cybcaf.html

Euro Cyber Cafés		Lists cyber cafés that have their own home pages on the Net or that can be contacted by E-mail. http://www.xs4all.nl/~bertb/cybeur.html

Cyber Cafés in Europa		Try this European listing in Italian! http://www.tightrope.it/docs/tightrop/cyber.htm

If you are wondering how to get connected to the Internet in your new location, you may find some useful technical background and tips here.

Technotravel		Handy hints on how to use the Internet while travelling, with or without your own computer. http://pobox.com/~technotravel

Guide to International Connectivity		Need to connect your UK modem to the Gabonese telephone system? This communications solutions page can help you gain international connectivity - includes traveller's helpdesk and country communications summaries. http://www.teleadapt.com

World Wide Phone Guide		A guide to typical issues that may arise when you try to use your modem in a different country. Includes table of worldwide telephone plugs, ways to deal with hard-wired phone system, and some special situations such as digital phones. http://www.cris.com/~kropla/phones.htm Plus the accompanying and informative World Electric Guide. http://www.cris.com/~kropla/electric.htm

Finding People on the Net		This site provides tools for locating an individual's E-mail address. http://alabanza.com/kabacoff/Inter-Links/phone.html

Webgator E-mail Directories		A long list of E-mail (and telephone) directories to help you get in touch with friends and contacts. http://www.inil.com/users/dguss/gator11.htm