An idea to run a Bitcoin-centric internet cafe. A place where people can go to learn how to re-claim their digital sovereignty.
Learn how to run devices and operating systems that don’t spy on you. Self host your personal cloud. Resist censorship. Use unstoppable money. Monetize with products and services.
Slogan: Reclaim your digital sovereignty
Nikki suggested the name, “Mine your business” which fits pretty well.
Day to day operation
During the day, we are an internet cafe. We sell goods, snacks, drinks, and metered computer/game console access. On the weekends, we host seminars and workshops.
Workshop Ideas
- How to build your own blog using Obsidian & Quartz.
- How to use Bitcoin safely & securely.
- How to run Linux and reclaim your digital sovereignty.
- How to self-host your family’s photos, DVDs and other digital media using a NAS. (NAS 001)
- How to remain anonymous online with Tor. (TailsOS tutorial)
- How to create an AI agent that works for you. (MunderDifflin tutorial)
- How to create a Bitcoin node.
- How to access the dark web safely (TailsOS tutorial).
- How to build a fast HTML website using Hugo (web publishing 001).
- How to self-host your website using CGNAT (web publishing 002).
- How to build a website: for the average person. (Neocities, HTML + CSS. No build tools.)
- How to run a website on https://www.nearlyfreespeech.net/
- How to syncronize your files on multiple computers (Syncthing tutorial)
- How to back up your files automatically (Restic tutorial) (NAS 002)
- How to set up a Bitcoin inheritance plan. “What happens to my Bitcoin when I die?”
- How to stay private online (Firefox web browser, PrivacyBadger tutorial)
- How to block advertisements on your phone and computer (Firefox & uBlock origin tutorial)
- How to block sponsorships and unpaid promotions on youtube videos (Sponsorblock tutorial)
- How to block popups when browsing the internet (I still don’t care about cookies plugin tutorial)
- How to watch youtube without being tracked (Invidius tutorial)
- What is RSS and why is it useful? Read all your news in one place using RSS.
Getting started needs
- Working capital (~$20K)
- Business license
- Hardware
- Bathroom
- Mirror
- Toilet
- Sink
- Trash bin
- Toilet brush
- Plunger
- Cable management
- Furniture
- front desk
- tech bench
- presentation podium
- Display case
- computer desks. Used call center desk or similar
- Snack shelf
- Garbage bins
- Office chairs
- Computers & Electronics
- Point of Sale
- Cash drawer https://amzn.to/46RZQ5I
- Signage
- Equipment
- 19” rack (find one used at JunkWerx or RecycleTechs)
- Network infra
- 24 port PoE Gigabit network switch
- Cat 6 network cable (1000ft box)
- Cat 6 connectors & crimp tool
- Netgate 4100 pfSense router/firewall
- Wi-Fi access points TP-Link Omada EAP650 AX3000 WiFi 6
- Captive portal (both LAN & WLAN)
- LAN captive portal integrated with HandyCafe (locked down to prevent unauthorized machines)
- Wi-Fi vouchers for patrons. Prepay at front desk. Free vouchers with purchase of merch or computer time https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/captiveportal/vouchers.html#voucher-options
- Internet
- provider 1
- provider 2
- modem with failover feature
- Printer
- Brother MFC-L8930CDW
- Consoles
- N64
- ModRetro M64
- Samsung TV for access control with https://handycafe.com/en/docs/console-power.html
- Projector
- VGA over ethernet extender
- Ceiling mount
- Projector screen
- 4-6 Patron Computers +1 reception computer
- AMD BC250 (we save money and get a performant PC this way) tutorial
- Bazzite
- ViewSonic VX2267-MHD
- mechanical keyboard
- headphone stand
- webcam
- headset
- Small UPS
- ViewSonic VX2267-MHD
- Mouse
- AMD BC250 (we save money and get a performant PC this way) tutorial
- Point of Sale
- Fun features
- LN payphone
- Bathroom
- Cleaning supplies
- Windex sanitizing cleaner
- Spraybottles
- Isopropyl alcohol for cleaning electronics
- Q-tips for cleaning electronics
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Consumables
- Trash bags
- Commercial grade paper towels
- Hand soap
- Software
- CCBoot (enables diskless PCs)
- https://handycafe.com (PC management, CRM, PoS)
- Odoo (bookkeeping)
- Workshop schedule
- Thursday 6:30PM
- Products
- Books
- Pocket constitution
- Broken Money by Lyn Alden
- The Big Print by Lawrence Lepard
- SOFTWAR by Jason Lowry
- Bitcoin is for Everyone by Natalie Brunell
- Signing devices
- Trezor
- Ledger Nano
- Bitkey
- Steel wallet
- Wearesatoshis
- Self-sovereign cloud computing devices
- Umbrel
- Start9
- Vora
- Casa
- Apparel
- Hats
- Posters
- Bitcoin whitepaper poster
- Satoshi poster
- Privacy devices
- TailsOS bracelet
- Pi-Hole
- Books
- website
- RSS feed
- Workshop Schedule
- Hours
- Photos
- .onion
- Business plan
- We do 1 paid workshop per week. (3 hour session)
- We do hotseat drop-in gaming/internet cafe 5 days a week.
- We sell metered computer/printer access
- We sell drinks and snacks
- We sell Bitcoin products & merch
Dispelling myths
Customers will inevitably bring up the FUD they read online. We’ll need to be ready with canned responses.