CyberCafe: The design of an improved activity station

The purpose of this paper is to design furniture for a cybercafe based on an understanding of the role that computers play in their integration with traditional coffee houses. This combination of table, chairs and computer elements can be called an "activity station" for the patrons of this new breed of cafe. Through a closer examination of the specific needs of cybercafe patrons this thesis aims at developing a better activity station than what is currently available.;The history and culture of both coffee and the Internet were examined to help distill out the common factors that caused this union to form. An informal survey of local cafes was conducted to obtain a description of people who frequent regular cafes, and what their attitudes are towards technology. From these discussions a questionnaire was developed and distributed to an international group of subjects over the Internet on their thoughts about Internet equipped cafes, or cybercafes. This insight into the needs and interests of the users provided the backdrop from which an improved cybercafe table and chair could be designed. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).