Frequently asked questions about Userful Pay and Surf

Q: How do I get started? How much does it cost?|
A: It only costs $125 to get started if you own your own hardware! All you need is our Internet Cafe Starter Kit and you get $250 worth of prepaid cards that are part of the package. Soon the Starter Kit will pay for itself! If you don't have your own hardware, purchase one of our appliances that allows 2, 4, or 6 users to work from one PC.

Q: Do I need to buy licenses for each computers?
A: Absolutely not! The cost of prepaid card covers the software licenses, support, and maintenance.

Q: Can I add my own application?
A: Due to the lock-down and security feature of Userful Desktop, you cannot run executable files that is usually needed to install applications. However, Userful Desktop comes with 40 application (word processor, spreadsheet, web browser, photo editing software, instant messenger such as MSN, Yahoo, and many more). Chances are those applications that you are looking for are already included.

Q: Do your offer internet phone service or VOIP?
A: Sorry, not at this time.

Q: Does your software work for gaming?
A: Gaming stations required a higher than average processor and video card. Therefore, Userful Desktop multi user station is not ideal for gaming.

Q: Can I use Userful Pay and Surf in another country? How much would it cost?
A: We can generate Prepaid Cards in any denomination and currency. The cost of the prepaid card would be then determine based on the local currency and denomation. Please call us at 1-866-873-9126 to discuss the options for international deployment.

Q: How do I know my PC will work with the Userful Desktop software?
A: Download our install DVD and install it on your computer.

Q: Who sets the price I charge for Internet access?
A: You do! You know your users best and know what will be most profitable. Just keep your prices above our minimum rate of 5¢ per minute ($3 per hour).

Q: Can I offer other means of payment other than prepaid card?
A: Our credit card swipe system is coming soon. Send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to get on the notification list. Userful's internet station software is used in a thousands of locations around the world. It's not available under our "free" revenue-sharing program, but we can integrate your kiosks into a variety of authentication or billing systems. For example, guests could charge Internet use to their room via your hotel property management system, or students could charge printing and Internet use to their student account. Contact Userful for details on pricing.

Q: How do prepaid cards work?
A: Each $5 and $10 prepaid access card has a unique access number on the back that's valid only for use at your kiosk(s). The cards retain unused time, so if a customer only uses 10 minutes of a 1 hour card, the remaining 50 minutes are still available. These cards are usually sold at the front desk, a vending machine or at a nearby convenience store.

Q: Can I offer (and charge for) printing?
A: Sure! Just plug in a supported printer and specify the cost per page you want in the configuration screen. Users will get a pop-up message telling them the cost.

Q: Can I offer free access to certain websites that are useful to my visitors?
A: Yes, provided your kiosk is generating at least $100 in monthly revenue. If so, you can include a "walled garden" profile to give your users free access to certain useful sites. The walled garden profile is controlled by you - you just specify the homepage and sites your users can visit for free. These could include flight arrival/departure information (airports), virtual concierge, hotel amenities and future reservations (hotel), and online store catalog (retail).

Q: Does your software work with Macintosh computers?
A: Sorry, not at this time.