USA Today

USA Today, October 2, 1991

Cafes offer coffee, computer klatches 

By Elizabeth Sher USA TODAY 

SAN FRANCISCO 

Tune in Sturp up. Log on 

The latest trend in coffee houses here is a computer network that lets espresso drinkers interface all over the Bay Area. 

Computer bulletin boards aren't new. neither are coffee and conversation. But put them all to- gether and you get SF Net The '90s coffee klatch.

 SF Net Is the brainchild of Wayne Gregori, 34, and a former computer consultant. He designed a coffee table with a builtin keyboard and monitor and convinced a dozen coffeehoused to install one.

One dollar buys 15 min utes of computer time. A "chat session" links you with cappuccino sippers in other cafes and at home computers on the network. A private session lets two talk alone. 

Gregori says that  punks with mohawk at the Horse Shoe Cafe discussing the meaning of life with staid Volvo-owners at South Beach Billiards. 

"We usually only talk to people with similar slants on issue Gregori says wanted to put this network where people could use it to communicate with people they wouldn't normally talk to." 

Says Glenna Randolph, manager of Cafe La Bohem, "It's the start of a groundswell.” At night customers wait in line to use the table. The appeal? 

"All your inhibitions disappear because you can't see the other person," Randolph says. 

Gregori plans to test- market SF Net in Seattle this fall and may add New York, Chicago and Paris.  "People get addicted to this," Randolph says. "It's kinda like watching TV."