Ten years ago, there were just 50 sites on the world wide web. Now there are 10 million and the figure increases on average by 20 per cent every year. Man’s insatiable thirst for knowledge has made the internet one of the biggest phenomenon in history with millions of people “logging on” throughout the world every day. Dubai is no exception and the rise of the internet has sparked the emergence of another marvel... the internet cafe. alMATRIX.com is the latest of a number of internet cafes to log on to the new craze and it switched on its computers for business in July this year. It is now fast on its way to becoming the country’s first 24-hour internet cafe. “We currently open at 9am and close at midnight but we intend to open 24 hours very shortly,” said Anil Tejwani, the man who keeps alMATRIX.com online. “We have been very pleased with the first couple of months and hope to build on the early success with a number of membership initiatives.” Anil is certainly a fine example of how the internet can ‘grip’ you. He was an avid cyber surfer back in his native India before deciding to make a career of the internet a couple of years ago. 
Located in the shopping atrium at the Metropolitan Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, alMATRIX.com appears to have struck the right balance between coffee shop and high technology.  At present, it costs just Dhs15 for an hour’s internet access but new deals will enable ‘surfers’ to take advantage of three fantastic cash-saving offers. Members will have the choice of 10 hours usage with one hour free; Dhs500 monthly payment which will allow three hours usage every day; or Dhs600 a month for unlimited access.  The interior of the cafe compliments the futuristic image generated by the internet. There are 21 consoles, each one set in its own operating area providing plenty of space to work in.  This is unlike some internet cafes in Dubai where operators sit shoulder to shoulder with fellow users. A 256Kbps ISDN line ensures there is no faster access to the world wide web anywhere in Dubai, and users do not have to waste time logging on either as all consoles have instant access. 
It is fair to say that users are spoiled in the alMATRIX.com internet cafe as leather chairs provide the highest levels of comfort and the hospitality is first class. Waiters are on hand to provide value-for-money food and beverages, and there is also a licensed bar for the over 21s. The cafe has a smoking and non-smoking area, and printing and scanning colour facilities are also available for internet users. First time users are also welcome as Anil is on hand to provide expert advice and lessons to get started. “We have had all sorts of people coming here to use the internet and we welcome everybody, whether they have used a computer before or not,” he said.