Chez Bob

Chez Bob is a department food co-op run by grad students, located in the grad student lounge (CSE 3154). Chez Bob buys food and drinks in bulk from Costco, and sells them to grad students (and faculty and staff and visitors…) at just slightly above cost.

Chez Bob runs on an honor system: food and drinks made available in the grad lounge, and people pay for them by leaving money in a box in the grad lounge.

To make things even easier, we've created the Bank of Bob (BoB) and a computer system for tracking purchases. Users can create an account, deposit money into their account, purchase items with a barcode scanner, and have the purchase price automatically deducted from their account. The BoB computer will automatically track how much each user has left to purchase food (or how much Bob is owed).

Getting Started

To get started with Chez Bob, you'll want to use the Chez Bob computer, sitting on the table between the refrigerator and soda machine.

  1. If you're an existing user go ahead and log into the system using your login name (e.g., “chezbob”). If you're a new user, choose a new name and type it in—it can be anything you choose. If you don't yet have an account, you'll be prompted to create one:
  2. Once logged in, you'll be presented with a main menu that allows you to purchase items, deposit money, edit account settings, and take other actions. To purchase an item, scan it with the barcode scanner. You'll be asked to confirm the purchase:
  3. To buy an item without a barcode, use the “Extra Items” menu item. You'll be presented with a list of items available for purchase:
  4. To add money to your account, select the “Add Money” menu item. Deposit money in the lockbox next to the computer, then record the amount of money you deposited. You may also make deposits at the soda machine (see below)—when doing so, the soda machine will automatically count the deposit, so there is no need to manually enter the amount.

Customizing Your Account

Log into your account and select the “My Chez Bob” option from the main menu (you'll need to scroll down below the first screenful of menu items). This option allows you to change various settings, such as increasing privacy (do not record the exact items you purchased) or disabling the confirmation before buying an item:

You may create a password for your account by selecting the “Password” menu item. The password will then be required when logging in to your account.

You may associate a barcode (such as the barcode from your ID card) with your account. This will allow you to log in without typing your username—simply scan your barcode at the login screen. To do so, select the “Barcode ID” menu item. Logging in with a barcode does not require entering a password, even if you have set one up.

Using the Soda Machine

One of Chez Bob's newer additions is a biometric soda machine integrated with the Bank of Bob. In addition to dispensing soda, the soda machine can function as a replacement for the classic Chez Bob computer for many transactions.

Logging In

The soda machine offers several options for logging in:

Your login at the soda machine will automatically time out. You may also log out by pressing the coin return button on the soda machine.

Depositing Cash

While logged in to the soda machine, you may deposit bills or coins in the soda machine. This money will be automatically credited to your Bank of Bob account.

Making Purchases

While logged in to the soda machine, press a button for a soda or scan a barcode with the barcode scanner on the soda machine. The item will purchased, and the price deducted from your account.

You may also make cash-only purchases at the soda machine. Without logging in, deposit cash. Then select an item for purchase. Your change will be returned to you.