[dms-discuss] Maker Faire notes from other Hackerspaces

[jefftolentino]

Sarah,

Wow, this is a great, highly informative email!  Thank you so much for 
sharing.

Its reassuring to see that many other hackerspaces have been dealing 
with many of the same issues our group deals with (donations, access, 
etc).  In many cases, it seems like we are well on track with what other 
groups are doing to manage their spaces, i.e. screening donations, 
partnering with other groups, etc.  Still having this information will 
be very useful for our group as we continue to grow.

Thanks again and good work!

Jeff T




On 2014-05-21 12:34, sarah schrupp wrote:
> Got to chat up other Hackerspace folks.  Full disclosure, few data
> points; not a tinkerer, so questions were about running/organizing a
> community, and also, dont have friends in other communities like some
> of you might.
>
> Take home points were derived from people who strongly believe in the
> hacker community concept; many were still wildly enthusiastic, some
> were still believers but no longer, wide-eyed but a few were nearing
> mental collapse, yet still clinging to the positives of what a hacker
> community could offer.
>
> Surprisingly, financing according to several, was not the biggest
> issue.  In fact, some mentioned that eventually, the money started
> streaming in, but rather, keeping the organization healthy was the
> biggest hurdle.
>
> Some advice from volunteers/organizers:
>
> TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD STRUCTURE INTO A SMALL ORGANIZATION
> BEFORE IT GETS TOO LARGE, AND DONT BE AFRAID TO MODERATE POLICY AS
> NEEDS CHANGE.  No policies and no enforcement leads to chaos as well
> as creates physically unsafe and socially toxic environment. 
> (Stories about people not being willing to engage law enforcement 
> when
> really necessary.  Other related issues, lack of machine/tool safety
> tests, pets, squatters, drugs, theft and whether 24/7 ends up being
> good idea.  Some spaces will not permit sleeping, for instance.
>  Another suggested eventual space location could be out of city
> center but adjacent to bus stop, for example, become a destination,
> not a pass through.)
>
> PARTNER WITH OTHER NON-PROFITS.  They gave many instances where
> reciprocation had been invaluable, sharing funds,grants, reaching
> public, getting support, trading resources et cetera.
>
> CONSIDER CORE OBJECTIVE OF THIS HACKERSPACE; what does this community
> need?  If not much equipment to meet goals, then easier to insure and
> maintain safety.  In one instance, the "big tools" are the 3-D
> printers (upgraded from DMS ones, the $2K models) and some cnc mills.
>  (Could concentrate on fundraising just for those specific pieces of
> equipment.)
>
> COLLECT BUT SCREEN DONATIONS ELSE DMC WILL BECOME TOXIC WASTE SITE.
>  Be clear about what DMC wants to accept - for example, old Apple II
> computers are interesting and could be restored for a museum but are
> not really a part of the DMC vision.  Some donations, like a
> jackhammer and compressor, are too large or out of scope for
> hackerspace, but would be perfect for a partner non-profit, i.e.
> habitat for humanity, who later might help construct a wall or
> something.  
>
> FOCUS ON YOUTH AND FAMILIES IF POSSIBLE TO CREATE A HEALTHIER
> FINANCIAL AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT.  Kids and families bring money,
> safety, civility, grant financing, volunteers and resources into the
> community.  Parents will spend a lot of money helping their children
> learn but wont participate if the environment is unsafe or otherwise
> toxic.  Also, many volunteer mentors derive pleasure from working
> with kids and teens.
>
> VISIT OTHER HACKERSPACES AND SEE WHAT THEY ARE DOING WELL AND WHAT
> THEY WISH THEY COULD CHANGE.  (I can compile a list if anyone is
> interested, but there are many.)
>
> Example of Happy, Well-run, Non-profit Hackerspace (according to 
> other
> hackers, not me):
>
> http://www.hackerdojo.com/About [1] (Mountain View)
>
> Example of small, For-Profit (opened this space due to hacks in the
> common area of their lodging house where they didnt want it):
>
> http://rockitcolabs.com/makerspace [2] (San Francisco)
>
> Example of everything permitted, financially sound, largely
> disfunctional and socially toxic, non-profit (ran across the
> accompanying tumblr which seems to corroborate and enhance what I
> heard):
>
> https://www.noisebridge.net/wiki/About [3] (San Francisco)
>
> http://shitnoisebridgesays.tumblr.com/ [4]
>
> Btw, people had made great contacts and accomplished things at
> Noisebridge but many had fled elsewhere due to safety, theft and
> anarchy.  NB no longer seems to have a discussion page.  (Ran across
> a posting about the FBI looking into their TOR network with regards 
> to
> the Mandiant report etc.)  Lots going on there; also, lots going on
> there.  Maybe you have friends that have used that space?
>
> Be interested to hear what you have learned.  Seems like charging for
> space membership filters out some behaviors.  Sponsorships could also
> be made for parties who cant afford.  Otherwise, does DMSs CNC mill
> just become a good place to make a copy of a DO NOT Duplicate UCDavis
> Schlage key?
>
> Anyone have friends at other hacker spaces?  Be happy to contact the
> folks I met and ask any of your questions.  Also, they seem to know
> the folks at other communities.
>
> Sarah
>
>
>
> Links:
> ------
> [1] http://www.hackerdojo.com/About
> [2] http://rockitcolabs.com/makerspace
> [3] https://www.noisebridge.net/wiki/About
> [4] http://shitnoisebridgesays.tumblr.com/