Re: [Nolug] Hacker Space HOWTO

On Wed, Jan 21, 2009 at 11:07:39AM -0600, Joey Kelly wrote:
> > And would this be a "club house" or a real "hackspace"? I think that
> > the guide sent out was pretty clear about having clear purpose and
> > rules. I can just see it getting out of hand pretty quickly,
> > especially for those people who might have family obligations. ?In
> > otherwords, you don't want the whole situation to seem "weird."
>
> Um, what's the difference between the two?

I see a big difference. One place you go to "hack" and one place you
go to "hang out".

>
> Family obligations? Please expound.

Well, everyone's situation is different, but I think you need to
consider the great possibility that significant others could
potentially see this not as a workshop or "lab" but as an escape or
hideout - equivalent to husbands spending too much time at the bar.
The poison might be different, but the effect on the family is the
same.

Some well intentioned participants may take their time there seriously
whereas their significant others might not get it. On the otherhand,
you may have good hearted and trusting significant others who may
potentially get taken advantage of.

In the former case, you're setting up even good intentioned
participants up for being tempted to lie (e.g., oh, I'm late at the
office, etc, etc). In the latter case, you're giving less admirable
individuals a means to hide various activities. And I believe my
thoughts are gender and relationship-status neutral.

Now don't get me wrong, I think it is a cool idea, but "execution" is
critical here. You can't create a geek "lodge" (ala Everyone Love's
Raymond) and call it a "hackspack". If you do, I just don't think that
you'll get the sort of people that might be crucial for anything
successful to be created.

So ask yourself, what would a significant other more likely support:

a) a clubhouse where for all they know their mate goes to geek around, or
b) a lab where their mate goes to dedicate their spare time and skills
to creating something that might potentially lead to a net gain for
the family (actual income, improved skill set, etc)

This is how I see it, and this is why I say that you need to be really
careful about simply creating a place to chill. You'll get people, but
you'll be cutting out a large portion of the family people out there
and creating a potential source of tempting escape for others.

Is there a way to avoid this? Sure there is; if it's a hangout or
club, then from the beginning put family first and be inclusive. Good
technical projects can certainly be spawned in this environment, and
at the end of the day you're doing none of those things of which I
spoke. On the other hand, if it is a serious hardcore lab, then make
it so; but put out regular newsletter and hold regular
dinners/events/etc to which families can be invited so that they see
that their mate is working on stuff and not hiding.

Brett

>
> --
> Joey Kelly
> < Minister of the Gospel | Linux Consultant >
> 01101101 01101101 01101100 01101010 00110100
> http://joeykelly.net
>
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B. Estrade
Louisiana Optical Network Initiative
+1.225.578.1920 aim: bz743
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