[NCLUG] Hacker Space Anyone?

[Michael D. Wailes]

Something like this?

http://hackerdojo.pbworks.com/

Lucky suckers in Mountain View.

On 1/5/2010 11:14 PM, Paul Hummer wrote:
> Hey NCLUGers!
>
>    I've talked with a few of you now (and a few more people not on these lists)
> about the prospect of a clubhouse/coworking/hacker space type place.  I'd like
> to explore the idea more, and thought I'd bring it to the list to see what
> everyone else thinks.
>
>    You ask, "What's a Hacker Space?"  I answer "Whatever you hackers want it to
> be!"  Basically, the idea is that it's a place for like minded hackers to get
> together and work on projects and explore with each other, in a social
> environment.  Think of it as a hippie commune, but for hackers.  Members of the
> hacker space would be able to share equipment with each other so that many
> people have exposure to all sorts of toys.  For instance, tonight at Hacking
> Society, Kyle offered to let me borrow some Xbee hardware, and I invited him to
> my place tomorrow night to dig through my hardware and see if there's anything
> of interest to him.  In a hacker space, I'd just leave a box of hardware there
> for people to use at their leisure, and expect others to share in the pot.
>
>    Now you ask "Who pays for all this?"  I say, "Well, there are bills to pay,
> this is true.  If we all pitch in, they aren't that much."  After studying how
> other hacker spaces deal with financials, it seems that there is a non-profit
> organization/foundation set up to deal with paying the bills, etc.  Members of
> the hacker space pay dues on a monthly basis to that foundation, and the
> foundation takes care of dealing with all the bills for internet, building,
> electricity, etc.  It seems the going number is anything from $50-$100/mo for
> members, and they can bring along any friends that might also be interested
> (especially if they'd like to become members).
>
>    I realize that the economy sucks right now, and lots of us are on a fixed
> income.  I thought I'd just reach out across the few lists of Northern Colorado
> Supergeeks and see how many of you would be interested in paying for something
> like this.  I think it would be great for Fort Collins/Loveland/Greeley to have
> a place to go that fostered hacking and exploration for those in the area.
>
>    If this leads to a discussion on list, that's great.  If you feel more
> comfortable replying to me off list, I'm also happy to respond to your
> questions, concerns, or "Count me in!"s.
>
> Cheers,
> Paul
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