Hackerspace: Difference between revisions
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A '''hackerspace''' or '''hackspace''' (from ''[[Hacker (computing)#Computing and technology|Hacker]]'' and ''[[Space]]'', sometimes referred to as a '''makerspace''' in reference to [[Make Magazine]].) is a [[Real life (reality)|real]] (as opposed to [[virtual]]) place where people with common interests, usually in [[science]], [[technology]], or [[digital art|digital]] or [[electronic art]] can meet, [[Socialization|socialise]] and [[Collaboration|collaborate]]. A '''hackerspace''' can be viewed as an [[open community]] [[Laboratory|lab]], [[workbench]], [[Machining|machine shop]], [[workshop]] and/or [[studio]] where people of diverse backgrounds can come together to share resources and knowledge to build/make things. |
A '''hackerspace''' or '''hackspace''' (from ''[[Hacker (computing)#Computing and technology|Hacker]]'' and ''[[Space]]'', sometimes referred to as a '''makerspace''' in reference to [[Make Magazine]].) is a [[Real life (reality)|real]] (as opposed to [[virtual]]) place where people with common interests, usually in [[science]], [[technology]], or [[digital art|digital]] or [[electronic art]] can meet, [[Socialization|socialise]] and [[Collaboration|collaborate]]. A '''hackerspace''' can be viewed as an [[open community]] [[Laboratory|lab]], [[workbench]], [[Machining|machine shop]], [[workshop]] and/or [[studio]] where people of diverse backgrounds can come together to share resources and knowledge to build/make things. |
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==Functions== |
== Functions == |
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Typical activities in hackerspaces include: |
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The specific activities that take place at hackerspaces vary from place to place. In general, hackerspaces function as centers for peer learning and knowledge sharing, in the form of workshops, presentations, and lectures. They also offer social activities for their members, including game nights and parties. They also provide space for members to work on their individual projects, or collaborate on group projects with other members. |
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* learning and sharing knowledge |
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* presentations and lectures |
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* [[social]] activities including [[game]]s and [[Party|parties]] |
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* work on individual or team projects |
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The hackerspace itself is important, because they provide the infrastructure that members need to complete their projects. In addition to space, many hackerspaces provide [[electrical power|power]], [[computer server|servers]] and [[local area network|networking]] with [[internet]]-connectivity, audio equipment, [[video projector]]s, [[game console]]s, electronics for hacking, and various tools for electronics fabrication and building things. |
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== Organization == |
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What can be done is limited to the tools that are available to the specific hackerspace. As hackerspaces around the world grow in membership and in tool capacity, the capabilities of hackerspaces grow. |
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The individual character of a hackerspace is determined by its members. Most hackerspaces are governed by elected boards selected by their paying members. Elected officers may serve predetermined terms, and help direct decisionmaking with regards to purchasing new equipment, recruiting new members, and other administrative issues. |
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* Work on small [[DIY]]er projects |
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* develop new and ongoing [[Open source hardware]] projects |
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⚫ | [[Subscription business model|Membership fees]] are usually the main income of a hackerspace, but some also accept [[Sponsor (commercial)|external sponsors]]. Some hackerspaces have [[501(c)]]3 status<ref>Pumping Station: One [[http://pumpingstationone.org/about/ about]] (accessed 19 February 2010)</ref>, while others have chosen to forgo tax exempt status. |
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* Work on personal and team [[invention]]s |
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* Work on [[art]] projects such as [[kinetic art]] |
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* [[game]] and [[Computer animation]] development |
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⚫ | |||
== Example Hackerspaces == |
== Example Hackerspaces == |
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==References== |
==References== |
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<references> |
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{{No footnotes|date=July 2009}} |
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<references/> |
<references/> |
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* [http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2008/1024/1224715113204.html Hackers need space to innovate] - [[The Irish Times]] - October 24, 2008 |
* [http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2008/1024/1224715113204.html Hackers need space to innovate] - [[The Irish Times]] - October 24, 2008 |
Revision as of 17:58, 19 February 2010
A hackerspace or hackspace (from Hacker and Space, sometimes referred to as a makerspace in reference to Make Magazine.) is a real (as opposed to virtual) place where people with common interests, usually in science, technology, or digital or electronic art can meet, socialise and collaborate. A hackerspace can be viewed as an open community lab, workbench, machine shop, workshop and/or studio where people of diverse backgrounds can come together to share resources and knowledge to build/make things.
Functions
The specific activities that take place at hackerspaces vary from place to place. In general, hackerspaces function as centers for peer learning and knowledge sharing, in the form of workshops, presentations, and lectures. They also offer social activities for their members, including game nights and parties. They also provide space for members to work on their individual projects, or collaborate on group projects with other members.
The hackerspace itself is important, because they provide the infrastructure that members need to complete their projects. In addition to space, many hackerspaces provide power, servers and networking with internet-connectivity, audio equipment, video projectors, game consoles, electronics for hacking, and various tools for electronics fabrication and building things.
Organization
The individual character of a hackerspace is determined by its members. Most hackerspaces are governed by elected boards selected by their paying members. Elected officers may serve predetermined terms, and help direct decisionmaking with regards to purchasing new equipment, recruiting new members, and other administrative issues.
Membership fees are usually the main income of a hackerspace, but some also accept external sponsors. Some hackerspaces have 501(c)3 status[1], while others have chosen to forgo tax exempt status.
Example Hackerspaces
Some examples of hackerspaces are:
- Pumping Station One in Chicago, IL
- The Cowtown Computer Congress in Kansas City
- c-base in Berlin
- Metalab in Vienna
- TOG in Dublin
- NYC Resistor in New York City
- Noisebridge in San Francisco
- HackerDojo in Mountain View, California
- Cyberpipe in Ljubljana
- Bucketworks in Milwaukee, WI
References
<references>
- Hackers need space to innovate - The Irish Times - October 24, 2008
- DIY Freaks - Wired - March 29, 2009
- Hackers seek physical space outside the virtual world - The Irish Times - April 10, 2009
- Where tinkerers take control of technology - Washington Post - April 19, 2009
- People Doing Strange Things With Soldering Irons: A Visit to Hackerspace - Xconomy - May 22, 2009
- DIY Gadgetry - BBC News - June 19, 2009
- Template:De icon Heime für Hacker - Die Zeit - Jan 17, 2009
- Template:De icon Geschichte des CCC in Köln - Chaos Computer Club - June 26, 2009
- Freeside Atlanta makes space for local hackers Creative Loafing - November 30, 2009
External links
- Hackerspaces.org, includes a comprehensive international directory of hackerspaces
- The Hackspace Foundation