[dorkbotpdx-blabber] Re: PDX hackerspace

[Mark Allyn]

Thank you for the clarification.

Truly,

Mark Allyn
Portland, Oregon
www.allyn.com
971-563-7588

On Sun, 12 Apr 2009, Wm Leler wrote:

> Speaking as the person who is organizing the electronics lab out at TechShop, 
> I agree with Don -- there are lots of reasons to establish a hacker space 
> outside of TechShop.  Having said that, I worry that there is a lot of 
> misinformation being tossed out about TechShop and the electronics lab 
> (OpenTechSpace). Let me try to clear some of this up (or just add to the 
> confusion):
>
>> 24/7 access to the building.
> My understanding from talking to Denney is that the goal is to have 24/7 
> access to TechShop ASAP. This might be dependent on finding volunteers to 
> staff some of the odd hours, and on demand, of course.  They will start by 
> being open until 9pm, but will expand as needed.
>
>> You get a card key if you do the full membership, FYI, unless I am 
>> misremembering.  I guess you probably don;t if you just use the
>> subsidized electronics lab.
> If you want to use the Electronics Lab under OpenTechSpace (i.e., for free), 
> you will be issued a badge just like a regular (paid) TechShop user, except 
> that it will only allow you to use the electronics and computer labs.
>
>> No paying for certification classes to use tools.
> The TechShop certification classes are only for dangerous or easily broken 
> expensive tools. We don't have any of those in the electronics lab (soldering 
> irons don't count!  Although as soon as we get some really fancy stuff, like 
> a flow soldering machine or something like that, we might need a safety 
> class). But for the most part I don't think it will be an issue with the 
> electronics or computer labs.
>
> From what little I know about hackerspace, as far as I can tell the biggest 
> difference between the hackerspace and TechShop is the  location. The price 
> the same (for a TechShop membership, compared to rent/utilities for 
> hackerspace), and you can use the electronics or computer lab through 
> OpenTechSpace for free (what a great deal!).  TechShop probably has a (big) 
> advantage in size and number of tools. The hackerspace might have the 
> advantage of giving the members more control over it, but that can be a 
> two-edged sword.
>
> OpenTechSpace is not tied to TechShop -- we definitely want to open up 
> facilities in other locations.  We have already had discussions with 
> CubeSpace and (to a lesser extent) Souk about creating other labs. So maybe 
> OpenTechSpace can help with the hacker space. If you guys are interested in 
> working with OpenTechSpace, I'm interested in talking to you.
>
> Anyway, I think it is great that you guys are setting up a hackerspace.  Let 
> me know if I can help!
>
> Wm Leler
>
>
> On Apr 12, 2009, at 7:40 PM, Donald Delmar Davis wrote:
>
>> D,
>> 
>> There are lots of reasons to establish a hacker-space outside of techshop.
>> Daniel listed most of them for this particular group. (I won't bust into 
>> the dk's here)
>> 
>> Personally I like the darwinian approach of starting one of everything and 
>> see which ones adapt.
>> (which explains why it takes me a million years to finish a song or a 
>> painting).
>> 
>> Devon,
>> 
>> I appreciate you thinking of us, I know there are several people in this 
>> group that have been wanting something like this.
>> One other thing thing I do know about this group is that they are a bit 
>> provincial and you might wanna put a couple of live bodies at the meeting 
>> tomorrow.
>> 
>> Don
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Apr 12, 2009, at 4:34 PM, dave madden wrote:
>> 
>>>> There is a group of us motivated nerds looking to build a hackerspace.
>>>> We are looking at a rental space today, and at this point it looks
>>>> like it's going to work out.
>>> 
>>> Um...any reason you're not taking advantage of the electronics lab out at 
>>> TechShop?
>>> 
>>> d.
>>> 
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