How about a co-working day?

[mdangear]

Hello,

For those in SF on 10/5/06, I would like to suggest a Coworking day in
Sausalito.
(see http://coworking.pbwiki.com/Coworking%20events)

I have spent some time thinking about the concept of Coworking and
Telecommuting. And while I am convinced that telecommuting is the way
of the future, and Coworking environments a must to make telecommuting
a more viable or pleasant experience, I also think that it will take
time, and a lot of education, before it becomes something that can be
truly sustainable.

In the meantime, as a smooth transition towards the ideal, I think that
there is room for "Coworking days" where one day a month maybe I would
go in a Coworking environment to meet other professional who like me
work from home most of their time. This would allow the establishment
of the coworking concept without a critical need for it to be
completely sustainable from the beginning.

I was lucky enough that I have been telecommuting for a couple of years
before going full time into working from home. I am also lucky that I
have an office, and a complete setup that allows me to be self
sufficient.
But then going from telecommute where I was still going to the office
once a week to full time working from home as meant that I do not get
to socialize with corporate co-workers anymore. I meet clients and
partners, but not this guy that happens to be at the watercooler at the
same time I am and with whom I can exchange and relax.

A coworking day event is the opportunity to do that: keep working from
home where I have all I need, but go to a local Coworking place once a
month, or once a week to see who else in the neigborhood works from
home, and to get a chance to learn what they are doing.

I have a friend who owns a very cool space in beautiful Sausalito
(http://www.studiomsausalito.com/), and she has been kind enough to let
us have it for an experiment, trying to make the idea happen.

I have created a page to explain the concept and allow people
interested in the idea to sign up. check out
http://coworking.pbwiki.com/Coworking%20events

Let's see what happens...
Feedback welcome :-)

[Chris Messina]

This sounds like a great idea -- and I agree with your thoughts on the matter...

Certainly we need to be as flexible with the spaces as possible --
since the goal is to work not in isolation, but in a common, familiar,
productive environment.

I would recommend that you look at Jelly, an initiative out of New
York that's similar to what you've described:

http://coworking.pbwiki.com/Jelly
http://jellynyc.pbwiki.com/

I would also like to make it to your coworking day if possible (though
transport may be difficult)... Carpooling anyone?

Chris

--
Chris Messina
Citizen Provocateur &
Open Source Ambassador-at-Large
Work: http://citizenagency.com
Blog: http://factoryjoe.com/blog
Cell: 412 225-1051
Skype: factoryjoe
This email is: [ ] bloggable [X] ask first [ ] private

[Ted Tagami]

This sounds great. I have been using the Hat Factory in a similar way with a visit once a month or so. Count me in!

The location is incredible. There are many innovative companies over there, and the working environment is very conducive to the creative process. What a deal for $10.

I'll be driving my guilt-ridden gas-guzzling SUV from the East Bay, and would love to have less guilt by picking up some folks on the way over...room for 3 more.

- Ted

Human Powered Expedition:
www.expedition360.com/journal

[Raines Cohen]

Chris Messina wrote:
> (though
> transport may be difficult)... Carpooling anyone?

When I had a client near there in Sausalito, have the fun was taking my
bike on the ferry (or two ferries from the East Bay) to get there --
that was actually some of my most productive/inspirational time, with
views and fresh salt spray that tourists pay ten times as much to
experience. GGT line 10 runs right there from SF; others run nearby
(half-mile walk from Marin City transit center, or some of the bus pads
on 101 up above Sausalito). I've added a sample transit link to the
wiki.

R

[schlomo rabinowitz]

I agree, Raines. The best part of working in Sausalito a bit ago, was
the Ferry. It's a really good way to start and finish the day.

Schlomo
http://hatfactory.net
http://schlomolog.blogspot.com

[Brad Neuberg]

Wish I could join everyone at the coworking day comming up; the idea of having Coworking Days sounds like a great way to catalyze a coworking community in a new area. We just need a better name than Coworking Day or something... any thoughts? This could be something that can be institutionalized a bit on the coworking wiki so that the areas that don't have permanent coworking spaces can get something started easily and quickly. Its much easier to do a single day and get some people for that then to have a full blown coworking space right at the beginning.

 

Name ideas (just randomly off the top of my head - others chime in if they want):

 

Coworking Day

Dayworking

 

Brad

 

[Digital Buddha]

my kids always like taking a "field trip"

--
Ted Tagami
Universus Networks, LLC
U N I V E R S U S . N E T

Human Powered Expedition:
www.expedition360.com/journal

[aurora]

Two ferry rides! What a commute :)

Wai Yip

On 10/2/06, Raines Cohen <rai...@gmail.com> wrote:

[laurasfo]

Coworking day is a great idea! I won't be able to attend this one, but
hope to in the future.

A million accolades to the Hat Factory organizers and crew. You really
made it happen.

Unfortunately, the location doesn't quite work for me. Hopefully, I can
meet more people during Coworking day to start Hat Factory the Sequel.
=)

--Laura

[Chris Messina]

FYI, I've rented a car and can offer a ride or two if folks are interested.

I won't be going the whole day, so it might be worth it to arrange
alternative transport home.

If you need a lift, just drop me a note!

Chris

[mdangear]

Good news, looking forward to meeting with you :-)
Meanwhile if some are planning to come by bus or boat, and since it is
raining, I can go pick them up. I can be reached at 415 250 5438...

[Chris Messina]

Gah, it looks like outfitting our office is going to take up all our
time today and we won't be able to make it out after all.

I'm really bummed, so I'd like to propose making open house/open
coworking a regular thing across the coworking network... This was the
original spirit of Brad's idea and I think having a low barrier
coworking day would be a great way to build up interest and momentum.

Thanks again for the suggestion and sorry we can't make it out.

Chris

On 10/4/06, laurasfo <listen...@gmail.com> wrote:
>

[Brad Neuberg]

I love the idea of mixing it up between coworking spaces, like Chris said. Maybe we need to start having regular small parties at each space and invite folks between them to cross-fertilize.

Brad

[Brad Neuberg]

Chris, how are you outfitting your office? Did you space for another coworking space?

Best,
  Brad

[Chris Messina]

Well, we've got lights, we've got paint and we're close to action. Heh.

We'll be moving in Nov 1 and will have probably 10 total desks, many
of which are already reserved.

We do want to mix it up and make the office available for certain
coworking opportunities -- possibly an open day every other week or as
space is available. Most of this is up in the air, but we are
definitely in the process of securing 425 2nd St downtown with 1350 sq
ft...

More details as they emerge. ;)

Chris

[mdangear]

Hello,
Today turned out to be great despite the rain in the morning and a few
other things. The space is beautiful, Ted Tagami came to visit and I
think it would be worth trying again. We are planning to do another
Open Coworking day 2 weeks from now on 10/19, hopefully a few more
people can make it next time.
Meanwhile I agree that it is a good idea to also go and check out the
other spaces, I will stop by once your space is ready, and I would like
to check out the HatFactory as well since it seems they are open to
drop-ins. I do have meetings in SF every now and then, so it should be
easy to do this...

On Oct 5, 4:08 pm, "Chris Messina" <chris.mess...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Well, we've got lights, we've got paint and we're close to action. Heh.
>
> We'll be moving in Nov 1 and will have probably 10 total desks, many
> of which are already reserved.
>
> We do want to mix it up and make the office available for certain
> coworking opportunities -- possibly an open day every other week or as
> space is available. Most of this is up in the air, but we are
> definitely in the process of securing 425 2nd St downtown with 1350 sq
> ft...
>
> More details as they emerge. ;)
>
> Chris
>

> On 10/5/06, Brad Neuberg <paperairpl...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > Chris, how are you outfitting your office? Did you space for another
> > coworking space?
>
> > Best,
> > Brad
>

> > On 10/5/06, Brad Neuberg <paperairpl...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > I love the idea of mixing it up between coworking spaces, like Chris said.
> > > Maybe we need to start having regular small parties at each space and
> > invite
> > > folks between them to cross-fertilize.
>
> > > Brad
>

> > > On 10/5/06, Chris Messina <chris.mess...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > > Gah, it looks like outfitting our office is going to take up all our
> > > > time today and we won't be able to make it out after all.
>
> > > > I'm really bummed, so I'd like to propose making open house/open
> > > > coworking a regular thing across the coworking network... This was the
> > > > original spirit of Brad's idea and I think having a low barrier
> > > > coworking day would be a great way to build up interest and momentum.
>
> > > > Thanks again for the suggestion and sorry we can't make it out.
>
> > > > Chris
>

[Chris Messina]

Mmm... that does sound great! ;)

On 10/2/06, schlomo rabinowitz <sch...@gmail.com> wrote:
>