Visions

[Michael Richardson]

I'm throwing my idea for HacklabPDX out here. It is by no means the
only one or the best one. This is a process, and I'm looking forward
to your input.

I'm interested in putting together a physical space where we can pool
resources and infrastructure, hang out with like-minded folk, have a
home for side (or not!) projects, and get involved with exciting
things happening in the area. It would also be a place for public
events, demonstrations and lectures, whatever the membership wants.

The people who would have access would be trusted, dues-paying members
of the hacklab. They would be sponsored by existing members. If a
member wants something done, they do it - they take responsibility for
it and get it done. Dues would be collected every month to help pay
for the space and any additional infrastructure.

Some phrases I have been slinging about without any thought of
consequence are, co-working for your side project, or a cooperative/
collective garage.

I've seen and heard a lot of people talk about wanting something like
this - a shared hacker space. I'm hoping to pull together all that
energy and make something happen.

Please invite anybody you think might be interested in the idea to
this list.

Thank you!

[Lokkju]

Totally agree, and it is something Anselm has been tossing around for
a while as well. I've been doing some research on physical places
here in town, since that seems to be the biggest challenge, but I've
been running into a brick wall. It used to be, you could rent
someplace in the SE warehouse district, or in NW portland, for a song,
and that would have been perfect. These days, there is really no
close in industrial districts with cheap space available. A couple
options that have come to mind are in the North portland area, near
Lombard/Columbia and Interstate, but there just isn't much empty out
there.
At least for me, the primary consideration for a space are:
- it has to be easily accessible via public transportation. I drive,
but for a lot of people, even those who bike, if you are coming from
any distance, public transit is still important
- it needs to be large. While the hackerspace design patterns do talk
about not having too large of a single room, and breaking it up, at
the same time I think the more room you have available to work with,
the better.
- it needs to be somewhere that noise is not a problem. We don't want
neighbors complaining about noise - and this goes back into being in
an industrial area or the like. Along with that, my feeling is that a
basement or top floor in a large warehouse type building (think the
old B&O) would be perfect.

Lokkju/nick

On Nov 23, 9:38 am, Michael Richardson

[wm]

Working Artists (http://www.workingartistsonline.com) claims to be
trying to purchase a building -- maybe you can work with Adrienne
Fritze to share some space.

[JasonGlaspey]

First off, can I suggest Downtown Storage? It's on 3rd and Burnside
right next to the skatepark. I worked in that building for 9 months
last year, and while no means perfect, was VERY reasonable on price,
had some great open spaces, and is very central. Some downsides are
that our unit had no sink or capability for such (made coffee harder),
my boss had to have electricity improved for our office, it got very
hot in the summer (sun-facing windows and no A/C), and of the units
I've been in, they're all just open space, not broken up into seperate
rooms. However, I know many people have had pretty much free reign to
do what they wanted with their spaces, and many have made them very
cool.

I would say it's worth looking into. And Michael, if you go down
there, ask for Debbie, and tell her Jason from Instrument sent you
(she'll at least remember Instrument). We had a very good relationship
with the people running it, so it may prevent a bunch of questions
about what a "hacklab" is.

I know there are a few artist collectives in the basement, one of
which that has steel cutting machines, welders, and all sorts of crazy
metal fabricating "art" supplies. So they're definitely open to crazy
shit going down in the building.

Jason

[JasonGlaspey]

Also, for my Vision of the place.

I really want to find a place that Portland geeks can call their own.
A place where it's fun to hang out, people are working on interesting
stuff, where you can go on a boring tuesday night and run into the
other people looking for what was happening.

Also a place where events can happen (CubeSpace doesn't need all the
fun), or a place for after parties during tech events.

In my mind, I imagine more of an Elks Lodge, something almost more of
a restaurant/bar/open hall area, with rooms and desks and wifi and a
stage and a kitchen/bar area. the hacklabbing can still be done, but
for those that are more socially driven, there's also a certain level
of comfort for those just wanting to hang out and "talk" geek. I'm big
on the drunk geek vision thinking.

In the end, I want this to be a place that feels good to be in, not
something linux dungeon (as michael put it). However, I also
understand that things grow and maybe that's a dream for 5 years down
the road. :)

jason