[hackerspaces] BrainSeeker.org - new site from HTINK!

Thu Apr 7 19:47:24 CEST 2011

So 2 questions posed:

1) Why not add more calendaring systems?

A) Brainseeker can either become like amazon, a trusted list of  
available goods, or craigslist, kinda sleezy. If we supported say  
google calendars, how do we maintain the location of the class? How do  
we tell the title from the subject from the location from any other  
metadata? We would have to define a standard, and spaces would have to  
obey that standard, then we would also have to tell students "online  
ticketing is not available" so what if too many students show up?  
Ticketing is needed, but once you are doing ticketing you need payment  
processing, once you have payment processing you need terms and  
conditions. If there is a fully equivalent solution to eventbrite out  
there, we can support it, but it has to support a pretty complete set  
of capabilities and have a very complete API to allow us to implement  
the automation we plan for the future.

2) What about free events?

A) Yes, you would need to set up an RSVP system in eventbrite to have  
it show up in brainseeker. This is free, and is the easiest way for us  
to provide this service to hackerspaces and students. See the response  
below regarding supporting pulling events from other systems.

Naturally in the future we will support additional systems, I envision  
being able to pull free events from pure calendaring systems in the  
future, but for now we are trying to remove the complexities as we are  
in beta.

Thanks

-Eric

Quoting Michel Gallant <sfxman at gmail.com>:

> Why not add various calendar syndication protocols?
> On 2011-04-07 1:18 PM, "Eric Moore" <eric at htink.org> wrote:
>> We have that as an issue in github now, we work with hackerspaces 2 ways:
>>
>> 1) If you are currently using eventbrite, we can automatically pull
>> events via the eventbrite API to populate the site. We will review the
>> eventbrite history to ensure you are a reputable source for classes in
>> your area.
>>
>> 2) If you aren't using eventbrite, we can host your events on our
>> eventbrite. We add a flat 15% to the cost (eventbrite, paypal, and
>> admin costs), and will cut you a check when the event is completed.
>> The first couple of events are probationary, and payment is contingent
>> on no negative student feedback. We will also advertise your class on
>> the HTINK website and mailing list, including regional lists planned
>> for the future. We also can find you the instructors and students, in
>> that model we hold 33%, you get 33%, and the instructor gets 33%. The
>> space is responsible for providing access to the space, and checking
>> people in to events against a list of paid attendees, and processing
>> payments of walk ins.
>>
>> As you can see, none of this is simple, hence specifically reaching
>> out to the hackerspace list to find the best way to work together. I
>> will try to write this up more cleanly and in a more understandable
>> format as we explore this together.
>>
>> Hope that helps!
>>
>> -Eric
>>
>> Quoting Chris Weiss <cweiss at gmail.com>:
>>
>>> neat idea...
>>>
>>> one bit of confusion, the FAQ says "indicate you have events you'd
>>> like to list in the venue sign up page" yet there's no field for that,
>>> and events are going on ALL the time. Once signed up, how do we post
>>> new events?
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, Apr 7, 2011 at 11:43 AM, Eric Moore <eric at htink.org> wrote:
>>>> Hello Hackerspaces!
>>>>
>>>> HTINK is proud to announce nation wide availability of the new
> BrainSeeker
>>>> tool in the US.
>>>>
>>>> http://www.brainseeker.org/
>>>>
>>>> BrainSeeker is a tool for hackerspaces to discover what local students
> want
>>>> to learn, and advertise classes in their area.
>>>>
>>>> When people enter a zip code within your area, they will see any events
> you
>>>> have listed in the tool first. Then they will see topics people want to
>>>> teach or learn, and are able to register interest in topics.
>>>>
>>>> Once more than 15 people register interest in the same area we will
> contact
>>>> local hackerspaces and instructors to determine who wants to host an
> event.
>>>> HTINK can host the eventbrite and manage ticketing and payment
> processing,
>>>> or the hackerspace itself can.
>>>>
>>>> Below find the general announcement, please distribute the announcement
> to
>>>> your local lists if you are interested in using brainseeker to discover
>>>> classes you could be offering, or advertise events you already offer!
>>>>
>>>> Thanks!
>>>>
>>>> -The BrainSeeker Team
>>>>
>>>> ---------------------------------------------------------
>>>> BrainSeeker.org - new site from HTINK!
>>>>
>>>> HTINK is proud to announce the launch of our new product, BrainSeeker.
>>>> BrainSeeker is a tool that allows people to express interest in learning
> new
>>>> topics and attending classes. It also gives educators access to the
> tools
>>>> they need to provide these classes, and connects the students to the
>>>> instructor.
>>>>
>>>> http://www.brainseeker.org/
>>>>
>>>> We are launching BrainSeeker in the US. Log on to www.brainseeker.org to
>>>> enter your zip code and request classes in your area. We will connect
> with
>>>> local hackerspaces, community centers, schools, and other
> education-friendly
>>>> venues to find or create the classes you want.
>>>>
>>>> For potential students, BrainSeeker is a way to request classes that you
>>>> would like and also think others may be interested in. Other seekers, or
>>>> potential students, will see the class title, and can express their
> interest
>>>> using BrainSeeker. Once the idea generates enough interested students,
>>>> action will be taken to create and offer the class.
>>>>
>>>> For instuctors, BrainSeeker is a tool to see what students in your area
> want
>>>> to learn. Perhaps Seattle really wants classes on horology (the study of
>>>> clockwork), or maybe Detroit has a secret yearning for classes in
>>>> bioelectric systems. If you are an expert in a highly specialized field
> and
>>>> have always wanted to share your knowledge, BrainSeeker is the tool to
> use
>>>> to discover these opportunities.
>>>>
>>>> For spaces and venues that hold classes, BrainSeeker can be a revenue
>>>> opportunity and a way to provide meaningful services for the community.
>>>> HTINK is always seeking viable spaces to host events, and classes that
>>>> attract a large number of participants can be an important part of
> paying
>>>> the rent. We appreciate the role spaces play in providing a place for
> people
>>>> to grow, and BrainSeeker is our way of offering support and partnership.
>>>>
>>>> HTINK Cooperative Inc. is the recently completed merger of Stem2Gether
>>>> Cooperative Inc. and HTINK LLC. A cooperative social enterprise, HTINK's
>>>> mission is to provide educational opportunities and support educators.
> We
>>>> provide event coordination, professional development for school
> districts,
>>>> and logistics for classes, workshops, and corporate events.
>>>>
>>>> For more information, please email info at htink.org.
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>> Discuss at lists.hackerspaces.org
>>>> http://lists.hackerspaces.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
>>>>
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>>
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