[hackerspaces] Removing non-hackerspaces from the hackerspaces.org list?

[Koen Martens]

On Thu, May 05, 2011 at 09:16:32AM -0700, john arclight wrote:
> It seems like reviews work pretty well on sites like Yelp that list
> restaurants. Give people the info and decide for youself.
> Example:
> "Butch's Coffee Shop - 3 reviews: While they do serve coffee, it's mostly a
> leather bar where BDSM enthusiasts meet. Lattes half off on Mondays. 3/5
> stars"
> Etc.

Mr. Arclight, you once again resolve a conundrum with absolute genius!

Seriously, no trolling intended. From time to time this discussion of
'what is a hackerspace' come up on this list, with everyone trying
to promote their arbitrary definition. Eg, 'renting an office space'
is apparently something that disqualifies you as a hackerspace in 
some eyes. Others say its is community and tech. At some point I have
even seen a manifest drafted that came across as a normative 
document to decide once and for all how to give out the official
hackerspaces.org 'seal of approval'.

Well, i don't care much of these definitions. It's all in the eye of
the beholder, in my humble opinion. Yes, I myself have once thought
about removing spaces from the list. But I never did, for one because
I never wanted to decide what is a hackerspace and what not.

I'm all for this review thing Arclight proposes, as it places what
the eye of the beholder sees in the public sphere. Although I hope
we can all be adult enough about it that we don't diss other spaces
with misguided negativity.

Anyway, when I was touring US spaces together with Flyko we discussed
this. We wanted to write something of a 'hotel guide' for hackerspaces,
since we were visiting and sometimes sleeping at so much hackerspaces.

"23bshop is nicely situatied in sunny Fullerton, CA. Its unassuming
storefront hides a wealth of machinery and equipment. If you have
car-troubles, you can rest assured that these people can help you fix
it and get you back on the road.

The cozy loft offers a place to reclude and spend a quiet night. There
is no air-conditioning but the space can be ventilated. Sanitary
conditions are well enough, there is a toilet and running water. Only
cold water. You might experience some issues with the alarm system,
so make sure you know where they keep their wirecutters.

With a laundry within walking distances (European standard) and a 
coffee-shop serving an assortment of breakfast wraps, juice,
smoothies and coffee, 23b shop is the place in LA for the
hungry traveller. Good people with a sense of hopsitality."

- gmc

> 
> Arclight
>  On May 5, 2011 9:07 AM, "Buddy Smith" <buddy.smith at ieee.org> wrote:
> > On Thu, May 5, 2011 at 12:00 PM, Spike <spike at wolfplex.org> wrote:
> >>
> >> Hu hu, according http://www.ignitionalley.com/faq it's exactly how
> >> Ignition Alley is described: #community and #tech
> >>
> >> So, Buddy, according the Yves definition, "in any sense of the word"
> >> becomes "in every sense of the definition"...
> >>
> >> Good luck to get a good definition.
> >>
> >> On another hand, every people reading the page could decide by himself
> >> if it's or not an hackerspace according his own expectations. Clean
> >> the list isn't an huge priority.
> >>
> >
> > I simply don't think someone renting office space (being extra cynical
> > here) is a hacker space. It's not member owned and operated, it is
> > commercially founded and for profit.
> >
> > The problem is that now, with 3 different places listed in Atlanta, I
> > fear that it's going to continually expand to the point that someone
> > actually looking for a hackerspace here won't be able to tell what's
> > what.
> >
> > And yes, I believe Freeside is the only ACTUAL hackerspace in atlanta.
> > I hope that we have more one day, and I welcome it, but Ignition Alley
> > and other comercial coworking spaces should not be in the hackerspaces
> > list.
> >
> > --buddy
> > _______________________________________________
> > Discuss mailing list
> > Discuss at lists.hackerspaces.org
> > http://lists.hackerspaces.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss

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