[hackerspaces] Differences between hackerspaces and fablabs

[Crawford Comeaux]

We've spent a couple months doing research on hackerspaces/makerspaces/etc
for a few months while planning our space (intro message to the list coming
in next couple days).

One thing we've detected is what seems like a growing separation between
the terms hackerspace & makerspace (mostly in Europe, currently). The
two used to be interchangeable, but apparently makerspace is slowly
starting to be used to describe an overcommercialized hackerspace and/or a
hackerspace that's started abandoning the value of deep
learning/understanding. This is one of the reasons we're going to be
referring to ourselves as a hackerspace.

As for TechShop & fab lab, we've encountered examples of pretty
much everything that's been said in this thread. TechShop is just a
chain/brand. Fab lab is a bit broader & could refer to a brand,
biz models, and spaces based on the tools they contain.

As for a hackerspace definition...good luck on trying to nail that down. It
seems like the nature of hackerspaces is to keep spaces adaptable to meet
any needs of its users/community as the needs develop/emerge. And in that
situation, I'd say any definition has to be a pretty loose one that allows
for that.

Also, I could be talking completely out of my rear.

On Monday, May 12, 2014, Mark Scrano <mscrano at ieee.org> wrote:

> I'm not saying that it's exclusively that way, but I have visited
> makerspaces/fablabs that have zero interest in technology related projects.
> They may be missing out, but their demographics may just be different.
> Mark S.
>
>
> On Mon, May 12, 2014 at 3:38 PM, Al Billings <albill at openbuddha.com<javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','albill at openbuddha.com');>
> > wrote:
>
>> Obvious how? I’ve never seen a “hackerspace” that didn’t have people
>> fabricating things or a “makerspace” that didn’t have people programming.
>>
>>
>> On May 12, 2014, at 12:36 PM, Mark Scrano <mscrano at ieee.org<javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','mscrano at ieee.org');>>
>> wrote:
>>
>>  It is obvious to me that a hackerspace has more people oriented towards
>> the technology/programming side of things and makers/fabricators on getting
>> their hands dirty.
>>
>>
>> Al Billings
>> albill at openbuddha.com<javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','albill at openbuddha.com');>
>> http://makehacklearn.org
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Discuss mailing list
>> Discuss at lists.hackerspaces.org<javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','Discuss at lists.hackerspaces.org');>
>> http://lists.hackerspaces.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
>>
>>
>
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