Hackerspace
Encyclopedia
A hackerspace or hackspace (also referred to as a hacklab, makerspace or creative space) is a location where people with common interests, often in computer
s, technology
, science
, or digital
or electronic art
(but also in many other realms) can meet, socialise
and/or collaborate
. Hackerspaces can be viewed as open community lab
s incorporating elements of machine shop
s, workshop
s and/or studio
s where hackers can come together to share resources and knowledge to build and make things.
Many hackerspaces participate in the use and development of free software
, open hardware, and alternative media
. They are often physically located in infoshop
s, social center
s, adult education
centers, or on university campuses, but may relocate to industrial or warehouse space when they need more room.
, in the form of workshops, presentations, and lectures. They usually also offer social activities for their members, such as game nights and parties. They typically provide space for members to work on their individual projects, or to collaborate on group projects with other members. Hackerspaces may also operate computer tool lending libraries, or physical tool lending libraries.
The building or facility the hackerspace occupies is important, because it provides physical infrastructure that members need to complete their projects. In addition to space, most hackerspaces provide electrical power, computer servers and networking
with Internet
connectivity. Well-equipped hackerspaces may provide machine tool
s, audio equipment, video projector
s, game consoles, electronic instrumentation (such as oscilloscopes and signal generators), electronic components and raw materials for hacking, and various other tools for electronics fabrication and building things. Some hackerspaces provide food storage and food preparation equipment, and may teach courses in basic or advanced cooking. Tools and material for sewing, craft, and art are also important at many hackerspaces.
Membership fees
are usually the main income of a hackerspace, but some also accept external sponsors. Some hackerspaces in the US have 501(c)3 status (or the equivalent in their jurisdiction), while others have chosen to forgo tax exempt status. University-affiliated hackerspaces often do not charge an explicit fee, but are generally limited to students, staff, or alumni, although guests from other hackerspaces are usually welcome to visit. Some hackerspaces accept volunteer labor in lieu of membership fees, especially from financially-limited participants.
There is a loose, informal tradition at many hackerspaces of welcoming visitors from other similar organizations, whether across town or internationally. Free exchange of ideas, skills, and knowledge are encouraged, especially at periodic gatherings sometimes called "build nights" or "open house days".
and Frank Apunkt Schneider released a critical pamphlet about this struggle. The discussion is still ongoing.
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
s, technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
, science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
, or digital
Digital art
Digital art is a general term for a range of artistic works and practices that use digital technology as an essential part of the creative and/or presentation process...
or electronic art
Electronic art
Electronic art is a form of art that makes use of electronic media or, more broadly, refers to technology and/or electronic media. It is related to information art, new media art, video art, digital art, interactive art, internet art, and electronic music...
(but also in many other realms) can meet, socialise
Socialization
Socialization is a term used by sociologists, social psychologists, anthropologists, political scientists and educationalists to refer to the process of inheriting and disseminating norms, customs and ideologies...
and/or collaborate
Collaboration
Collaboration is working together to achieve a goal. It is a recursive process where two or more people or organizations work together to realize shared goals, — for example, an intriguing endeavor that is creative in nature—by sharing...
. Hackerspaces can be viewed as open community lab
Laboratory
A laboratory is a facility that provides controlled conditions in which scientific research, experiments, and measurement may be performed. The title of laboratory is also used for certain other facilities where the processes or equipment used are similar to those in scientific laboratories...
s incorporating elements of machine shop
Machining
Conventional machining is a form of subtractive manufacturing, in which a collection of material-working processes utilizing power-driven machine tools, such as saws, lathes, milling machines, and drill presses, are used with a sharp cutting tool to physical remove material to achieve a desired...
s, workshop
Workshop
A workshop is a room or building which provides both the area and tools that may be required for the manufacture or repair of manufactured goods...
s and/or studio
Studio
A studio is an artist's or worker's workroom, or the catchall term for an artist and his or her employees who work within that studio. This can be for the purpose of architecture, painting, pottery , sculpture, scrapbooking, photography, graphic design, filmmaking, animation, radio or television...
s where hackers can come together to share resources and knowledge to build and make things.
Many hackerspaces participate in the use and development of free software
Free software
Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
, open hardware, and alternative media
Alternative media
Alternative media are media which provide alternative information to the mainstream media in a given context, whether the mainstream media are commercial, publicly supported, or government-owned...
. They are often physically located in infoshop
Infoshop
An infoshop is a storefront or social center that serves as a node for the distribution of political information, typically in the form of books, zines, stickers and posters. Infoshops often serve as a meeting space and resource hub for local activist groups....
s, social center
Social center
Social centers are community spaces. They are buildings which are used for a range of disparate activities, which can be linked only by virtue of being not-for-profit. They might be organizing centers for local activities or they might provide support networks for minority groups such as prisoners...
s, adult education
Adult education
Adult education is the practice of teaching and educating adults. Adult education takes place in the workplace, through 'extension' school or 'school of continuing education' . Other learning places include folk high schools, community colleges, and lifelong learning centers...
centers, or on university campuses, but may relocate to industrial or warehouse space when they need more room.
Functions
The specific activities that take place at hackerspaces vary from place to place. In general, hackerspaces function as centers for peer learning and knowledge sharingKnowledge sharing
Knowledge sharing is an activity through which knowledge is exchanged among people, friends, or members of a family, a community or an organization....
, in the form of workshops, presentations, and lectures. They usually also offer social activities for their members, such as game nights and parties. They typically provide space for members to work on their individual projects, or to collaborate on group projects with other members. Hackerspaces may also operate computer tool lending libraries, or physical tool lending libraries.
The building or facility the hackerspace occupies is important, because it provides physical infrastructure that members need to complete their projects. In addition to space, most hackerspaces provide electrical power, computer servers and networking
Local area network
A local area network is a computer network that interconnects computers in a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, or office building...
with Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
connectivity. Well-equipped hackerspaces may provide machine tool
Machine tool
A machine tool is a machine, typically powered other than by human muscle , used to make manufactured parts in various ways that include cutting or certain other kinds of deformation...
s, audio equipment, video projector
Video projector
A video projector is an image projector that receives a video signal and projects the corresponding image on a projection screen using a lens system. All video projectors use a very bright light to project the image, and most modern ones can correct any curves, blurriness, and other...
s, game consoles, electronic instrumentation (such as oscilloscopes and signal generators), electronic components and raw materials for hacking, and various other tools for electronics fabrication and building things. Some hackerspaces provide food storage and food preparation equipment, and may teach courses in basic or advanced cooking. Tools and material for sewing, craft, and art are also important at many hackerspaces.
Organization
The individual character of a hackerspace is determined by its members. Many hackerspaces are governed by elected boards selected by active members in good standing. Elected officers may serve predetermined terms, and help direct decisionmaking with regards to purchasing new equipment, recruiting new members, formulating policy, conforming to safety requirements, and other administrative issues.Membership fees
Subscription business model
The subscription business model is a business model where a customer must pay a subscription price to have access to the product/service. The model was pioneered by magazines and newspapers, but is now used by many businesses and websites....
are usually the main income of a hackerspace, but some also accept external sponsors. Some hackerspaces in the US have 501(c)3 status (or the equivalent in their jurisdiction), while others have chosen to forgo tax exempt status. University-affiliated hackerspaces often do not charge an explicit fee, but are generally limited to students, staff, or alumni, although guests from other hackerspaces are usually welcome to visit. Some hackerspaces accept volunteer labor in lieu of membership fees, especially from financially-limited participants.
There is a loose, informal tradition at many hackerspaces of welcoming visitors from other similar organizations, whether across town or internationally. Free exchange of ideas, skills, and knowledge are encouraged, especially at periodic gatherings sometimes called "build nights" or "open house days".
Criticism
In 2009 there was a debate about inclusionism and exclusionism within the hackerspaces community, Johannes GrenzfurthnerJohannes Grenzfurthner
Johannes Grenzfurthner is an Austrian artist, writer, curator, director.He has published numerous books, essays and articles on contemporary art, science and philosophy....
and Frank Apunkt Schneider released a critical pamphlet about this struggle. The discussion is still ongoing.
Notable hackerspaces
The wiki maintained by Hackerspaces.org (see #External links) includes an extensive and up-to-date listing of hackerspaces worldwide. Some better-known examples of hackerspaces are:- C-baseC-basec-base e. V. is a non-profit association of about 300 members located in Berlin, Germany. The purpose of this association is to increase knowledge and skills pertaining to computer software, hardware and data networks. The association is engaged in numerous related activities...
in Berlin - The Cowtown Computer Congress in Kansas City
- CyberpipeKiberpipaKiberpipa is a hackerspace in Ljubljana, Slovenia, established in 2001 as a part of the K6/4 Institute.The hackerspace operates as a cultural centre, computer laboratory and Internet café...
in Ljubljana, Slovenia - HacDCHacDCHacDC is a hackerspace in Washington, D.C. and a 501 nonprofit. According to the HacDC website, "HacDC members improve the world by creatively rethinking technology. We break, build, and occasionally abuse technology in the pursuit of greater knowledge about how it works and re-purposing it to...
in Washington, DC - Hacker Dojo in Mountain View, California
- i3Detroit in Detroit, MI
- Site 3 coLab in Toronto, ON
- MetalabMetalabThe Metalab is a hackerspace in Vienna's central first district.Founded in 2006, it is a meeting place of the Viennese tech community, hosting events from culture festivals to user groups....
in Vienna, Austria - Metrix Create:Space in Seattle, USA
- Garoa in São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratório Hacker de Campinas in Campinas, Brazil
- NoisebridgeNoisebridgeNoisebridge is an award winning anarchistic educational hackerspace in San Francisco, inspired by the Chaos Computer Club and other hacker organizations. It is a registered non-profit California corporation, with IRS 501 charitable status...
in San Francisco - NYC ResistorNYC ResistorNYC Resistor is a hackerspace in New York, inspired by Chaos Computer Club and other hacker organizations. According the NYC Resistor's website, "NYC Resistor is a hacker collective with a shared space located in downtown Brooklyn...
in New York City - Null Space Labs in Los Angeles
- Pumping Station OnePumping Station OnePumping Station: One is a non-profit organization, commonly referred to as a hackerspace, in Chicago, Illinois. It is modeled after similar organizations located in the United States and Europe...
in Chicago - PSUT Electronics and Robotics Club (PERC) in Amman , Jordan
- TOGTOG (hackerspace)TOG is a hackerspace in Dublin, Ireland. tóg is a word in the Irish language; one of its meanings is 'to build or construct'.- History :It was started in January 2009. The space opened in May 2009...
in Dublin, Ireland - London HackspaceLondon HackspaceLondon Hackspace is a non-profit hackerspace in London, UK, established in 2009. Originally located in Islington, it moved to Hoxton in July 2010...
in London, UK - Makerspace in Newcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
- Hackerspace Charlotte in Charlotte, NC, USCharlotte, North CarolinaCharlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
- XinCheJian 新车间 in Shanghai, China
- Tetalab in Toulouse, France
- Le Loop in Paris, France
- Labitat in Copenhagen. Denmark
- Hal9k in Aalborg, Denmark.
- Tokyo Hackerspace in Japan
- Hack Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, USA.
- Build Brighton HackspaceBuild Brighton HackspaceThe Build Brighton Hackspace is a non-profit hackerspace in Brighton, UK, established in 2009.- Founding :The group was formed by Emily Toop on 15th August 2009 at a meeting at The Skiff, Brighton, after discussion on the Brighton New Media and Robot Brighton mailing lists...
in Brighton, UK. - VHS in Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Nottingham Hackspace in Nottingham, UK
- shackspace in Stuttgart, Germany.
- Black Lodge Research in Redmond, USA.
- HackJam at DimSum Labs in Hong Kong, China.
External links
- Hackerspaces.org, includes a comprehensive international directory of hackerspaces
- The Hackspace Foundation for UK Hackerspaces
- Hackerspaces, Members And Involvement (2010 Survey study results)
- Peer Production Communities Survey (2011 Survey study results)
- Business models for Open Hardware and Hackerspaces
- Cyberpipe