Hackerspace: Various Aspects To Take note of
Those who are practically unaware of the term, hackerspace is a place, facility or a community-operated workspace where likeminded individuals share similar interest, collaborate to discuss ideas, share information or work on projects relating to machining, science, technology, digital art, computers, or electronic art. Hackerspace is also known around as hackspace, hacklab and makerspace. Hackspace is practically a connecting platform, however the name may stir doubt about the aim and ethnicity of the group, one may think that this is the place mainly focus on teaming up hackers belonging to different sections of the world. But hacklab has nothing to do with hackers rather it is a community that function in collaboration on a particular technology and product. Those who take part in hacklab should have different skills and unique talent, they need to pool resources and work as a team to realize a idea. For example if a hacklab is working on a project of mechanical accessory, the community should have knowledgeable and skilled compatible individuals who have profound knowledge in computer programming, physiology, robotics, mechatronics.
Working of hacklab
However the exact working of the community varies from one place to another and the aim and objective of the community is foremost determined by its members. There is no blueprint, no set of rules or guidelines to prepare a hackerspace. The community however follows “hacker ethic”. Now if you are wondering what is the hacker ethic here referred to, here is a detail:
Ethics
- Freedom and free access in the sense of autonomy
- Complete circulation of information
- No distrust of authority
- Thinking in opposite direction especially opposite to the ‘industrial top-down style of organization’ conclusion is reached.
- Its typically peer to peer learning process
- Totally opposite to formal learning process
- Hacklab is all about sharing and cooperation
Difficulties
However hacklab may run into difficulties when it comes to building codes or about planning regulations, which may not seem appropriate or fail to maintain compliance with the set scope of activities. If their activities are suspected criminal or unethical, the concerning authority or government may ask the community to shut down or stop their working. When the community work is known to disturb the environment by releasing toxic fumes and heat, the community may have to stop their work, however after improvement; the working can be started properly. History says how number of such activities were suspended on varying grounds. Now those non profit organizations which are opened in public libraries and schools work depending on liability, cost, space and availability.
