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MINUTES 07/09/2012 [ Reply ] By: Tom S on 2012-07-13 08:24	[forum:12048]
Present: Filip, Tom - we should learn to solder, put together kit for building bike light - host an event where we all build them together - discussed a public arduino workshop - maybe not such a good idea because of costs, equipment involved - event not as satisfying for attendees unless they can take what they build with them, and we can't give out arduinos. People might not attend if they need to pay for arduinos & parts - use arduinos for internal co.lab projects (e.g. learn to mesh arduinos) - LaunchPad (Texas Instruments' entry into arduino market, cost around $4 or $5. Not open-source, but cheap http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TI_MSP430 - possibly have public event or workshop using these, cheap enough for people to take home - FreeSchool - have class where people can come in, build something, take what they build home - basic electronics workshop (e.g. build a bike light) - intermediate workshop (e.g. radio) - bike light can be easy

MINUTES 25/06/2012 [ Reply ] By: Tom S on 2012-06-26 17:35	[forum:12030]
Minutes from June 25th CO.LAB meeting Present: Jeremy, Tom, Jeff FREECULTURE.LAB RECAP - agreed that preparation & set-up at EVAC should have been done sooner - decided that future workshops and events should involve a run-through before the start (particularly ones that involve presentations) and that speaking roles should be arranged before-hand to avoid re-iterating each other's points - online promotion (e.g. facebook, etc) should begin no later than a week before event - co.lab members can each be given event promo posters to put up in their part of town so that events can be promoted further across the city - [note: maybe we can discuss getting several staple guns for co.lab members to use for this purpose? -Tom] - discussed possibility of doing freeculture.lab workshop again in the future, maybe when students are in town (can re-use existing material, can refine & improve the presentation) LINUX INSTALL FEST - bring as many powerbars and ethernet cables as we can spare - we still need to pick up Lightscribe DVDs to have software disks ready [I will have a look at Computer Liquidators for Lightscribe DVDs or will buy USB sticks if they're a good deal. Any contributions towards the cost will be appreciated -Tom] - bring router, Tom can bring wireless Linksys router [I have a regular wired-only one too, and a wireless Netgear, just so we know -Tom] - speak to Morgan about installing Ubuntu on the iMac as an activity for the linux install fest - Jeff will download PowerPC repos for apt server UPCOMING PROJECT/WORKSHOP/EVENT IDEAS DISCUSSION - simple circuits workshops- build simple circuits on breadboards - price bulk electronic components at online suppliers - make those panels with springs (like in those electronic hobby labs) as an alternative to breadboards - online security workshop - Jeff says he already has material written up for something similar he's done before - discussed that this might be a good idea for the next workshop OTHER - discussed problems with using ourproject.org, such as the site being very slow and frequently off-line - discussed possibility of moving some work off of ourproject, e.g. using UbuntuOne for sharing files and docs - issue was raised that we've switched services already, and how many times must we switch services until we get our own infrastructure up and running - decided that ourproject.org and email are good enough for now. - utilize ourproject.org's tasks list to better co-ordinate people working on stuff - start future project/workshop/event brainstorming forum on OurProject - create forum for writing a canned "What is CO.LAB" blurb for promotion, etc on OurProject - likewise create a forum for on-going work on business cards & other stock promo material - on-going workshops and projects (e.g. a programming group) can be scheduled for alternating weeks so there aren't multiple projects per week requiring heavy weekly time investment of co.lab members (at least until more people are involved enabling frequent events and multiple sub-projects) - Mitch Brogan is pledging $800 towards ArduSat (the Arduino Satellite), a public satellite project. An $800 pledge allows to control the satellite's instruments for a week, and he's looking anyone interested in coming up with cool stuff to do with the ArduSat http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/575960623/ardusat-your-arduino-experiment-in-space

MINUTES 06/04/2012 [ Reply ] By: Tom S on 2012-06-06 06:40	[forum:11677]
Since there was a smaller group present today, this meeting was fairly informal and focused primarily on discussing presentation materials for FreedomCulture.Lab, and unfortunately there were no minutes taken during the course of the meeting. As a result, these "minutes" will all be from memory. It's late at night, and let's just say I've been listening to a lot of jazz music so I can't guarantee I'll be able to recall everything. Please add notes if think I'm missing anything, such as the word "you" in this sentence. -Tom Present: Tom, Jeremy, Morgan, Ian LOGOS - Filip sent co.lab and freeculture.lab logos that he created co.lab logo: http://imgur.com/XpbaL freeculture.lab logo: http://i.imgur.com/MS69l.png - general approval of logos among everyone present - was suggested that the colour of the "." in logos be changed to the same colour as "lab" because the ".lab" is the part that is consistent across both logos - was pointed out that because the word "freeculture" was all lowercase and combined into one word, "freeculture.lab" looks like it might be a url [NOTE: my suggestion that perhaps changing the first letters in "free" and "culture" to uppercase to correct this issue probably isn't a good suggestion because changing the case would break the consistency between the co.lab and freeculture.lab logos. There were other suggestions which I thought might be pretty good but I don't think I remember them precisely enough to list here correctly. Perhaps those who made them can elaborate in the comments below so we have an accurate record. -Tom] - was suggested that the where & when info on the logo should be more detailed , e.g. full EVAC name & location REGARDING DESCRIBING CO.LAB AS A "HACKLAB" - was suggested that we refer to co.lab as a "make lab" or "makerspace" or something along those lines instead of "hacklab" or "hackerspace" when describing the project to non-technical people to avoid being understood according to popular notions and misconceptions of what "hacking" means - the word "make" might communicate the ideas behind co.lab a bit more intuitively - was pointed out that perhaps we ought to try to reclaim the word "hacking" so that it's understood more as a creative and constructive activity FREECULTURE.LAB PRESENTATION FORMAT & AGENDA - Ian created a draft agenda during the meeting which I believe he will be posting either on the forums or in the docs section so we can adjust & refine it as more material is collected - was suggested that we have the DRAFT AGENDA SETTLED BY THIS WEEKEND (June 9th/10th) so we can focus on writing & editing the material - some of the videos posted in the FreeCulture.Lab discussion (such as Eben Moglen's talk at FOSDEM) can be used to provide a direction & points of focus for the presentation - useful quotes from the lectures and parts of other videos can be edited into a video presentation - PROMOTION FOR FREECULTURE.LAB SHOULD START THIS WEEKEND (June 9th/10th), have posters & cards ready to print LINUX INSTALL WORKSHOP [NOTE: after scouring the minutes from previous meetings and my brainial memory, it looks like we haven't settled on a name for this event. We should take care of this soon. -Tom] - Jeff has set up an apt server with Ubuntu 12.04 repositories for 32 and 64 bit architectures for the workshop, has indicated that he might set up Debian respositories as well - was suggested that we decide on a list of software to include in the USB software bundles by this weekend [NOTE: since freeculture.lab is coming up soon perhaps we should make the presentation a higher priority for this weekend and have until the next meeting for software list? - Tom] - we should start contacting artists to see who's interested in helping out with artwork for DVDs and USB sticks.

MINUTES 05/28/2012 [ Reply ] By: Tom S on 2012-06-06 06:39	[forum:11676]
Present: Jeremy, Ian, Tom, Morgan, Jeff, Filip - Name of FOSS workshop: FreeCulture.Lab (note: should it be uppercase like our name? Would that even look good? -Tom) -Ideas for information: Richard Stallman talks, Stephen Fry on GNU 25th Anniversary Video, CreativeCommons promo videos, Seeds For Change site (I've considered using this as a basis or prototype for a larger document about free software before, specifically written with social/political activist groups in mind -Tom) http://www.seedsforchange.org.uk/free/freesoft - create a pamphlet on free software/copyright issues - possibly buy USB sticks in bulk to sell with a collection of free software and a linux distro - look into artists who can help with CD labels, logo, possibly painting a USB stick - possible workshop fees? - possibly talk to Pam from Old East Studios about space for CO.LAB workshops, possibly setting up workshops for small local businesses. - discussed finding materials for presentation, will post as we find online - possible activity or backup materials to prevent "dead air" - determine framework/agenda of presentation for June 4th meeting - Think of a list of software that should be included. Which distro? - Linux Mint? Fedora? Ubuntu has a good support network - set up internet at EVAC - under Tom's name

MINUTES 05/21/2012 [ Reply ] By: Tom S on 2012-06-06 06:39	[forum:11675]
These are the minutes from the May 21st CO.LAB General Meeting. Some of the decisions made include expanding the scope the FOSS workshop to cover free culture in general, have it as a separate event from the Linux install workshop. The FOSS/Free Culture event will be held at EVAC on JUNE 21 AT 6 PM as a lead-up to the linux install workshop which will be held the following week. We will also take the week to gather material to use for the presentation, and think of some names for the workshop and presentation so that we can decide on one at the May 28th meeting. *PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE "TO-DO" LIST AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MINUTES* ~~~~~AGENDA~~~~~ - suggest recording who's present at meeting in minutes - Linux Workshop (date, logistical details, promotion, presentation materials) - workshop needs a name for promotional purposes - EVAC internet connection ATTENDEES: Morgan, Jeremy, Tom, Filip ~~~~~MINUTES~~~~~ ATTENDANCE - agreed that minutes take note of who's present at meetings to record who was involved in decision-making LINUX WORKSHOP - hold general FOSS workshop/presentation first, do linux install workshop the following week (gauge interest in linux install fest among FOSS workshop attendees) - Thursday June 21st date for FOSS presentation, Linux install workshop following week - possible name: free software series (part one is intro, philosophy, part two is linux install) - sign in sheet, request people indicate their computer model - presentation can be broader than just free software but can cover free culture in general, tie it into name of event - look for material online that can be used for slideshow/presentation at workshop, post on google group - slideshow should be "airy" and as non-technical as possible so it doesn't intimidate non-technical people (not use words like "kernel") - structure in same was as "linux in easy steps" book structures material. Lots of pictures and graphics - LUG main website might have promo material for linux and FOSS - contact chrw, internet radio about doing a promo (see if it's free) - ask MEL to do an EVAC mailout, two weeks and one week in advance - make rave cards, make sure people get them two weeks in advance(should coincide with postering, Mel's evac mailout) - FOSS presentation workshop can start at 6PM - take week to think of name, decide name at next meeting INTERNET CONNECTION - linux install event and EVAC in general needs internet connection (will have to set up router in living room) - for next week have all necessary info for EVAC internet connection so it can be implemented following week TO-DO LIST FOR THE WEEK - come up with some ideas for name of FOSS/Free Culture presentation and Linux install workshop so we can decide on a name at next meeting - look for FOSS/Free Culture presentation materials online that can be used for slideshow and presentation, post on google group - investigate internet options for EVAC so it can be implemented next week

MINUTES 05/14/2012 [ Reply ] By: Tom S on 2012-06-06 06:38	[forum:11674]
~~~~AGENDA~~~~ - Ubuntu & Linux Mint material – how long will it take to arrive? - Date of linux workshop may be dependent on canonical & mint material - Licensing and revision control for OurProject.org - workshop logistics – agenda, presentations, etc - workshop media & materials - OurProject.org revision controls & licenses - computer recycling program ~~~~MINUTES~~~~ UBUNTU & LINUX MINT MATERIAL -Filip indicated in an email that the http://www.ubuntu.com/shipit that sends out DVDs and promotional materials has closed. -suggested we might raise 20 dollars and purchase some dvds, pens, mousepads from http://shop.canonical.com/ -also suggested we look for free media (videos, tutorials, etc) online. DATE OF LINUX WORKSHOP -no further development on this matter. [edit: perhaps we should resolve this at the next meeting? -Tom] OURPROJECT.ORG - all opinions voiced indicated unanimous agreement on CC Share-alike license (note: this is not the CC Share-alike non-commercial license) - SVN for revision control WORKSHOP LOGISTICS - discussed whether this should be a one-time workshop or on-going thing, was suggested we ask attendees for feedback on this matter - gear it towards an install-fest type workshop, since there may be non-linux users attending who are simply curious about linux and FOSS. - put together a "what is Open Source/why it matters" presentation - EVAC has projector for presentations - possible focus for installfest: "Resurrect your old computer!" - demonstrate the practicality and versatility of linux by showing how it can revitalize old computers - start google groups conversation about linux workshop COMPUTER RECYCLING PROGRAM - refurbishing computers may be a possible means of revenue - may need dedicated workshop if ongoing thing - may be time/labour intensive - if there's enough interest down the line, look into getting dedicated space - determine how much time & effort involved in restoring old computers to determine what time commitments this may require OTHER IDEAS - have a developing station for PCBs - breadboards might be worth budgeting for - soldering workshop - ask if Thesis Sahib wants to do a circuit-bending workshop, if he wants to host or collaborate

MINUTES 05/10/2012 [ Reply ] By: Tom S on 2012-06-06 06:37	[forum:11673]
TREASURY -Morgan volunteered last week -suggested adding one or two additional people to treasury -Morgan said she'll ask Jeremy if he's interested as he's already involved with EVAC treasury NAME -decided on CO.LAB as the official name of the hacklab. -discussed the possibility that the name of the hacklab can be independent of the name of the venue or location we have events at, for example "CO.LAB meets weekly at the DigiKitchen" or something like that OUTREACH -discussed having contacted other people about the hacklab who have expressed interest in participating to some degree. James Kirkpatrick was also contacted, expressed enthusiasm about collaborating ONLINE WIKI HOSTING SERVICES -discussed some research that was done on various free wiki hosting services -compared some services listed on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_wiki_farms -general aggreement that OurProject.org is a good service that can be used by the lab -discussed acquiring our own domain, CO.LAB wiki and forum can be hosted there -agreed that free service like OurProject.org was more within reach in the short term, content can always be migrated to own domain once that is established FIRST PROJECT -agreed that a Linux How-To Workshop For Beginners was an excellent first project that required minimum resources -suggested we contact Linux Mint and Ubuntu about our lab and the Linux workshop for free material, install CDs & linux swag -agreed that workshop should be held at a yet-to-be-determined date about a couple weeks away to give plenty of time for preparation and publicizing -Morgan said workshop can be held at EVAC, since she was going to contribute funds to cover EVAC rent anyway, funds can be contributed on behalf of CO.LAB LINUX FOR BEGINNERS WORKSHOP, presentations & such - basic terminal commands - guide people through linux installs on a VM or netbook to give users opportunity to gain experience & confidence in what's involved in the linux install process - explain how the filesystem works and how the directory is laid out - how to use apt-get - man pages - how to google solutions to problems - introduction to ubuntu/linux forums - have some people familiar with Windows & Mac to field related questions, and to create environment that is inclusive to non-linux users

MINUTES 05/03/2012 [ Reply ] By: Tom S on 2012-06-06 06:37	[forum:11672]
**** MINUTES FROM MAY 3 2012 MEETING **** EXCHANGED INFO ABOUT OTHER HACKLABS - LVL 1 has “boneyard” of assorted old parts and electronics for members to experiment with - teckshop a good example of long-term aims - they do safety training - generate revenue by doing custom fabrication - offer coaches that provide guidance for projects and members - NYC resistor has different nights i.e. Nights where people work with lasers, arduinos, have experts that come in to do programming, etc - May 16th or 19th having interactive open night - makezine referrred to a forum where hackerspaces can communicate and collaborate - makezine has kits for sale - Instructables has step by step DIY projects - UN Lab - $20/month per person to use facilities, open to members of public as long as people use it productively PROPOSED NAMES -hackhouse -Openlab -London hackhouse -Digikitchen -Makerskitchen -hacketeria -magiclab EMAIL ACCOUNT -provided password to london.hacklab@gmail.com <mailto:london.hacklab@gmail.com> to Ian and Mohamed -tabled issue of designating who actually manages the email account until future (next?) meeting with more people present TREASURY - reserve funds for equipment, parts & consumables -Morgan offered to manage the treasury PROJECTS - organize an event to have a project to work on, to draw participants (& donations) and so we're not just having meetings -FOSS/Linux workshop can be good project to start with - look into getting projector - suggested we collaborate with Thesis - make up own kits and sell at workshops & events - organize events and hacking & building competitions to raise revenue

MINUTES 04/28/2012 [ Reply ] By: Tom S on 2012-06-06 06:35	[forum:11671]
Minutes from April 28 Hacklab meeting AGENDA ITEMS -Organizational Structure -EVAC -Membership and Organization -Group email account/online presence and promotion ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE -Look at other hackerspaces to to see different organizational structures -Metrix -Corporate business-like structure -run by one guy who maintains and bottomlines the organization -LVL 1 -Cooperative organization -Tech Shop -builds products/devices to sell for revenue -Makezine.com -info on organizing hacklabs -LUG (Linux User Group) -NYC Resistor -really good -well organized -have classes -discussed non-permanent/rotating roles within group (resistant to cliques & entrenched roles forming) -can provide opportunity for people to develop group coordination/organizing skills EVAC -find out when EVAC meeting is, send someone(s) to meeting to explain what we are, what we might use space for, discuss schedule/availability and rates [update: EVAC meetings are Sundays! Morgan reminded me that I should know this because I've attended meetings. Huzzah! -Tom] -if use EVAC, get moisture-proof tubs to store shit in basement [update: this should probably be discussed with EVAC first -Tom] -plan what we'll do with/at EVAC, have some projects that can make worthwhile use of the space -library is an option- at least for first few meetings until more people involved MEMBERSHIP & ORGANIZATION -membership fees as a possible way to generate revenue -some labs have open lab nights for casual “non-members” and other nights when “members” can work on specific projects -determine roles/responsibility for members and non-members -for example non-members not obliged to attend meetings -members can supervise use of resources/equipment/tools by non-members on non-member nights -have non-monetary contribution options available for members -discussed if PWYC or “suggested donation” model can provide sufficient or consistent revenue -form treasury to be ready to accept donations -discussed coming up with group philosophy or “core values” as a possible way to prevent/resolve possible dilemmas or conflicts -might prevent future participants from veering the lab away from or operating contrary to founding values -discussed possibility of incorporation and renting own space as possible long-term goals GROUP EMAIL ACCOUNT/ONLINE PRESENCE AND PROMOTION -addressed some pros/cons of using social media & other online media (such as proprietary online media, and media that supports open standards and formats) -facebook group can promote space and/or refer to “official” group page -create wiki -collaborate online to think of a name for group -interim email address for group until we come up with a name -collaborating on name for group can be done on Google Groups -if someone who can't come to meeting wants to suggest an item for discussion, have way to submit via online or email NEXT MEETING -agreed next meeting for Thursday May 3rd, 7pm at Tom and Jeremy's place

MINUTES [ Reply ] By: Tom S on 2012-06-06 06:31	[forum:11670]
Minutes from meetings will be posted in this thread. People can post comments to add info, make corrections/clarifications, discuss issues covered by the meeting, etc. If you are posting minutes, please maintain consistent subject line format. All minutes are posted as their own thread within the "Minutes" thread. Set the board to "nested" or "threaded" format so you can see which thread you're posting to. Likewise if you are posting comments, make sure they are posted in the correct thread pertaining to the minutes you are commenting on.