by Tony Cartalucci
May 4, 2013
from LocalOrg Website
 

Citizen Science Quarterly recently published a feature titled, "Hackerspaces @ the_beginning (the book)," summarizing the 108 page book which chronicles the creation, challenges and successes of hackerspaces around the world.

Published by Bre Pettis (of Makerbot fame, co-founder of the NYC Resistor hackerspace), Astera Schneeweisz, and Jens Ohlig, it represents three years of research and documentation presented in an easy-to-read narrative. 

Hackerspaces, for those that do not know, are physical spaces where people meet and work on projects related to science and technology. Functioning much like a gym where you pay dues to gain access to exercising equipment, hackerspaces collect dues to pay for the space and tech equipment.

The importance of these "local institutions" is that they allow ordinary people to directly work on and advance modern technology - ranging from computers and 3D printers, to synthetic biology and homebrewed drones.

The democratization of this technology is of absolute importance to prevent an increasingly dangerous technological divide between special interests and the masses.



 

Hackerspaces @ the_beginning (the book)
by Jacob Shiach

September 1, 2011

from CitizenScienceQuarterly Website
 

If you were studying the evolution of hackerspaces the year 2008 would stick out as the “cambrian explosion”.

It was when the movement grew from being 2 or 3 spaces in Europe, to hundreds of hackerspaces around the world. And it was in 2008 when Bre Pettis, Astera Schneeweisz, and Jens Ohlig began chronicling the beginning of these new spaces.

Three years later they are now offering that chronicle free for the world to read. If you are planning on starting a hackerspace or similiar creative space and your mind is filled with excuses on why you shouldn't start one.

This book is a must read, showing you really have no excuse not to start one.

Download 'HackerSpaces - The Beginning!'