I'm currently in college to obtain a BS degree in electrical engineering. Not only am I interested in computer hardware, I am also interested in circuit boards and programming. I'm a DIY kind of guy. Has anyone ever been to a hackerspace before and do you ( anyone in this lovely community) recommend I go to one? If so, share your experiences. Thanks!
ps: it's not just for the experience but also for my hunger of learning and acquiring nifty skills.
I guess they vary from place to place - if you're lucky, the one you go to is a good one and you can meet tons of cool people and get in on cool projects. Some are more welcoming/friendly than others, or more active than others, but if you find a good one, it's awesome.
I lived near one that didn't have strong leadership or energetic members, so it was a bit boring. However, they had an offshoot that did non-tech related stuff, like metal working and carpentry. Very fun.
But now I go to a very Computer Science orientated university and have found that campus groups are often far more exciting and more consistently productive. But that's just my experience, with one Hackerspace. Really, it's a gamble.
Never been to one but here's a video about one that might help you get an idea of one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CszwnFcWyok
Beware of feds at any hackerspace.
Very cool video. Thanks!
I'll definitely browse around for different hackerspaces.
Beware of feds at any hackerspace.
realy?
The true meaning of hacking isn't what you think it is.
http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/
Search your area and read the wiki. Very informative stuff
hacker-space is basically a shed where people come together pursue their hobby of making things.
hacking means: using off-the-shelf parts for another purpose then the original intent. it often looks like ill-fitting parts slapped or "hacked" together. Hacking is just the practice of saving the money and effort required to do purpose-build parts. (common practice in proof of concept type builds)
hacking is the engine that drives innovation, the current widely spread miss-understanding that hacking entails malicious intent, is suffocating innovation.
Makers & builders (i.e hackers) are usually very sensitive to conflict & require that ignorant people either do not interferer* or be willing to learn, in order to generate innovation.
*bad mouthing, nay-saying & doom predictions = interfering
The one near me is very cool! They have a lot of tools and things there and available for shared use. They're run by community members and a bunch of large universities around it have a lot of students go. Pretty much everyone's friendly and there is a "free day" every week so non-members can get a feel for what it is.