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This page should be used to introduce the HackerSpace movement to NON-TECHNICAL people in as many Languages as possible that make sense in the Grand-Duchy (lu,de,fr,en,pt)
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[[Has description::This page tries to answer the most common questions one could have regarding this project.]] If your question is not answered here, please feel free to send an email to info_AT_hackerspace_DOT_lu.
 
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==What is a Hackerspace?==
 
==What is a Hackerspace?==
 
A Hackerspace is simply put <b>a Space for Hackers</b>.
 
A Hackerspace is simply put <b>a Space for Hackers</b>.
It is a place where people interesting in technology can meet, socialise, talk and collaboratively work on projects.
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It is a place where people interested in technology can meet, socialise, talk and collaboratively work on projects.
 +
 
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A hackerspace or hackspace (from [http://ars.userfriendly.org/cartoons/?id=20080917 Hacker] and Space) 
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is a real (as opposed to virtual) place where people with common interests,
 +
usually in science, technology, or digital- or electronic art can meet, 
 +
socialize and collaborate. ([[wikipedia:Hackerspace]])
  
  The LABOR is dynamic. Its structures are not set. It is also up to you what's happening in and with the Labor. You want to change something or do
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  The LABOR is dynamic. Its structures are not set. It is also up to you what's
  it better? Do you want to try technology or learn something about its uses? Maybe you just want to meet new people who share your interest? Go
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happening in and with the Labor. You want to change something or do  it better?
ahead! Just come over and participate - the LABOR grows with you! (http://www.das-labor.org/about.html)
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Do you want to try technology or learn something about its uses? Maybe you just  
 +
want to meet new people who share your interest? Go ahead! Just come over and  
 +
participate - the LABOR grows with you! (http://www.das-labor.org/about.html)
  
 
==What is a Hacker?==
 
==What is a Hacker?==
 
First of all: '''A hack or a hacker can be many different things!'''
 
First of all: '''A hack or a hacker can be many different things!'''
  
If you're not familiar with the Tech Model Railroad Club at MIT story, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacker_(computing)#History look it up!]
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If you're not familiar with the Tech Model Railroad Club at MIT story, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacker_(computing)#History look it up]
 
Long Story short:
 
Long Story short:
 
  1963: The first recorded reference to hackers in the computer sense is made in The Tech (MIT Student Magazine). [...]
 
  1963: The first recorded reference to hackers in the computer sense is made in The Tech (MIT Student Magazine). [...]
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  The term used to refer to someone skilled in the use of computer systems, especially if that skill was obtained in an exploratory
 
  The term used to refer to someone skilled in the use of computer systems, especially if that skill was obtained in an exploratory
 
  way. The term evolved to be applied to individuals, with or without skill, who break into security systems.
 
  way. The term evolved to be applied to individuals, with or without skill, who break into security systems.
 
  
 
  It is hard to write a simple definition of something as varied as hacking, but I think what these activities have in common is
 
  It is hard to write a simple definition of something as varied as hacking, but I think what these activities have in common is
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Popular Hackers include:
 
Popular Hackers include:
 
* Steve Wozniak (apple/Homebrew Computer Club)
 
* Steve Wozniak (apple/Homebrew Computer Club)
* Linux Torvalds (linux)
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* Linus Torvalds (linux)
 
* John T. Draper (Capt'n Crunch)
 
* John T. Draper (Capt'n Crunch)
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* Kevin Mitnick (social engineering, FBI's most wanted)
  
==What do you plan on doing?==
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There is also a very nice definition in the [http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/linux/RHL-9-Manual/security-guide/ch-risk.html RedHat Linux .Security Guide]
* [[Projects]]
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==Where can I find more Information?==
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==Who are you guys?==
* [[Documentation|Documents]]
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* [[LetterForFeedback]]
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* [[Info-Folder]]
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* [[Presentation]]
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This is a guideline for people giving an interview or a presentation.
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It tries to give coherent answers to the most commonly asked questions. If you encounter other questions during an interview or when you're presenting the hackerspace to somebody, please include your proven statements here.
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==Who we are==
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We are a bunch of IT-professionals, students, hobbyists, artists, graphic designers and OpenSource users who wish to get together in order to explore technology and its possibilities.
 
We are a bunch of IT-professionals, students, hobbyists, artists, graphic designers and OpenSource users who wish to get together in order to explore technology and its possibilities.
  
==What we want and why==
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==What do you plan on doing?==
We'd like to get a space (100-200 squaremeters) to
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* work on projects
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* house our infrastructure
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* allow various groups to have regular meetings
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* hold workshops (we are negotiating with NGOs, considering offering computer classes or similar)
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* get together, talk, socialise and have fun
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We'd like to offer people ressources like space and infrastructure, that they need, but could hardly afford if they were alone.
 
We'd like to offer people ressources like space and infrastructure, that they need, but could hardly afford if they were alone.
 
Some hardware that is required to do these things (like rfid readers, professional soldering apparatus, audiovisual apparatus, 3D-Printers etc...) are simply too expensive for a single person to buy and maintain.
 
Some hardware that is required to do these things (like rfid readers, professional soldering apparatus, audiovisual apparatus, 3D-Printers etc...) are simply too expensive for a single person to buy and maintain.
  
We'd like to host a variety of associations and organisations like the C3L itself, the luxcommons people, and so on. (more examples?!)
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If you're looking for more information on this matters, go check out our [[Concept]] document.
  
==What we want/are going to do==
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==How can I become a member or support your association?==
There are several projects planned or already initiated:
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Please refer to the [[Association#Membership|Association]] page to learn about the means of becoming a regular or donating member.
  
* (Micro)-Electronics and Light (Arduino, Blinkenlights)
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You may also support us buy buying shirts and other apparel from [http://syn2cat.spreadshirt.net syn2cat.spreadshirt.net].
* Music, Photography, Film (Mint-Tin Amp)
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* Quadrokopter / Mikrokopter http://www.mikrokopter.de/ucwiki/
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* Technological Street Art (Laser Tagging)
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* Energy Efficiency Research(Intelligent Energy Distribution (dispatch the energy to where it is required, save the rest!))
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* Doing research in the security field, also commenting on and analyzing political decisions, like
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** Surveillance, (CCTV) [http://www.c3l.lu/wiki/index.php/Video_Überwachung SurveillanceWatch] by [http://www.c3l.lu/ c3l]
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** RFID security: e-GO & Véloh (what is saved on the cards, how is it done, is it secure?)
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** Data Retention (Vorratsdatenspeicherung)
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** Governmental Trojans (Bundestrojaner)
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* Monitoring, questioning and debating contemporary technological developments and advancements.
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==Why supporting us makes sense==
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€4 of every shirt you buy will go into our account.
* Because we're working hard on improving and inventing innovative stuff, and we're even having fun at it!
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* Because we have clever people gathered that are creative and productive.
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* Because we're helping out other people and NGOs
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===Symbiosis with LiLux===
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Sponsorships are also very welcome. In such a case, please contact us be sending an email to '''office_AT_hackerspace_DOT_lu'''
  
* Room for meetings, talks, workshops
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===Wait, at first you said there was a monthly fee, have you switched to yearly fees now?===
* Infrastructure, Public Workstations
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'''Yes''', we have and '''No''', not really. On our inaugural meeting, we agreed on having a yearly membership fee fee until a real, physical hackerspace is found. Only then will we switch to asking a monthly fee. If you'd paid a membership fee prior to the physical space's existence, it will also be valid for the first month of regular, i.e. non-virtual membership.
* Free Software, Open Source, OpenAccess and Creative Commons
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As mentioned above, you are still very welcome to support us with [[Association#Membership|a monthly donation]].
* ...
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==More Information?==
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==Where can I find more Information?==
We have a wiki where there's lots of information and links to even more information.
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* We're currently working on a document describing our intermediate and long-term goals as well as the way of achieving it: [[Concept]]-Document
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* Then there's the text that started it all: [[LetterForFeedback]]
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* The first glossy info-folder that went to government and art people: [[Info-Folder]]
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* We're regularly presenting our ideas and projects to various groups and people: [[Presentation|Presentations]]
  
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hackerspace
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== Help I'm lost with all those names: syn2cat, hackerspace, c3l, lilux, grl ...==
* http://lb.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hackerspace
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Syn<sub>2</sub>cat is the organization running the Luxembourg hackerspace (yes there are [http://hackerspaces.org/ hackerspaces]  all over the world). A hackerspace is an infrastructure which can be used by its members or other associations for working on technological projects and interchange new ideas. Other associations like [http://c3l.lu/ c3l] and [http://grl.lu/ grl] are using the infrastructure for holding meetings or jumpstart their projects. Syn<sub>2</sub>cat helps supporting those initiatives and also continuously improves the hackerspace rooms to keep it in good shape. This common place enables interaction between various people and groups of very different backgrounds, be it art, technology or even cooking.
  
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== Where can I get a username from? ==
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Come to the space on a weekend or monday evening with your [[Media:ApplicationForm.pdf|Application Form]] filled out. We will set up things for you then.
  
[[Category:Documents]]
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[[Category:Documentation]]

Latest revision as of 13:26, 26 June 2012

This page tries to answer the most common questions one could have regarding this project. If your question is not answered here, please feel free to send an email to info_AT_hackerspace_DOT_lu.

Contents

[edit] What is a Hackerspace?

A Hackerspace is simply put a Space for Hackers. It is a place where people interested in technology can meet, socialise, talk and collaboratively work on projects.

A hackerspace or hackspace (from Hacker and Space)  
is a real (as opposed to virtual) place where people with common interests, 
usually in science, technology, or digital- or electronic art can meet,  
socialize and collaborate. (wikipedia:Hackerspace)
The LABOR is dynamic. Its structures are not set. It is also up to you what's
happening in and  with the Labor. You want to change something or do  it better?
Do you want to try technology or learn something about its uses? Maybe you just 
want to meet new people who share your interest? Go ahead! Just come over and 
participate - the LABOR grows with you! (http://www.das-labor.org/about.html)

[edit] What is a Hacker?

First of all: A hack or a hacker can be many different things!

If you're not familiar with the Tech Model Railroad Club at MIT story, look it up Long Story short:

1963: The first recorded reference to hackers in the computer sense is made in The Tech (MIT Student Magazine). [...]
The modern, computer-related use of the term is considered likely rooted in the goings on at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT) in the 1960s, long before computers became common; the word "hack" was local slang which had a large number of
related meanings. One was a simple, but often inelegant, solution to a problem. It also meant any clever prank perpetrated by
MIT students; logically the perpetrator was a hacker. To this day the terms hack and hacker are used in several ways at MIT,
without necessarily referring to computers. (en.wikipedia)

Hacker

The term used to refer to someone skilled in the use of computer systems, especially if that skill was obtained in an exploratory
way. The term evolved to be applied to individuals, with or without skill, who break into security systems.
It is hard to write a simple definition of something as varied as hacking, but I think what these activities have in common is
playfulness, cleverness, and exploration. Thus, hacking means exploring the limits of what is possible, in a spirit of playful
cleverness. Activities that display playful cleverness have "hack value". (Richard Stallman: On Hacking)

Popular Hackers include:

  • Steve Wozniak (apple/Homebrew Computer Club)
  • Linus Torvalds (linux)
  • John T. Draper (Capt'n Crunch)
  • Kevin Mitnick (social engineering, FBI's most wanted)

There is also a very nice definition in the RedHat Linux .Security Guide

[edit] Who are you guys?

We are a bunch of IT-professionals, students, hobbyists, artists, graphic designers and OpenSource users who wish to get together in order to explore technology and its possibilities.

[edit] What do you plan on doing?

We'd like to offer people ressources like space and infrastructure, that they need, but could hardly afford if they were alone. Some hardware that is required to do these things (like rfid readers, professional soldering apparatus, audiovisual apparatus, 3D-Printers etc...) are simply too expensive for a single person to buy and maintain.

If you're looking for more information on this matters, go check out our Concept document.

[edit] How can I become a member or support your association?

Please refer to the Association page to learn about the means of becoming a regular or donating member.

You may also support us buy buying shirts and other apparel from syn2cat.spreadshirt.net.

€4 of every shirt you buy will go into our account.

Sponsorships are also very welcome. In such a case, please contact us be sending an email to office_AT_hackerspace_DOT_lu

[edit] Wait, at first you said there was a monthly fee, have you switched to yearly fees now?

Yes, we have and No, not really. On our inaugural meeting, we agreed on having a yearly membership fee fee until a real, physical hackerspace is found. Only then will we switch to asking a monthly fee. If you'd paid a membership fee prior to the physical space's existence, it will also be valid for the first month of regular, i.e. non-virtual membership. As mentioned above, you are still very welcome to support us with a monthly donation.

[edit] Where can I find more Information?

  • We're currently working on a document describing our intermediate and long-term goals as well as the way of achieving it: Concept-Document
  • Then there's the text that started it all: LetterForFeedback
  • The first glossy info-folder that went to government and art people: Info-Folder
  • We're regularly presenting our ideas and projects to various groups and people: Presentations

[edit] Help I'm lost with all those names: syn2cat, hackerspace, c3l, lilux, grl ...

Syn2cat is the organization running the Luxembourg hackerspace (yes there are hackerspaces all over the world). A hackerspace is an infrastructure which can be used by its members or other associations for working on technological projects and interchange new ideas. Other associations like c3l and grl are using the infrastructure for holding meetings or jumpstart their projects. Syn2cat helps supporting those initiatives and also continuously improves the hackerspace rooms to keep it in good shape. This common place enables interaction between various people and groups of very different backgrounds, be it art, technology or even cooking.

[edit] Where can I get a username from?

Come to the space on a weekend or monday evening with your Application Form filled out. We will set up things for you then.

Personal tools
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