User:Martind/Broken

A short list of perceived LHS problems people currently complain about at the Hackspace.

Let's not discuss details yet but merely collect opinions. It's also not important whether a particular complaint is correct/justified or not, we can discuss that later.

We don't necessarily need to address all of these, but they'll help us pick a few good starting points.

(It's fine to be quite evocative in your phrasing)

Martind 18:39, 13 October 2012 (UTC)

Current (Perceived) Problems

• Tidiness: the space is a mess
• Too many people: no space to work
• What space there is, is cramped with forgotten and half-finished projects or unused supplies
• Tools are always broken (and: people use tools without knowing how to do it properly)
• People don't return keys for tool access control
• Too many half-finished jobs (infrastructure, projects)
• Misuse of DNH stickers (not providing enough information; forgetting to also inform the mailing list.)
• People stopped making things and just hang out
• Reigning in use of excessive space has restricted our most ambitious makers
• Our online social spaces are poisoned by trolls
• Our online social spaces are poisoned by people who take those who disagree with them as trolls
• Front door always open: weak distinction of members/non-members (security/safety problems.)
• Closed groups starting to form, less inclusive of larger membership
• People don't try to find out how to use thing properly
• When people ask for help in training on tools, it often isn't practically available
• A culture of leaving tools (and: glasses, pans, paper, monitors) where someone finished their job
• Teenage locker-room humour and wall 'decorations'
• Bravado in tool use
• Safety warnings from people who don't understand useage (cf: H&S one-size-fits-all rules vs. intelligent use)
• An enthusiasm for destruction (eg balconise) rather than repair
• A tendency for repairs, when done, to be done incompletely (too much nails and gaffer tape)
• Very difficult to clean & tidy kitchen, because of unsealed surfaces and peculiar storage spaces
• kitchen used to melt bacon fat rather than cook good food
• Impatience with other people's projects
• A culture of members being unable to voice concerns about the space or use thereof without being shouted down as a troll, drama whore, fascist or whinger. (This page is a fantastic start.)
• Long standing members either being outside the rules that govern everyone else or actively and vocally encouraging new members to disregard them as "thats how the Hackspace works".
• Troublemakers aren't being punished rapidly enough or frequently enough. ENFORCE THE DAMNED RULES, STOP BIKESHEDDING WITH A WIKI PAGE :P
• A culture of attempting to solve social/people issues with technology

Would be Nice

• A (maintained) London Hackspace manual
• A welcome email with links/instructions
• An effective way of finding out who to ask for help
• A clearer distinction between non-paying visitors/guests and members.
• If every piece of equipment had a clear owner (or owning group) who looked after it and provided training etc.
• A clear online process for all members to submit proposals + voting system
• Access to expensive / fragile tools by member's RFID card
• Key documentation from the wiki with QR code links displayed on the walls near machines
• LED notification board in the workshop displaying status of each machine