[Noisebridge-discuss] Ringold, out of the mouth of Bill

[Bill Pollock]

Hi Everyone,

There's been a lot of discussion on the list today. I guess I'm a bit 
surprised and puzzled by the dialog.

First off, if people actually want a space to hack, at no charge, 40 
Ringold is available. But, as everyone understands I think, the building 
will be under construction on an unknown schedule. That means it's not a 
place to leave your stuff (for now), but it is a place where you can 
bring a laptop, plug in, and hack. I even ordered Astound Cable internet 
today -- if they'll give me the residential rate. And I'll say it again: 
it's free, for now -- until we need to rip things apart, if we do.

As for people finding another space, I say whatever works. Regardless, I 
will be setting up a geek/hacker space at 40 Ringold. If I'm lucky, I'll 
be able to extend the top floor so that I can include both a hacker 
space, some sort of underground cafe, and maybe even co-working space--a 
small mix of income generating space and sort of non-profit space. I'll 
do this regardless of what happens because there are many people who 
haven't been to a noisebridge meeting (and who may never go to one) who 
would really enjoy such a space. This is a space for every geek and 
every hacker, in every group, with some basic rules (not meant to be a 
complete list):

* don't wreck the space
* don't get the space closed down
* don't get me arrested
* respect other people in the space
* don't hack the NSP network or the people around you

Last night I mentioned to the people assembled that I'm thinking of 
turning the front part of the second floor into some sort of underground 
cafe, if I get the permit to do so. Two or three years ago I considered 
trying to create a kind of geek cafe; something like Coffeenet, even 
though I never actually visited Coffeenet. As I mentioned last night, my 
goal too would be to extend the top floor (add about 400sf if possible), 
and build a real roof deck since the roof as it is is not safe as a 
deck. That means fairly significant construction on the second floor. 
Dust. Dirt. Noise. Not good stuff for electronics, but not a situation 
that will last forever, of course.

The idea of a cafe, an inclusive cafe (read: anyone can go, as long as 
they know it exists and can find it), is that it would be a public 
space, offering a place to hang out for people who aren't connected to 
the community, aren't sure how much they want to be a part of it, or who 
don't feel comfortable in a dedicated hacker space for whatever reason. 
At least as important is the fact that a cafe (with a bookstore/gift 
shop sort of thing) will generate revenue that would go toward the 
building's mortgage and potential supporting a hacker space. That means 
less stress for me when people can't pay rent on the space, and allowing 
me to really keep the cost of the hacker space low -- assuming that the 
Hacker Cafe is generating income. Remember: I'm paying a mortgage on the 
building. It's not free for me.

Regardless, as I mentioned yesterday, if people would actually like to 
use part or maybe even most of the building for a meeting or hacker 
event of some sort, that's a definite possibility. I'm open to giving 
certain, select people, keys to the building, with the understanding 
that they'll be responsible for keeping an eye on things, and opening 
and closing the space. (Including cleanup.) So if people want a space to 
actually get together, work together, present, share ideas, it's 
available. It's not pretty, but I have portable heaters, two working 
toilets, a sink, etc. And there's no charge. I just need to know what's 
going on when.

In sum, I'll continue with my plans for Ringold and keep people 
apprised. The space is available to you NOW as long as I have what I'll 
call Angels (like the Engels at CCC Camp) who will watch over the space 
and the people in it.

Bill