My Dad Asks HN: Should I Build A Hackerspace?

Re:My Dad Asks HN: Should I Build A Hackerspace? by baddox on Tuesday September 22, 2009 @03:56PM (#837782)

I would say it's not a good business decision, even though it sounds cool. Just like internet cafes, I just can't see there being enough paying customers to make it worth it.

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Re:My Dad Asks HN: Should I Build A Hackerspace? by jrockway on Tuesday September 22, 2009 @04:16PM (#837825)

Indeed. See this for an example: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberport

The idea was to build a complex with shared resources for high-tech companies. They built the complex, but nobody is renting.

I was there last week, as I have a friend that works there, and there was absolutely nobody there. It is probably the least populated point on Hong Kong Island, including the mountains :)

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Re:My Dad Asks HN: Should I Build A Hackerspace? by nickmolnar2 on Tuesday September 22, 2009 @04:22PM (#837840)

Their mistake was going too high-end. Expensive glass buildings, deluxe residences, high-end malls. I want something lean, dirty, and productive as hell.

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Re:My Dad Asks HN: Should I Build A Hackerspace? by jrockway on Tuesday September 22, 2009 @05:52PM (#838051)

I want something lean, dirty, and productive as hell.

But does anyone else with money want that? Selling to YC startups is probably not a good idea, because they have no money.

Corollary: there's a reason there are so many bland, boring office spaces -- they sell.

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Re:My Dad Asks HN: Should I Build A Hackerspace? by nickmolnar2 on Tuesday September 22, 2009 @04:24PM (#837847)

My hope would be that the educational side of things would draw people in and build a local market. The space would be able to hold seminars and workshops, which would hopefully inspire people to come back and work on their own. The tenants of the building would also guarantee some use of the hackerspace.

[ Parent | on HN ]