Founding a Hackerspace An Interactive Qualifying Project Report Submitted to: Project Advisor: Francis Hoy Faculty of Worcester Polytechnic Institute in partial fulfillment for the requirement for the Degree of Bachelor of Science Submitted by Joseph Schlesinger Md Monirul Islam Kelly MacNeill Date: Professor Frank Hoy Project Advisor Abstract This report is the written component of our project that explores the hackerspace phenomenon. The report discusses the background and history of hackerspaces along with the social context of the modern hackerspace. Interviews of various hackerspaces were conducted and analyzed in order to gain insight into their operation and management. The research conducted was used to establish a hackerspace as a for-profit business. We describe the process of launching this entity, MakeIt Labs LLC in Lowell, MA. Also included is the business plan created for MakeIt Labs. Acknowledgements We would like to show our gratitude to the many individuals and organizations that helped us with our project by supplying us with data about the hackerspace community. These individuals allowed us know first-hand what it was like to be part of the maker community. Specifically, we would like to thank the founders and members of the following hackerspaces for giving their valuable time and valuable information: Hacker Dojo, NYC Resistor, Sprout & Co, BUILDS, and Noisebridge. Our appreciation goes to all the people who have put information about hackerspaces online. Finally, we would like to thank our project advisor, Frank Hoy, for his assistance and guidance throughout the project experience. Authorship page This project report was produced by Md Monirul Islam, Kelly MacNeill and Joseph Schlesinger. The authors of each section are listed below. However, each member proofread and edited this report. Abstract: ............................................................................................................................ Md Monirul Islam Acknowledgements: .......................................................................................................... Md Monirul Islam Authorship page: ............................................................................................................... Md Monirul Islam List of Figures: ................................................................................................................... Md Monirul Islam Chapter I: Executive Summary: ......................................................................................... Md Monirul Islam Chapter II: Introduction: ......................................................................................................... Kelly MacNeill Chapter III: Background What is a hackerspace?: ..................................................................................................... Kelly MacNeill What is a hacker?: .............................................................................................................. Kelly MacNeill Why do hackerspaces exist?: ........................................................................................ Md Monirul Islam The Hacker Ethic: ................................................................................................................ Kelly MacNeill What does it mean to be a member of a hackerspace?:..................................................... Kelly MacNeill The History of Hacking: ....................................................................................................... Kelly MacNeill Chapter IV: Procedure Research Methodology: ...................................................................................................... Kelly MacNeill Interview Methodology: ............................................................................................... Md Monirul Islam Building a Hackerspace (from the perspective of Joseph Schlesinger): ...................... Joseph Schlesinger Chapter V: Results Interviews: .................................................................................................................... Md Monirul Islam MakeIt Labs: ................................................................................................................. Joseph Schlesinger Business Plan: ................................................................................ Kelly MacNeill and Md Monirul Islam Chapter VI: Analysis of Results The Evolution of the Modern Hackerspace: ................................................................. Md Monirul Islam Communication In Hackerspaces: ................................................................................ Md Monirul Islam Inter-hackerspace communication: .............................................................................. Md Monirul Islam Chat: ......................................................................................................................... Md Monirul Islam Email: ........................................................................................................................ Md Monirul Islam Telephone: ................................................................................................................ Md Monirul Islam Planet Feeds: ............................................................................................................ Md Monirul Islam Webinar: ................................................................................................................... Md Monirul Islam The Commercialization of Hackerspaces: ........................................................................... Kelly MacNeill Chapter VII: Conclusion: .......................................................................................................... Kelly MacNeill Bibliography: ............................................................................................................................ Kelly Macneill Appendix A: Business Report: .......................................................................................................... Joseph Schlesinger Appendix B Noisebridge - Hackerspace Questionnaires: ................................................................. Md Monirul Islam Hacker Dojo - Hackerspace Questionnaires: .................................................................... Joe Schlesinger BUILDS - Hackerspace Questionnaires: .............................................................................. Kelly MacNeill Sprouts - Hackerspace Questionnaires: .............................................................................. Kelly MacNeill NYC Resistor- Hackerspace Questionaires: ................................................................... Md Monirul Islam Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... 2 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................... 3 Authorship page ............................................................................................................................................ 4 List of Figures ................................................................................................................................................ 8 Chapter I: Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................... 9 Chapter II: Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 11 Chapter III: Background .............................................................................................................................. 13 What is a hackerspace? .......................................................................................................................... 13 What is a hacker? ................................................................................................................................... 15 Why do hackerspaces exist? ................................................................................................................... 16 What is the hacker ethic? ....................................................................................................................... 17 What does it mean to be a member of a hackerspace? ......................................................................... 18 What is the history of hacking? .............................................................................................................. 19 Chapter IV: Procedure ................................................................................................................................. 20 Research Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 20 Interview Methodology .......................................................................................................................... 20 Narrative: Building a hackerspace from the perspective of Joseph Schlesinger .................................... 21 Chapter V: Results ....................................................................................................................................... 23 Interviews ..............................................................................................................................................