At #37c3 they have IRC, and Matrix for text and for voice they setup their own LTE/2G/3G/SIP/DECT network where you bring whatever phone-like device and pick a 4 digit phone number.
Meanwhile in the USA for #defcon they just paid Discord money and told everyone to accept their privacy policy, and even the DC Privacy Village asks people to sign up for Slack and Google.
People ask why I fly to CCC from the USA. It is because that is the closest place to find a thriving hacker culture.
That’s mildly more virtual than I was even considering. I was thinking 3d printers and scanners, cnc machines, soldiering stations, laser vinyl and paper cutters. But a graphics card and a nice Wacom tablet can definitely count. I’ve taken computer classes just for access to printers and ‘color’ workstations, bringing in files on zip discs, or lower capacity floppies
@Chancerubbage: that'd be even better! Our Multimedia Resources Center has a 3D printer, but there are written instructions to bring an assistant before doing anything. If I'd need anything like that, I'll ask professors on campus if I can use their labs.
Professors seem to be reluctant to give you the lab unless you have a very good reason to use it, though.
@VisualPlugin I’m simply afraid such maker spaces, co-ops, clubs, could barely make enough to cover rent, even with dues, much less keep and maintain equipment to share that none could afford on their own, yet could be shared by many. Even with business models like services and lessons.
If any successfully thrive, I’d like to know about it. Community colleges can sometimes be good resources.
Lance R. Vick
Chancerubbage
VisualPlugin