[SC.LUG] [Fwd: [cumbria_lug] Lowtech Access Space]

[Jason Lucas]

On Sun, 2005-07-03 at 20:04 +0100, Richard Smedley wrote:
> I can't quite see how to get one of these going in Cheshire, atm
>  - but I'd be interested to hear the thoughts of others with enthusiasm
> and/or ideas :-)

I think that this is a great idea, however I agree with Richard about
the difficulty in getting something like this going in Cheshire. I get
the distinct feeling that 'the powers that be' around here are simply
too conservative and technophobic to embrace a project such as this. I'd
love someone to prove me wrong, but I won't hold my breath.

J.   
> 
> 
> -------- Forwarded Message --------
> 
> To: Cumbria at mailman.lug.org.uk
> Subject: [cumbria_lug] Lowtech Access Space
> Date: Tue, 28 Jun 2005 06:43:48 -0400
> One of the Lightning Talks at LUGRadio Live was from James Wallbank of
> Lowtech [1]. Lowtech was set up about five years ago to make creative use
> of old technology. The focus of the whole venture is not the technology,
> but the creativity and the collaborative community. They set up systems,
> put on displays and demos, gave away what they'd creeated and then started
> on the next batch of old computers. Every demo brought more interest, and
> more donations of old hardware. They simply didn't know what to do with it
> all, so they set up something called Access Space. They obtained Arts
> Council funding, and in the middle of Sheffield, they set up a hands-on
> style media lab which was free for all and sundry to use. Everything they
> do is based on free hardware and free (as in beer) software. The only thing
> they ask of people is that they are willing to actively engage in the
> project rather than just use it as a free internet cafe. People are
> expected to help answer questions from anyone else who happens to be around
> (even if the answer is to help them find the answer), and they are expected
> to have an identifiable goal.
> 
> Again, it snowballed. They have helped any number of people learn about
> computers and how they can be used, and have also learned a lot about from
> those people. As they say "teach what you know, learn what you don't" and
> they make the point that *everybody* has something worth teaching - after
> all, if you want to know if your interface is easy to use, the best person
> to tell you that is someone who isn't familiar with computers.
> 
> Lowtech are now beginning to push a new project called "grow your own media
> lab" which does exactly what it says on the tin. The idea is that you
> gather whatever bits of old hardware you happen to have, whatever techy or
> non-techy people you can get interested, and build a media lab. Even
> someone who has never seen a computer will be capable of plugging in cables
> and watching screens to see if an error message comes up, and with the
> right encouragement most people won't take too long before they're brave
> enough to get their hands dirty and really get involved.
> 
> Russ and I are seriously considering trying to get something like this
> started in Carlisle. We spoke to James Wallbank at LRL, and he provided a
> huge amount of enthusiasim and support. Talking over it all, we have
> identified a number of needs:
> 
>  - free hardware, which is not a problem, because every geek gathers
> things, and once we get the ball rolling we will be able to acept donations
> from businesses who'd rather not pay to have their old equipment taken away.
> 
>  - free software, which can be had very easily on-line. Recommendations for
> suitable programs might be useful later on.
> 
>  - space, which will mean rent. We'll be writing to the local councils, and
> to various arts councils, lottery funding, etc. We're hoping Carlisle City
> Counsil will be able to offer us a room in a community centre for next to
> nothing, but we'll have to see what they've got.
> 
>  - time, which is going to be the biggest problem, and why I'm posting this
> to the LUG list. We need people who will be willing to spend a few hours
> now and then sitting in a computer lab, working on their own projects, and
> happy to help other out with theirs. Russ and I reckon we can probably make
> every pther Sunday afternoon, and once things start to grow, I have no
> doubt that there will be more people willing to be there at other times.
> However, we really need to know that we've got people from the beginning,
> whatever their level of techy ability.
> 
> 
> So to summarise, what we want from you in the immediate future is support,
> enthusiasm and the promise of time. I realise this is a long shot, given
> that this LUG consists of those who are apathetic and those who are
> stupidly busy, but please do think about it.
> 
> Hugs,
> 
> Jen
> 
> 
> 
> [1] http://lowtech.org/
> 
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