Posted by keyhitman on February 8, 2011 at 12:42am
Anybody keen to start-up something like this? http://www.swiss-miss.com/2011/02/desks-opening-up-at-studiomates.html
It needn't be fancy. A rudimentary space with just some lounges and wifi would be great. Just wanted to throw the idea out there and see what happens.
There aren't many cafes in the evenings which will let me sit around for hours with my laptop. I've tried explaining to them that it's for Drupal but I just get strange looks :)
Or maybe you already have such a space (lucky you...sigh) and are willing to let someone like me swing by for a couple of hours each week and sit in a corner? :)
Colin
bluefont@gmail.com
Comments
I've been looking to
I've been looking to setup/move into a shared office space.
Where about in Sydney were you thinking?
Cheers.
Location
Somewhere convenient (transport) and bordering the CBD would be ideal. I was thinking of the following options: Ultimo, Glebe, Surry Hills (near Central Stn), Redfern. If we can get a bunch of people interested, we can share the rent+internet. I am thinking along the lines of people dropping in as required (as opposed to everyone having a permanent desk), which means it does not have to be a huge place.
Colin Paul Watson
a word of warning
Hi guys
Just to let you know, I set up a place like this last year in Melbourne. It didn't work and ended up costing me a lot of money. However, I did a few things wrong, such as choosing the wrong building and location.
If you do it as a group then of course you can share the expenses, which will spread the risk. I also highly recommend finding somewhere that's already set up and ready to go, with aircon, security and parking, so you don't spend a lot of time and money converting a warehouse like I did. Also, choose somewhere as central as possible to make sure you get enough people coming.
Other bits of advice would be:
- Use Internode for internet, they have a month-to-month business plan and their service is excellent.
- Chairs, desks and other furniture can sometimes be obtained for free from universities (I got a whole bunch from Monash Uni).
Make sure you understand the real cost of something like this before you dive in. There's rent, bond, internet, electricity, transport, possibly parking fees, plus the time you'll spend setting things up (time you could have spent earning).
Good luck!
Shaun
Thanks
Thanks Shaun,
You raise some very valid points, which I hadn't yet considered. And yes, I agree that Internode has excellent service (I use them).
Much appreciated!
Colin Paul Watson
I can't seem to read back
I can't seem to read back over the rest of the thread, but I know some folk in Melbourne who are attempting to set up a hackspace like the ones in Europe, with things like a 3D printer, laser cutters and more... Maybe a collaboration?
I agree with Shaun
Setting up infrastructure is expensive of time and $$$. Shaun makes some really good points.
Why not have a sub-committee do an exhaustive, creative search of Internet cafes, ordinary cafes, academic buildings, not-for-profit or community centres. Offer a co-op deal - Drupalers buy food and stuff in return for use of a space. Or Drupalers pay for access to the space by providing services to a community group that also needs a great new Drupal based web site!
Get all the interested people around the same table ASAP and have a brain storming session on where you might be able to do a co-op deal to share an existing space!
John Young
www.yindi.net
yindi1951@gmailcom
yindisystems
John Young
Yindi Systems
web: www.yindi.net
twitter: @yindisystems
Thanks
Hi John,
Thanks for some of those ideas. I especially like the one about providing services to a community group in return for use of their facilities -- that's a nice win-win situation.
Interestingly enough, I worked a little last night from a Gloria Jeans cafe. They have Everywhere Internet which requires a quick/easy online registration and using a credit card is able to provide internet access for $5 for 120 mins (which can be spread over time). Not too bad at all.
But great ideas from everyone! Appreciate it.
Colin Paul Watson
-
I follow the RoR mailing list.
A few weeks ago, someone posted a message that they were in Wynyard and asked if anyone had a spare desk for a few hours. They got a response from a fellow developer within a few minutes saying there was a desk free nearby.
Very impressive.
other things to try
There are a number of sites around like http://desksnear.me/ that are always worth checking, too :)
Cheers
That's a great site. Very handy to know. Thanks :)
Colin Paul Watson
Sponsorship?
I've also been wanting to set up something along these lines. Unfortunately out here in the outer rim of the galaxy (nr Coffs Harbour) my choices are limited. A friend of mine did manage to line up a meeting with my local council 'Economic Development unit'. They had some pretty helpful suggestions mainly around sponsorship from local businesses, TAFE and the Uni - all of which I'm looking into.
I wonder if there is anything similar in your area? Maybe there is a coffee shop that has some space out back and would be amenable to having a ready supply of customers.
cheers
ruben
Thanks for your help!
A "thank you" from us to everyone who is contributing to this thread.
We (Harbinger) have begun setting up a shared workspace in our offices in Bourke Street Melbourne. We found the advice you have been offering very useful. We will extend the use of our office space to include for code sprints, meet-ups and mentoring sessions if this would be useful.
Also, if any interstate (outside of Vic) community members are looking for short term office space - say for a day or two when visiting clients in Melbourne, we would be happy to extend our shared workspace offer to you also.
Regds
Nigel Brown