Techies Get to Work at Hacker Dojo | Hacker News Reader

Techies Get to Work at Hacker Dojo

online.wsj.com

70 pointsboh42 comments

Hacker Dojo is a "hackerspace". Hackerspaces exist all over the world: http://hackerspaces.org/

There is even a hackerspace in Pittsburgh: http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/HackPittsburgh

In theory, hackerspaces are great places where "people can meet and work on their projects." In practice, however, hackerspaces - like any start-up - have the DNA of the co-founders and original visitors. As such, some hackerspaces are better managed than others. Likewise, some hackerspaces are a better "fit" for one type of hacking or another (start-up hacking, hardware hacking, artistic hacking, etc.)

Hacker Dojo just happens to be extremely well-run, well-funded, and perfectly located in the heart of Silicon Valley.

As one of the founders of Hacker Dojo, I'd like to say: well put.

Although I'd like to make clear the majority of our funding comes from member dues, which is not unlike most hackerspaces.

I've been coming to the dojo for two months, and I have to say - it's been the single most beneficial thing I have done for my startup. Period.

People - amazing, helpful, friendly. Not only met a cofounder, also found other developers, founders w/ great advice, and new friends.

Ok I could gush all day, I'll stop (don't want to sound like an ad). But feel free to drop by. I'm always willing to do a tour.

Would love to have people drop by the Dojo anytime, or just ask me questions here. (I'm the David Weekly who co-founded the Dojo, quoted in the article.)

> sometimes even computer geeks want a little human contact

Patronize much?

When people ask me what Hacker Dojo is all about, I tell them "Ever heard of a think tank?. The Dojo is a do tank."

Here's a link to the Hacker Dojo website if anyone wants to explore further: http://wiki.hackerdojo.com/w/page/25437/FrontPage

I wish something like this existed in Pittsburgh. Sounds like a great place. If something like that does exist here and I just don't know about give me a heads up! :-D

Aaaaaactually... http://www.hackpittsburgh.org/

It's not quite as startup/software oriented, but everyone I knew in Pittsburgh who went tells me they're good people.

There's also Dorkbot Pittsburgh, if you're into the trippy electronic art scene: http://www.dorkbot.org/dorkbotpgh/

Go Steelers.

I usually work out of Sunfire in an office tower in downtown mountain view, mainly because I get a nice desk in a secure office for free, and get to be around great entrepreneurs and angels/vc people. However, I am also a member of hackerdojo and find it a great place for team meetings, events, and anything collaborative -- I just like having a desk where I can leave a bunch of monitors and other stuff all the time, which is the one thing hackerdojo doesn't offer.

Another great office space in mountain view is Layer 42, over by Google -- it is a colo facility with cubes for rent, and you patch straight into your cage.

Maybe if we hack real nice we can get an @anybots QB receptionist to greet visitors some day. Would need new login kiosk option, though: Guest, Member, Staff, Robot!

I went to the Dojo for a few events when I went to school in the Bay Area. It sold me as a welcoming community and a safe space for exploring new ideas. I'm considering relocating to the Bay just so that I'll have access to the TechShop and HackerDojo communities.

Something that would normally take months takes only a few weeks when you are surrounded by people who are working towards the same goal cheering you on.

On a semi-related question, I'm seriously considering moving back to Silicon Valley to enable me to really focus on my startup. I can probably find couch space with friends, but that gets old pretty quickly.

Any suggestions for finding good, simple accommodations around Mountain View? I need a secure space with a bed, shower, and a simple kitchen, preferably not shared.

Yep, I can do Craigslist etc, just wondering if I'm missing anything untraditional.

Here's how I found accommodation in Mountain View.. Hope this helps -> http://www.theroadtosiliconvalley.com/moving/house-hopping-f...

Oh and Hacker Dojo rocks! It's like a home away from home!

Hacker dojo may have been the tipping point for me. I've applied to YC and a couple of others, but may not need that level of support. Hacker dojo may be just right.

I started my first company in Mountain View almost 15 years ago. Seems an auspicious place to start this one.

AirBnB - http://www.airbnb.com/

This looks like an interesting option for finding a place to crash while sorting out long term living arrangements.

Check out CouchSurfing.com.

Anything like this in Seattle? More interested in software than hardware/"Make"/lock-picking/other forms of geekery, but I'll happily take a mix.

Try Metrix Create Space, in Capitol Hill. http://metrixcreatespace.com/

I'm still a little intimidated by the weight of their crushing intellect whenever I go to the dojo, but the friendly people make it bearable ;)

Being a NYC dev, I get the feeling most of the local hackerspaces are mostly hardware/art centric (Resistor or Alpha One), or they are co-working spaces first and community space second (New Work City).

For a $100 a month I'd been in a NYC Hacker Dojo at least 2-4 evenings a week if it was more of a start-up/developer type space than the others.

The dojo is nice enough to host me for the co-founders meetup. It's a great place, great people. If you are nearby Mountain View, check it out.

PS: it's one of the few places that let me bring alcohol, no questions asked. It makes for so much better socializing :-)

Do any hackerspsces prohibit alcohol?

Hacker Dojo does not. In fact, we have BYOB Happy Hours every Friday at 6pm. Come on by, I'll give anybody a tour!

Hacker Dojo has a happy hour with mojitos every Friday around 6pm. Come by and say hi!

I have been on the Dojo mailing list since well before launch but unfortunately the $100/month membership fee has prevented me from being able to enjoy in person. I resolve, however, that my business to at some point make enough to pay for this some day!

Noisebridge.net is cheaper -- and donation based - you can stop by for free, drop a $20 in the bucket and get right to hanging out and seeing whats going on.

The soldering on mondays is really cool.

Will definitely check it out. I'm SoMa-based anyways, so it'd be a lot closer than the Valley

The Dojo is a little bit more expensive so that we can improve the space for coworkers -- stuff like buying spare monitors, desks, chairs, heating & cooling, etc.

There's no overhead -- 100% of the member's cash goes into rent & improving the space. We have bi-weekly meetings where members can see how their money gets used.

Yes, I recognize they are differnt -- was posting it as an alternative.

BTW- I had a thought today after reading your post; why dont hackerspaces, like NoiseBridge and The Dojo partner with Techshop.ws -- It would be great to see if each membership could get you access, or partial access to each space.

Techshop is amazing.

You can drop in at Hacker Dojo for a $10/time suggested donation before you maybe become comfortable enough and affluent enough to afford it on a monthly basis ;)

I did not know that. I respect and understand operating costs too much to beg for exemption so it's nice to hear there's a codified way to go about it.

There's also exceptions (financial hardship), special arrangements made on a case by case basis

http://wiki.hackerdojo.com/w/page/25447/JoinTheDojo

The Dojo offers hardship memberships, and accepts work donations instead of money: https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=d...

Contact any of the email addresses on the hacker dojo web page and it will most likely get to the right person.

A bit off-topic:

I host Hack Fridays at Brown University in RI every friday. I'm seeing if I can open it to the general public, but if you'd like an email when I figure it out, email DTrejo [at] c̣ś.b̀r̉ọŵņ.ễd̃ǔ

I've always wanted to take the machine learning class but it looks too fast paced.

So what if I don't know what to do there? What if I can code or do something but with no direction?

The ML class has become popular and has been split into different streams. You might try the intro class. Plenty of direction is supplied in that class.

I guess I can try. Even the lower level classes feels too fast.

You're certainly free to come and just hang out, teach yourself a new program / environment, etc!

My take on the Machine Learning 101 class that just ended: http://btubbs.com/2011/02/26/machine-learning-101-course-eva...

Does anyone have a recommendation for a Hackerspace type place in Mission District?

Have you been to Noisebridge?

Thanks, turns out its just a few blocks away.

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