So tonight’s hackspace session has prompted discussions of renaming the hackspace. The popular consensus and opinion of a few of us is that using “makerspace” is friendlier and more appealing to a wider group of people.
Whilst I’m sure this will divide opinions, I think it’s a perfect opportunity to open discussion for the idea of re-inventing our appeal to members, current and prospective.
So - ideas are very welcome and this topic will serve as a spring board for these. Please comment your ideas below! What do you think? Should we keep the locale-specific “Surrey and Hampshire”, or change to a more generic name (e.g. SoMakeIt, Geeklabs etc).
Any ideas of names using acronyms? E.g. "Surrey and Hampshire Makerspace"
Some names that started to crop up:
I personally like the “Surrey and Hampshire” part. I totally agree that makerspace appeals to a wider audience. Also “Hack/Hacker” has a distinct stigma in the world outside of hackers, I have fallen foul of it several times.
I also remember trying to explain to someone what a hackspace is, I said they’re often also called a makerspace and instantly the penny dropped, and his reaction was to say why aren’t we called a makerspace as it describes exactly what we do.
As a previously occasional attendee (and long time lurker) I agree with this, so if a name change goes ahead I think that a change from hackspace to makerspace can only be a good thing and also with the inclusion of the locale reference of Surrey and Hampshire improves the chance of people searching on-line being directed here.
The general consensus seems to be that moving is certainly a good idea. For most of us, it will still be fondly referred to as ‘hackspace’ - a lot of us see the terms as synonymous, but new members and the wider maker community do not.
We’ve set the wheels in motion the IRC channel has now be renamed #sh-makerspace, and I am starting work on updating logos and such. There’ll be a voting/submission post on this soon.
the IRC channel has now be renamed 