[Makers] association's name Adam Thomas adam.lloyd at gmail.com Tue Dec 14 23:31:18 EST 2010 Hi Makers, The first order of business after Make, Hack, Void inc's AGM is to illicit responses from the community on the name of the association. Some people have expressed concern that the 'hack' in the association's name has connotations with none hacker types and could cause problems with members' employers and with potential sponsors. Some members have also expressed that the name may not be a suitable name for the hackerspace itself. The committee has agreed to take a vote at the next committee meeting (which will be early in the new year) on the whether we should formally change the name of the association. We have been operating under the name Make, Hack, Void; for just over a year now and there is some brand recognition built up around that name. There is a number of places where that name would have to be updated if we decide to change it officially. Some of these places would incur fees and general committee administrative over head. Furthermore, some members have spent money from their pocket on cards and t-shirts with the name Make, Hack, Void printed on them. We have a few options; the one with the least administrative over head is to keep the name Make, Hack, Void and use it for all of the business conducted by the association and name the space after it. A close second is to leave the association named Make, Hack, Void inc as it is now, and come up with a separate name for the space. The third option is to come up with a new name for the association and the space. We are looking for input from the community on: a) should we officially change the association's name? b) do you have any suggestions for a new name for the association or for the hackerspace? Adam. President Make, Hack, Void inc
[Makers] association's name Angus Gratton gus at projectgus.com Wed Dec 15 08:44:22 EST 2010 On Tue, 2010-12-14 at 22:31 +1000, Adam Thomas wrote: > a) should we officially change the association's name? I'd like to know if anyone has faced actual problems due to our name. I see entirely the potential for it to be a problem, and I think we definitely need to be careful when presenting ourselves to the "non-hacker world" (hence the explanation of the meaning on our own web page, for instance.) However, I can't think of anything bad that has actually happened to us on account of our name. We have a positive relationship with ACT Property Group, have potential sponsors, have dealt with landlords, have managed to obtain insurance quotes, etc. To my knowledge, noone has yet been pulled into a small room by ASIO and asked pointed questions. If it is actually causing a real problem for people[1] and likely to impact us as an association, then I am for changing it. Otherwise, I am for keeping it - for all the reasons people have already outlined. Regards, Angus [1] Beyond the need to answer an awkward question or append a caveat to a statement.
[Makers] names Jack Pittar jpittar at bigpond.net.au Wed Dec 15 23:52:45 EST 2010 A bit more background to the consideration of a name change. The last previous committee meeting was our AGM. Any business affecting the constitution has to be done at the AGM. So, this is more or less the last chance to consider a name change. The term "hack" is is a mild problem with security at work for me - certainly not a show stopper. If I did take up a position on the committee, I would have to inform our security. The word "Hack" would start alarm bells ringing, and I would have to give an explanation, and probably have to submit a copy of the constitution etc, etc. Anyway, for me the problem has gone away because I did not stand for a committee position. However; this could be a problem for others in the future. I feel the work "hack" will, at times may be an impediment in negotiation with potential sponsors, and in making arrangement with community organisations. I expect that sometimes we just won't get past first base, and never know why. Having said that, though, I recognise that the committee has not found the name to be a problem with the agencies they have dealt with so far. My proposal was that we officially change our registered trading name to MHVinc, and leave our generally known name as Make, hack, void. No need to change cards, T shirts, etc. Others on the committe suggested if someone thinks of a really cool name, this is the last chance to use it. I googled the list of all hackerspace names, and it soon became apparent that a name, that indicated what we do and where we are, was preferable to a name that would not be recognised by anyone from outside regions. While thinking of names, some words come up again and again; Techbusters Makers 2600 42 @ Canberra Capital Any combination of the above would not surpass Make Hack Void. The name for our space is not too difficult. In looking through the list, the word "Hackerspace" stands out as a pretty much a done deal. Associated words to mix and match; Canberra Capital 2600 Bat cave Jack.
Copyright 2010 http://www.makehackvoid.com/