[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/