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While I like the concept of maker spaces, they vary so much from space to space. The space nearest to me was started by people whose primary interest is Burnin

While I like the concept of maker spaces, they vary so much from space to space. The space nearest to me was started by people whose primary interest is Burning man. I toured the shop and it was... chaotic at best. They reconfigured the shop to focus on whatever contraption they were planning for next years show. They seemed to say whatever they could to potential paying customers just to collect their money and keep the shop running. They cut some serious corners on safety and I don't think I could have accomplished the tasks that I set out to do had a gone down the maker space route. I realize that other shops might be different.

crankylinuxuser 7y ago
Hackerspaces are very much like that. I've been to hackerspaces... 2 in Indiana 1 in Baltimore 1 in Washington DC 1 in Cambridge (MA) 1 in Louisville (tomorrow evening) They all are packed in whatever space they could rent. Safety is like the safety of a shop floor: dont be stupid around machines that can deglove, cut, burn, or electrocute you. And every place had points of contact to ask about proper safe operations, and all had abundant PPE. Makerspaces.. well, my first feeling is it's a pretty name in place of "hacker". Secondly, 'maker' has heavier commercial usage with commercial 'makerspaces'. They aren't seat-of-pants operation like a hackerspace can be. Ive also noticed that places that call themselves "makerspaces" also seem to discourage open house nights, and focus on "call for a walkthrough".