>. The machine shop at my university was free. Paid for by tax payers is not free. I agree that there should be government investment in hacker spaces since t

>. The machine shop at my university was free. Paid for by tax payers is not free. I agree that there should be government investment in hacker spaces since they are just machine shops that aren't stuck in 1950. The name however was stupid and killed any take up by government. Maker spaces were a slightly better rebranding which at least didn't actively push sponsors away. >If boutique makerspaces work, then ask yourself why this place failed. Because at $100 a month it wasn't boutique. If you want the top end you do what universities do: charge $2k a month and give scholarships to the worth while members who can't afford that.