[Coworking] Re: Jan 11, 2008: Open coworking Brighton at The Werks
Hi Tara, Any chance of access to post? We are continuing the friday open coworking, but have been feverishly getting other things up and running to expand our coworking offerings. With the idea of 'no barriers to entry' over the next few weeks we will opening other spaces within The Werks and holding other events and workshops etc for freelancers & nomads http://upcoming.yahoo.com/venue/99520/ I'm particularly excited about Rosies Girl Geek dinner too as part of the great thing about this openness is the number of interesting people who now come through. Sorry, that turned into a bit of a ramble, but the original point was, it would be nice to be able to be a bit more public about what we are offering as we add new things. James On 5 Jan 2008, at 18:02, Tara Hunt wrote: > If you login to: > > http://blog.coworking.info/wp-admin > > with your regular WP username/password, you should have author > privileges. :) > > Tara > > On Jan 5, 2008 10:00 AM, Tara Hunt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Awesome. Wish I was in the UK! > > I put a link to your site on the Blogroll...did you want to post > this on the blog as a post as well? > > Tara > > > On Jan 5, 2008 9:19 AM, Neil Ford < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Found on upcoming.com, crossposted for anyone interested. > > http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/399483/ > > In the spirit of Open Coffee / beer / juice, The Werks is opening up > on Friday's for free coworking to developers, writers, creatives, > freelancers and independents. > > The deal: come along (9:30 onwards), use our space, broadband and > facilities and in return; respect the space and the people in it, > collaborate and if you found it worthwhile come again. > HOMEPAGE > http://coworking.pbwiki.com/CoworkingBrighton > > - Neil. > > > coFounder > Citizen Agency ( www.citizenagency.com) > blog: www.horsepigcow.com > phone: 415-694-1951 > fax: 415-727-5335 > > > > -- > tara 'miss rogue' hunt > coFounder > Citizen Agency (www.citizenagency.com) > blog: www.horsepigcow.com > phone: 415-694-1951 > fax: 415-727-5335 > > --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[Coworking] Re: Jan 11, 2008: Open coworking Brighton at The Werks
Thanks Tara, James On 5 Mar 2008, at 23:51, Tara Hunt wrote: > Yep! i'll invite ya to the blog > > Tara > > On Wed, Mar 5, 2008 at 2:43 PM, James McCarthy <[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > wrote: > Hi Tara, > > Any chance of access to post? We are continuing the friday open > coworking, but have been feverishly getting other things up and > running to expand our coworking offerings. With the idea of 'no > barriers to entry' over the next few weeks we will opening other > spaces within The Werks and holding other events and workshops etc > for freelancers & nomads http://upcoming.yahoo.com/venue/99520/ I'm > particularly excited about Rosies Girl Geek dinner too as part of > the great thing about this openness is the number of interesting > people who now come through. > > Sorry, that turned into a bit of a ramble, but the original point > was, it would be nice to be able to be a bit more public about what > we are offering as we add new things. > > James > > > > > > On 5 Jan 2008, at 18:02, Tara Hunt wrote: > >> If you login to: >> >> http://blog.coworking.info/wp-admin >> >> with your regular WP username/password, you should have author >> privileges. :) >> >> Tara >> >> On Jan 5, 2008 10:00 AM, Tara Hunt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> Awesome. Wish I was in the UK! >> >> I put a link to your site on the Blogroll...did you want to post >> this on the blog as a post as well? >> >> Tara >> >> >> On Jan 5, 2008 9:19 AM, Neil Ford < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >> Found on upcoming.com, crossposted for anyone interested. >> >> http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/399483/ >> >> In the spirit of Open Coffee / beer / juice, The Werks is opening up >> on Friday's for free coworking to developers, writers, creatives, >> freelancers and independents. >> >> The deal: come along (9:30 onwards), use our space, broadband and >> facilities and in return; respect the space and the people in it, >> collaborate and if you found it worthwhile come again. >> HOMEPAGE >> http://coworking.pbwiki.com/CoworkingBrighton >> >> - Neil. >> >> >> coFounder >> Citizen Agency ( www.citizenagency.com) >> blog: www.horsepigcow.com >> phone: 415-694-1951 >> fax: 415-727-5335 >> >> >> >> -- >> tara 'miss rogue' hunt >> coFounder >> Citizen Agency (www.citizenagency.com) >> blog: www.horsepigcow.com >> phone: 415-694-1951 >> fax: 415-727-5335 >> >> > > > > > > > -- > tara 'miss rogue' hunt > coFounder > Citizen Agency (www.citizenagency.com) > blog: www.horsepigcow.com > phone: 415-694-1951 > fax: 415-727-5335 > > --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[Coworking] Re: Contracts
Alex, I pulled down a copy of your pdf from the wiki, amended it a bit and put it into word, any objections to me posting it back up on the wiki for others consumption as the pdf -> word conversion consumed a chunk of time it would be good to save anybody else that chore. James James McCarthy [EMAIL PROTECTED] On 5 Jan 2008, at 05:03, Alex Hillman wrote: > Patrick, > I think this is a tricky one to answer because due to use cases, > leasing agreements, and a zillion other factors every space's > agreement would likely be different. > > You're welcome to take a look at the IndyHall agreement (found at > http://www.indyhall.org/pricing/membership-application/) > . When I posted back in the summer asking for help, I only found one > "TOS" type agreement that ended up being modified and turned into > this document that we use. > > It's admittedly longer than I'd like, but covered all of the bases > we were interested in and so far, nobody has raised any issues. > > Are you going to be doing month-to-month agreements or long term > agreements? > > -Alex, IndyHall, Philadelphia > > On Jan 4, 2008 8:53 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > wrote: > > Hi, > > We are in the process of signing our members for our February opening. > I'm wondering, with so many coworking spaces now open, I'm sure > someone has a member contract no? I'd be very grateful if you could > post it here or email me a version. > > > Thx, > Patrick > > > . > > Station C > > Espace de coworking à Montréal dans le coeur du Milend > Coworking space in Montréal in the heart of the Milend > > http://station-c.com > > > > > > -- > - > -- > - > Alex Hillman > web.developer.innovation.consultant > vocal: 484.597.6256 > digital: [EMAIL PROTECTED] | skype: dangerouslyawesome > visual: www.weknowhtml.com | www.dangerouslyawesome.com > local: www.indyhall.org > > --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[Coworking] Re: met:space - Coworking in Leeds, UK
Hi Imran,
If you are ever down on the south coast there is a coworking space
here for you ;)
James
On 11 Feb 2008, at 21:51, Imran... wrote:
>
> Hey everyone - just wanted to let the group know about met:space, a
> coworking space we just launched in Leeds, located at former old BBC
> facility (Old Broadcasting House) now operated by Leeds Met
> University.
>
> The university acquired the property about 18 months ago, filled it
> with $200k of Apple equipment and then didn't know what to do next! So
> we helped them think about developing a coworking community,
> understanding and applying the values of the community, develop some
> pricing plans & extras as well start creating a culture and plug them
> into the city's meetup culture and the university's tech & creative
> schools :)
>
> It's gone pretty well so far with a half dozen residents (designers,
> developers, PR, R&D, investors), so we wanted to share all that we'd
> learned with the wider community on the economics and culture and also
> to thank y'all for sharing the idealism, values and motivations that
> helped get met:space off the ground.
>
> We helped met:space with some backend stuff too, so we're really happy
> to help the group here with what we learned on billing, ticketing,
> social software and publishing.
>
> You can find out more at... { www.oldbroadcastinghouse.com }
> >
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[Coworking] Re: South London (Battersea?) Coworking Space
"This isn't coworking, this is M&S coworking" Looks beautiful. If you're down Brighton way, give us a shout at The Werks. James On 24 Mar 2008, at 09:34, webponce wrote: > > D'oh! > As is always the way, the minute you reach out for help, you solve the > problem yourself: > http://www.lebu.biz/ > > Note to the space providers: couldn't find you in Google! :) > > Matthew. > > On Mar 24, 9:27 am, webponce <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> Hi Guys >> >> My name is matthew knight, i'm currently a technical lead at a >> digital >> agency in london, but will be leaving in a few months and want to >> start looking for coworking spaces to work as a freelancer in. I've >> been a subscriber for quite a while, as I'm really interested in >> helping out starting up a space too, but in the mean time, want to >> get >> busy just using them. I seem to remember mention of a coworking space >> starting up in battersea/clapham in SW London (i think it was on/near >> lavender hill), but i have googled with no avail. >> >> Does anyone in the London set remember this being posted, or have a >> URL i can visit? >> >> thanks! >> >> matthew. > > --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[Coworking] Re: Ch-Ch-Change
Patrick We spent a lot of time thinking about our structure and as Alex has said, lots of talk of models has gone on. I think there are several dimensions in play here that should be taken into consideration; What are the working patterns of your clients / prospective clients Where do they fit on a Need Flexibility <--- +> Need to Belong kind of scale What prices make people come out of their home office & starbucks without it becoming a "I paid for it so I MUST use it" guilt trip And finally the Peter Krug factor: how quickly can what's on offer be clearly understood We puzzled over these, but mostly we just opened up regularly which (by accident more than design) allowed us to observe these things interacting. In the end I came up with 3 models that seem to work for us; They are in the licence here: https://coworking.pbwiki.com/Licences+and+Agreements James On 26 Mar 2008, at 22:37, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > Hi, > > We (Station C) have been open for nearly 2 months and we're wondering > if maybe a change in our plan structure would make sense. I'll detail > them further down this message -- and our new idea -- and you can give > me your opinion based on those details but my basic question would be: > most of you don't offer hourly plans for desks. Why? > > > > Right now we have resident members who have a reserved desk and full > time access ($330/month), we'll keep those. > > We also have Flex 14 and Flex 28 memberships who pay $143 and $236 a > month for 14 and 28 hours a week between 9am and 6pm, to be booked > online (through email currently). > > Flex signups are a bit slower than expected (although we have more > residents so we are a bit ahead of estimates overall) so we're > thinking of retooling the Flex plans to Flex Points where members > would buy bundles of points, something like 200 at $3.25/pt and use > them whenever, again booked online, expiring after 6 months. 1 point > for one desk hour, tbd number of points for meeting and conference > room hours. We would also have smaller and larger bundles but the 200 > would give members something similar to our current Flex 14 with the > added bonus of more freedom, of skipping a week for a vacation or > coming every day when in crunch mode. > > Space isn't an issue, logistics neither since we have the webapp for > booking in the works anyway. The big disadvantage for us would be no > recurrent cash entry or at least more spreadout and maybe more > uncertain renewals as well as, in theory, the potential for more > booking conflicts if everyone "crunches at the same time". > > The big advantage would be for members who don't have to worry wetter > they'll use 14 hours every week, the setup would be even more flexible > for them. We would be "gambling'" that more flexibility and simplicity > means more members and if we're right everyone would be happy. > > Last thing; we are also considering expanding business hours nights > and saturday. > > Thoughts? Questions? > > > Thx > Patrick > > http://station-c.com > > --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[Coworking] Re: Sample Membership Agreements?
I popped a copy of ours which borrows heavily from independents hall and citizen space. I added a page that gives a clear lowdown on what coworking is all about (thanks Citizen space web site) and tweaked Alex's contract to suite a UK environment and to support the 3 options we are operating. https://coworking.pbwiki.com/Licences-and-Agreements I started a page there, hope it isn't messing up the wiki structure, I just couldn't work out where to post it. There are word and pages versions if anybody wants a copy in either format just drop me a note. Cheers James On 25 Mar 2008, at 23:21, Dave G wrote: > > Thanks for the help folks, I'll try to make better use of that in the > future. > > On Mar 25, 9:11 am, Jason <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> Hi Dave, >> >> I found the agreement in the Files section extremely useful as a >> template. Obviously there were some things that needed to changing >> since our group isn't an existing business. Generally though it >> was a >> good place to start. INAL, but it is generally a good idea to have a >> contract over a simple application. It is basically required for me >> to be in such a space while working on projects that have Non- >> disclosures. >> >> Jason >> >> On Mar 25, 12:51 am, Hillary Hartley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >>> This has been discussed quite a bit in this group. Give the >>> search a >>> whirl and see what you can find. Also, there is at least one sample >>> agreement in the Files section: >>> http://groups.google.com/group/coworking/files >> >>> Hillary >> >>> On Mar 24, 12:36 am, Dave G <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> Morning, >> I've found a few spaces I've become interested in, calling offices later on in the day. >> For those of you who have successfully started coworking locales, what are some of the terms and conditions you include in your agreements for members? Do you include a contract as part of the application process, or is it simply an application individuals fill out, pay their dues and they receive a key? >> Thanks, >> Dave > > > --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[Coworking] Re: Ch-Ch-Change
On 26 Mar 2008, at 22:41, Tara Hunt wrote: > It sounds counter-intuitive, but we found that the more 'flexible' > we made a membership, the less people were likely to use them. Now > we have two memberships: you have desk or you are a drop-in. :) Our > desks are all full and we have a waiting list. +1 on this, I found the greater flexibility is in removing the need for coworkers to have to think too hard about what option and payments etc they have to choose so we settled on 3 offerings; Day Tripper: occasional and only during standard office hours (which is pretty lax in Brighton). No fee, but it is nice if you put something back in (whether in kind, a donation or just helping out another coworker). Regular Joe: 2-3 times a week during standard office hours. Paid subscription a month in advance $120 + Tax (60 GBP). Early Bird / Night Owl: 3-4 times a week, need to come and go outside of standard office hours, get own keys. Paid subscription $200 + Tax (100 GBP) plus key deposit $100. We don't track their time in detail it just adds overhead for us and the members, the easiest way is to trust to people honour and it is easy to spot if somebody is abusing the system. With a couple of regular standing subscriptions people know what they are paying, know the deal and don't have to spend any additional time during the month thinking about what they are paying for coworking, the more choices you give people, the more time they have to spend thinking about which choice they are going to make. So in a nutshell, I say, condense things down to the simplest couple of choices that people can make once a month or even offer 3 or 6 month subscriptions and then add to that flexibility so people don't feel they have to closely track their usage. James > > > T > > On Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 3:37 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > wrote: > > Hi, > > We (Station C) have been open for nearly 2 months and we're wondering > if maybe a change in our plan structure would make sense. I'll detail > them further down this message -- and our new idea -- and you can give > me your opinion based on those details but my basic question would be: > most of you don't offer hourly plans for desks. Why? > > > > Right now we have resident members who have a reserved desk and full > time access ($330/month), we'll keep those. > > We also have Flex 14 and Flex 28 memberships who pay $143 and $236 a > month for 14 and 28 hours a week between 9am and 6pm, to be booked > online (through email currently). > > Flex signups are a bit slower than expected (although we have more > residents so we are a bit ahead of estimates overall) so we're > thinking of retooling the Flex plans to Flex Points where members > would buy bundles of points, something like 200 at $3.25/pt and use > them whenever, again booked online, expiring after 6 months. 1 point > for one desk hour, tbd number of points for meeting and conference > room hours. We would also have smaller and larger bundles but the 200 > would give members something similar to our current Flex 14 with the > added bonus of more freedom, of skipping a week for a vacation or > coming every day when in crunch mode. > > Space isn't an issue, logistics neither since we have the webapp for > booking in the works anyway. The big disadvantage for us would be no > recurrent cash entry or at least more spreadout and maybe more > uncertain renewals as well as, in theory, the potential for more > booking conflicts if everyone "crunches at the same time". > > The big advantage would be for members who don't have to worry wetter > they'll use 14 hours every week, the setup would be even more flexible > for them. We would be "gambling'" that more flexibility and simplicity > means more members and if we're right everyone would be happy. > > Last thing; we are also considering expanding business hours nights > and saturday. > > Thoughts? Questions? > > > Thx > Patrick > > http://station-c.com > > > > > -- > tara 'miss rogue' hunt > coFounder > Citizen Agency (www.citizenagency.com) > blog: www.horsepigcow.com > phone: 415-694-1951 > fax: 415-727-5335 > > --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[Coworking] Re: Introduction
On 27 Mar 2008, at 18:04, Alex Hillman wrote: > I really love this corkboard idea! I think we'll start one as well, > along with some member bios in the near future. Ages ago when I was running a big team (60-90) people) we turned a large wall into a kind of personal mural so the disparate corners of the team could wonder by and ponder on things they didn't know about others in the team, a kind of cork board Ning. Just yesterday a friend reminded me of it when she came back from The Hub in Bristol all excited about their wall of polaroid snaps with hand scribbled bio's. I love those old polaroid cameras and want to get a snap of all the people who come through The Werks. Somebody also suggested we make a Moo card mural, with all the artists coming through I am sure we could get something pretty out of it. What do you think Rosie (I am assuming you are lurking) :) > > > Keep on rocking! > > -Alex, IndyHall, Philadelphia > > On Thu, Mar 27, 2008 at 12:51 PM, Bryce <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Welcome Kelly! There're a handful of us not far from you (Columbus) > also trying to start a space. Right now, we're doing casual coworking > sessions on Fridays. > > Following on excellent advice from this group (Alex Hillman in > particular) we're working on building our community while the space > and other details work themselves out. We're about three weeks in at > this point, and it's been a lot of fun. Check out these smiling faces: > http://www.flickr.com/groups/corkboard/ > > If you can get a Friday away, I really encourage you to come down and > meet with us. We can offer support and encouragement, at the least. > > More info here: > http://corkboardcolumb.us > http://coworking.pbwiki.com/CoworkingColumbus > > Best regards, > Bryce > > > > > -- > -- > - > -- > - > Alex Hillman > round(3)media new! ask me about it > digital: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > visual: www.round3media.com | www.dangerouslyawesome.com > local: www.indyhall.org > > --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[Coworking] Re: Introduction
James McCarthy http://thewerks.org.uk On 2 Apr 2008, at 17:41, Jacob Sayles wrote: > > Filbert, > > There are lots of ways to raise capitol and the "right" solution is a > personal choice. Susan and I loaned the money to ourselves after > pulling it from investments and my house. You can also just get a > flat out small business loan if you have a solid business plan. I'm > sure if you are working with Eva and David you do. You can also sell > "shares" to people and figure out what they get in return. We are in an old bank building and one of the things they left behind were a whole bunch of blank share certificates... we really should use them for something. > If you get > creative, there are all sorts of possibilities. Do you have both of > your kidneys? > > Jacob > > On Wed, Apr 2, 2008 at 9:06 AM, Filbert <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >> Hello good circle! >> >> My name is Chris Fillie and I am interested in, first and foremost, >> community. My long term plan, and education, is to facilitate the >> health of community networks through the construction of the built >> environment. I essentially want to develop real estate that is human >> scaled, healthy, and conscious in how affects human interaction. I >> have a Masters in Construction Management from UF with concentration >> in Sustainable Construction, and am a LEED AP (USGBC). My >> undergraduate work (10 years ago, ahhh time flies!) was in >> environmental science and women's studies, with a special focus on >> systems ecology and ecological feminism and how they both explore the >> devaluation of unpaid labor and the subsequent breakdown of human and >> ecological systems that ensued- and that we must heartily reverse. I >> interned with Village Habitat Design www.villagehabitat.com in >> Hotlanta developing Co-Housing projects... is this where Co-working >> got its coinage??? or is it simply from co-worker?? Anyhoo, I have a >> sustainable-slanting artspace in downtown Gainesville that this >> concept has helped solidify a direction for. THANKYOU COWORKERS!!! >> >> Business plans being my weak point, and already having lost a year >> rent, I will be busy studying this site and modifying the CubeSpace >> plan for my location... I am booked up with very intense >> installations >> this whole month (which I won't do again) but am looking for co- >> workers to join the artists and I already, well, co-working. >> >> PS I make my living building furniture and have a woodshop in the >> back, total sf is 3300, w/ a nice courtyard. The name is George's >> Meet >> and Produce, after the original circa 30' store, "George's Meat and >> Produce." >> >> PPS Anyone know a good way to raise capital... ala small community >> investment??? >> >> :) >> >>> >> > > > --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[Coworking] Re: Ch-Ch-Change
We get anywhere between 1 - 15 or so people, but that isn't as yet an issue as we have the capacity, but come the day it is, we have been working on a side project so that people can just ping us (probably via twitter) to see who is there and if there is space. James McCarthy http://thewerks.org.uk On 28 Mar 2008, at 23:46, Chris Messina wrote: > > We've never had too many people since we've been open. In some ways, > this is why the reservation system proved to be unnecessary once we > got underway. I was sure that having a reservation system would be > necessary to "assure" people that they wouldn't be wasting their time > if they showed up... turned out that we typically have 2-3 people > most of the time, maybe up to 5, but rarely more than that. > > It could be because we don't do any promotion and people find out > about us through the web or word or mouth, but it's just not been an > issue. > > Now, *were* it to become an issue and we became insanely popular with > 15-20 dropins showing up, that's different, but that would radically > change our business, and make it worthwhile to invest in some kind of > scheduling or charging scenario. One thing we've learned though, given > how easy it is to build a custom Rails app these days, is to not > prematurely optimize or to invest in behavior that may never > materialize. It's almost as though you want to reach a pain threshold > where you *must* take action... taking action in advance of something > is a risk that a bootstrapped project probably should avoid, if only > to limit wasting resources. > > Y'know? Now, that isn't to say that you *can't* build something like > this, maybe to attract new folks, but we've seen personal connections > and community tend to be *much* ways to build interest. Anyway...! ;) > > Chris > > On Fri, Mar 28, 2008 at 11:40 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >> Thanks everyone, some food for thought there. A few of the models you >> mention I hadn't heard of. I'm wondering though, how are you planning >> to manage overcrowding on some days? If you have no schedule or >> booking and people are free to drop by any day, some days you'll have >> "too many" people no? >> >> Most of us are not running at full capacity yet but it will come and >> I'm wondering if these loose systems will work as well. >> >> Not that hour banks will fix that but wetter we change systems or >> not, >> we plan on a booking site so people can confirm a desk before heading >> here. The bigger advantage you mention for the day or half day >> systems >> is less management which, again, I'm afraid will lead to too many >> people on some days. >> >> >> Patrick >> >> >>> >> > > > > -- > Chris Messina > Citizen-Participant & > Open Source Advocate-at-Large > Work: http://citizenagency.com > Blog: http://factoryjoe.com/blog > Cell: 412.225.1051 > IM: factoryjoe > This email is: [ ] bloggable [X] ask first [ ] private > > > --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[Coworking] Re: Running Events vs. Memberships
As usual Alex says it all very clearly. On the subject of taking donations / fees I try to avoid calling it donations I tend to want people to think about the value they received personally so suggest people make a contribution based on value, we have some really cool people around who add great value by attending events and making other kinds of contributions and I don't want to discourage that just because they are skint. Peter Koenig has some good thoughts on the whole money vs value thing: http://peterkoenig.typepad.com/ James McCarthy http://thewerks.org.uk On 30 Mar 2008, at 16:10, Alex Hillman wrote: > So we've been hosting a few different types of events since our > opening: > 1) Our own programming (educational) > 2) Our own programming (social) > 3) Someone else's event (that is just getting started) > 4) Someone else's event (that's been active for a while but desires > a "better" venue, and is interested in us). > > For our own programming, to date, everything has been totally free > for members and non members. Recently, our event schedule has gotten > a bit busier, we've put some more of our resources into them, and > have been thinking about charging. > > The decision was to use the donation methodology since most people > that attend our events really seem to like them. Generally (this > isn't a rule, just a trend), if someone likes the event they'd > donate more than we'd ask in the first place. We're going to start > accepting donations for our events (educational and social) to help > cover ongoing costs of managing and running them. Larger events that > take more planning, we may put a fixed door price on (with a reduced > rate for members)...but that really is only if we have large > materials costs to cover. > > I think of it this way: your events are marketing to get potential > users. Making them cheap or free is advantageous because you get > good turnouts (no barrier to entry, no excuses). Events are the only > thing we've ever had in our "marketing budget", and have had a good > deal of success. > > Hosting someone else's event is where things get interesting and > this one's up to your own philosophy. Since I'm not financially > loaded, I don't have money to contribute to local groups that are > doing things that we think are cool and align with our values. What > we do have, is space and time (ok, we don't have time, but I'm > getting good at faking it). So while I can't make a financial > contribution to a new meetup/social group that I like, I can donate > an evening to host their event while they get together some > sponsorship money. > > If the event has been running for a while and simply wants to use > our space regularly or from time to time, we deal with their > financials on a case by case basis. > > Again, recently, we've had an influx of such events. We've spoken > with the organizers and they've agreed to a similar model we have > with our own events: it's "free" while you're getting started, but > don't wear out your welcome...if you can pull together some $$ for > us, we can be sure that you have this place to have your event for > the long term. > > The organizers have been receptive and have been more than willing > to pull together money by their second event, and in some cases, by > their first. > > Also...don't be afraid to turn down events. If the event isn't > something that you think is cool, you're going to be pretty bummed > about hanging around late. Nothing is worse than resenting a group > for keeping you late at the office. There's nothing wrong with > saying no. > > The last thing I want to mention is that our methodologies are > rooted in the fact that we wanted to foster community in > Philadelphia, not just at IndyHall. > > -Alex, IndyHall, Philadelphia > > On Sat, Mar 29, 2008 at 2:27 PM, Tony Bacigalupo <[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > wrote: > > Coworking space owners! > > I was wondering how you handled running events vis a vis your > membership systems. If you're running a lunchtime or evening event for > a couple of hours, do attendees need to have paid memberships and/or > pay for admission that day? > > It seems to me to be a bit of a tricky gray area between being an open > community space versus being a membership-based business. > > Thoughts? Tips? > > Thanks! > Tony > CoworkingNY > > > > > -- > -- > - > -- > - > Alex Hillman > round(3)media new! ask me about it > digital: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > visual: www.round3media.com | www.dangerouslyawesome.com > local: www.indyhall.org > > --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[Coworking] Re: Running Events vs. Memberships
On 30 Mar 2008, at 06:38, Tara Hunt wrote: > At CS, we treat events as open houses, but sometimes put the 'cost' > on the organizers (who can collect $$ if they want). We charge the > organizers a convenience fee (ours is ridiculously low = $25)...if > they want to recoup it, they can ask attendees. For community things we either are free or ask for a "convenience donation". If it is a very occasional event that benefits the "Werkers" (anybody who has worked or coworked at the werks) then we don't tend to charge, but if we ask for a donation I tend to ask the organiser to donate what they thought the value was and will usually give a guideline of £10 ($20) per hour evenings & £30-45 for a weekend day. If they are making money off using the space we ask more, but all things are negotiable, we just try to be fair and not make pricing a barrier. I tend to encourage our members to come along to events unless they are obviously closed sessions. I don't think of there being a distinction between being community based or being a membership business there is a virtuous circle by being both. The more community overlaps with the business the greater the opportunities for both. > > > T > > > > On Sat, Mar 29, 2008 at 11:42 AM, Lisa Thompson <[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > wrote: > Not being an owner YET these are instinctual thoughts, but I would > think the event could also be a venue for getting more customers and > limiting it to paid members would prevent that whole angle. On the > other hand, if the event is rather expensive and you are seeking to > reward your members and don't want freeloaders.. then you limit it. > > Just my .02.. > > Lisa > > > On Sat, Mar 29, 2008 at 2:27 PM, Tony Bacigalupo <[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > wrote: > > Coworking space owners! > > I was wondering how you handled running events vis a vis your > membership systems. If you're running a lunchtime or evening event for > a couple of hours, do attendees need to have paid memberships and/or > pay for admission that day? > > It seems to me to be a bit of a tricky gray area between being an open > community space versus being a membership-based business. > > Thoughts? Tips? > > Thanks! > Tony > CoworkingNY > > > > > -- > Lisa Thompson > > Media PA CoWorking Meetup > http://socialnetwork.meetup.com/964/ > Blog: http://theoffice.tumblr.com > Tweeter: @lithompson friendfeed: http://friendfeed.com/theoffice > > > > > > > -- > tara 'miss rogue' hunt > coFounder > Citizen Agency (www.citizenagency.com) > blog: www.horsepigcow.com > phone: 415-694-1951 > fax: 415-727-5335 > > --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[Coworking] Re: bongs and frat boys
James McCarthy http://thewerks.org.uk On 31 Mar 2008, at 21:15, David Doolin wrote: > > On Mon, Mar 31, 2008 at 1:09 PM, Tony Bacigalupo > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> I was just going to post something... the direct link to the CNN >> video is >> here: >> http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2008/03/31/ >> labarre.coworking.cnn?iref=videosearch >> >> Chris: I vote for "we've arrived". When a tabloid writes up how >> Paris Hilton >> is "coworking" at a Starbucks, then we're screwed. > > Naw, man, Paris rocks! > > Seriously, the way coworking spaces are structured, they can't be > operationally hijacked. I don't think the meme can be externally > hijacked either, as long as coworking remains sufficiently inclusive > to stay economically self-sufficient. I had started seeing some hi-jacking of wiki pages by traditional "office space" vendors dumping adds on them. A couple of the UK pages got this kind of low level spam for a bit. > > > >> >> Barring celebrity or giant conglomerate hijacking, I'd say it's all >> good :-) >> >> Has anyone seen any uptick in response? They sort of fudged the >> linking at >> the end; sounds like Polly wanted to point out some more links but >> ran out >> of time. >> >> >> >> >> On Mon, Mar 31, 2008 at 4:03 PM, Chris Messina <[EMAIL PROTECTED] >> > >> wrote: >> >>> >>> Wow, that's pretty awesome. Except the bonehead male commentator. >>> >>> Heh. Still, does this mean we've arrived or jumped the shark? ;) >>> >>> Chris >>> >>> >>> On Mon, Mar 31, 2008 at 12:58 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >>>> >>>> for those of you who missed it, CNN did a piece on coworking today. >>>> the female anchor did a great job describing coworking. her co- >>>> anchor >>>> likened coworking to frat boys with a big bong listening to led >>>> zeppelin. >>>> >>>> julie blogged about it here-- there's a link to the video: >>>> >>>> >> http://blog.launchpadcoworking.com/2008/03/31/coworking-as-breaking-news/ >>>> >>>> spike >>>> www.launchpadcoworking.com >>>>> >>>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Chris Messina >>> Citizen-Participant & >>> Open Source Advocate-at-Large >>> Work: http://citizenagency.com >>> Blog: http://factoryjoe.com/blog >>> Cell: 412.225.1051 >>> IM: factoryjoe >>> This email is: [ ] bloggable [X] ask first [ ] private >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >> >> >>> >> > > > > -- > http://tinobox.org/wordpress/ > linkedin, facebook, twitter, etc. > > > --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[Coworking] Re: Ch-Ch-Change
On 5 Apr 2008, at 18:12, Tara Hunt wrote: > Has anyone looked into the FireEagle API? I signed up. I want to get a public service up there when I am done with all this taxes & billing stuff that I'm current embroiled in. Eugh! > > > Tara > > On Fri, Apr 4, 2008 at 5:44 PM, James McCarthy <[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > wrote: > > We get anywhere between 1 - 15 or so people, but that isn't as yet an > issue as we have the capacity, but come the day it is, we have been > working on a side project so that people can just ping us (probably > via twitter) to see who is there and if there is space. > > James McCarthy > http://thewerks.org.uk > > > > On 28 Mar 2008, at 23:46, Chris Messina wrote: > > > > > We've never had too many people since we've been open. In some ways, > > this is why the reservation system proved to be unnecessary once we > > got underway. I was sure that having a reservation system would be > > necessary to "assure" people that they wouldn't be wasting their > time > > if they showed up... turned out that we typically have 2-3 people > > most of the time, maybe up to 5, but rarely more than that. > > > > It could be because we don't do any promotion and people find out > > about us through the web or word or mouth, but it's just not been an > > issue. > > > > Now, *were* it to become an issue and we became insanely popular > with > > 15-20 dropins showing up, that's different, but that would radically > > change our business, and make it worthwhile to invest in some kind > of > > scheduling or charging scenario. One thing we've learned though, > given > > how easy it is to build a custom Rails app these days, is to not > > prematurely optimize or to invest in behavior that may never > > materialize. It's almost as though you want to reach a pain > threshold > > where you *must* take action... taking action in advance of > something > > is a risk that a bootstrapped project probably should avoid, if only > > to limit wasting resources. > > > > Y'know? Now, that isn't to say that you *can't* build something like > > this, maybe to attract new folks, but we've seen personal > connections > > and community tend to be *much* ways to build interest. > Anyway...! ;) > > > > Chris > > > > On Fri, Mar 28, 2008 at 11:40 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> > >> Thanks everyone, some food for thought there. A few of the models > you > >> mention I hadn't heard of. I'm wondering though, how are you > planning > >> to manage overcrowding on some days? If you have no schedule or > >> booking and people are free to drop by any day, some days you'll > have > >> "too many" people no? > >> > >> Most of us are not running at full capacity yet but it will come > and > >> I'm wondering if these loose systems will work as well. > >> > >> Not that hour banks will fix that but wetter we change systems or > >> not, > >> we plan on a booking site so people can confirm a desk before > heading > >> here. The bigger advantage you mention for the day or half day > >> systems > >> is less management which, again, I'm afraid will lead to too many > >> people on some days. > >> > >> > >> Patrick > >> > >> > >>> > >> > > > > > > > > -- > > Chris Messina > > Citizen-Participant & > > Open Source Advocate-at-Large > > Work: http://citizenagency.com > > Blog: http://factoryjoe.com/blog > > Cell: 412.225.1051 > > IM: factoryjoe > > This email is: [ ] bloggable [X] ask first [ ] private > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > tara 'miss rogue' hunt > coFounder > Citizen Agency (www.citizenagency.com) > blog: www.horsepigcow.com > phone: 415-694-1951 > fax: 415-727-5335 > > --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[Coworking] Re: Fwd: prix ars electronica
I bunged a few words in but it is getting late and I'm tired... anybody want to add a few more? There was a great post some time back about the origins (probably from Alex) anybody want to cut and past that in? James On 2 Apr 2008, at 02:51, Tara Hunt wrote: > http://coworking.pbwiki.com/PrixarsCommunities > > T > > On Tue, Apr 1, 2008 at 6:50 PM, Tara Hunt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote: > Dave, > > The password is c0w0rking! :) But I can add it > > T > > > On Tue, Apr 1, 2008 at 6:47 PM, David Doolin > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I have forgotten my invite key to the coworking > wiki, and I am not really active enough to warrant > filling out myself, so pasted below is the > attached mswurd document in pbwiki format. > > > snip > > !Digital Communities > > Please enter the details about your project here. These (*) fields are > mandatory fields! > > > !! Title/Name of Project*: > > > > !! Type of Project*: > > * community project? > * social software? > * publication? > * other: > > > > !! Description of your project* > > What is your project about, who are the people involved and adressed. > You must enter min. 350 characters (maximum 3000) > > > > !! Web Address of the Project: > > > > > > > > !! Project Details (max. 3000 characters per question) > > > > !!! Objectives* > > What is the objective of your project? What is the common goal, topic, > interest, etc. of the community or the main uses of the software? > > > > > > !!!Language and context > > In which cultural and geographic context is the project rooted? > > > !!!Project History* > > What was the project's origin, when and how did it start? How did it > develop up to the present day? > > > > > > > !!! People* > > What is the core team carrying the project? How many (groups of) > individuals are currently involved as members or users? How would you > characterize the people participating in the project? Is access to the > project open or restricted? > > > > > > !!! Lessons learned: > > What has worked/what has not worked in the process of realisation of > your project? > > > > !! Technical Information (max. 3000 characters per question) > > > > !!! Technological basis* > > What is the technological basis of your project or software > (infrastructure, operating system environment, > connectivity/telecommunication, etc.) ? > > > > !!! Solutions > > If your submission is a software, please describe the problem it is > answering to, what solutions and most important features it offers. > > > > !!! Implementations > > > In what areas/sectors/regions is your software currently applied? > Where are running implementations of your software to be found? > > > > > !!! Users > > Who are its (potential) users and beneficiaries? > > > > !!! License > > Under what kinds of licenses do you make it available? How many > copies/licenses have so far been handed out/downloaded? > > > > !!! Statement of Reasons* > > Why the submitted project deserves to win a prize in the "Digital > Communities" category. > > > > > !!! Planned use of prize money*: > > > > > !! Contact > > * Role: > * Salutation: > * First name: > * Last name: > * Company/Institution: > * Street: > * City: > * Country: > * Telephone: > * Fax: > * E-mail: > > Your signature confirms that you agree to the competition regulations > in their entirety: http://www.aec.at/en/prix/registration/rights.asp > > > > > Place, date, signature > > snap > > > On Tue, Apr 1, 2008 at 6:28 PM, Tara Hunt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote: > > Hey there, > > > > I totally don't have time to fill this application out these days. > Coworking > > was nominated for an award, but we have to fill out the form. > > > > Anyone have a couple of hours on their hands these days? > > > > Tara > > > > -- Forwarded message -- > > From: Prixars Communities <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Date: Tue, Apr 1, 2008 at 12:59 AM > > Subject: prix ars electronica > > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hello, > > > > You are nominated by one of our advisors for the prix ars > electronica, > > therefore we extend the deadline for you until Friday, the 4th of > April. > > > > I attach you a submission form, which you should fill out, sign it > and send > > it for a successful submission. You can scan and e-mail me or fax me > > (0043-732-7272-674) your submission form. Thanks a lot! > > > > If you have any questions or you need further support to finalize > your > > project, please come back to me anytime! > > > > I am looking forward to your submission! > > > > > > With the very best wishes, > > Romana Leopoldseder > > > > > > > > Romana Leopoldseder > > Prix ars Electronica 2008/Digital Communities > > --- > > Ars Electronica Linz GmbH > > Hauptstraße 2-4 > > 4040 Linz, Austria, > > Telefon: 0043-732-7272-79 > > Fax: 0043-732-7272-674 > > E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > http://prixars.aec.at > > > > > > > > -- > > ta
[Coworking] Re: Looking to start up a co-working space in Connecticut.
Beautiful space, I bet it echo's a bit and could do with some soft furnishing such as other bodies to dampen the sound! I would look for local events / meetups on Upcoming too. Go where freelancers go... there are probably different groups around who have a high freelancer contingent, we have a large number of graphic designers, web developers, photographers and startups so it may be worth looking around in Cafe's etc for flyers related to meetups for those communities, I am sure they exist it may just need a little legwork to flush them out. James McCarthy http://thewerks.org.uk On 16 Oct 2008, at 17:13, Brikolodge Coworking Miami wrote: > > Hey Peter, > > I would recomend stating a Jelly group in your area. Google the word > jelly and you will find out what of is. This would be a great way to > start. > > Also you might want to checkout Meetup.com to see what other groups > are in your area that could benefit from Jelly or > Coworking in general. > > I hope this helps. Let the group know if you have any other questions. > > On 10/15/08, Peter van Geldern <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> Getting started, >> I am a work at home architect and have a great space that is to big >> for me. >> What are the best ways to find local interest and start the ball >> rolling on >> creating a co-working space. >> I am in Monroe ct which is a suburban location but off a large road. >> >> Any ideas, >> Peter >> >> -- >> Peter van Geldern >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> 203 268 4306 >> >>> >> > > > --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
