Hackerspace Mania!

 Yesterday morning, I had never set foot in a hackerspace before.  However, as of this evening, I have been in two!  Last night, I had the pleasure of meeting some nice folks over at SplatSpace.  The best way to describe the zone is something akin to the basement of the Ghostbusters HQ.

My phone doesn't take the greatest pictures (and it's pathetic in low light), so I don't have any shots to share. The space has more junk per square foot than my room growing up (I had a lot of junk).   There are discarded computers (lots), in progress projects and all sorts of audio gear.

Now on the opposite end of the organization and scale spectrum is TechShopRDU.  It's a much larger, much more equipped space.  This place has an insane plethora of tools, including metal working (mills, presses, brakes, benders, grinders, etc), woodworking, plastic working, plasma cutters, welding equipment, and much more.  The place currently occupies two buildings and appears to be as busy as a bee hive.

There is an energy to the TechShop.  The laser cutter / engraver is so popular that you have to reserve it ahead of time.  Classes are constantly being taught and people are coming in and out.  It's a very groovy space.

My Next Steps
I've been seriously inspired to up my making game.  Next week I'll be coming to town with more of my gear. My Arduino and Netduino will be in tow.  I'm excited to have access to some more powerful tools.   Now I'm off to devise an efficient way to transport all of my project paraphernalia.

Your Next Steps
If you have the urge to make something and hang with other people making things, scope out hackerspaces.org and join a hackerspace near you!