Event:2018/05/11 Inaugural Media Lab Meeting

Inaugural Basement Media Lab WG Meeting - 11 May 2018, 7-9pm

= attendees / rsvp =
 * jenny, Laura, Sierk, Anka, Robb, Phil

= intros / availability / brief why you're here =
 * Jenny - generally interested in setting up media lad. Want to install button maker & have printer available other than omnioffice for more ppl to use.
 * Robb - like media. hack hack. useful so long as we have capacity to maintain. gone in june
 * anka: agree, would like to see a media lab, concerns about everything breaking down within the first month. available ~1 day/wk
 * phil: concerns about access (cites problems with public terminals and non-members squatting/sleeping up there)
 * sierk: marc suggested we close the terminals area at 10 -> robb suggests swipe card
 * sierk: makes sense to centralize these various resources. good if it had some stewards. often available
 * laura: agree with aforementioned concerns. good to consolidate these commonly-used resources, for finability and social aspects. like to offer to neighbors and aligned orgs on a sliding scale bases. gone all of june and a bit in july. 1 day/wk signup system for people to come and use it
 * by appointment may be ideal

= access brainstorm =
 * many of the machines can be locked with a password
 * metal cabinet for supplies that should be lockable
 * sierk: could build a mesh cage similar to sudomesh's for expendables and fancy equipment
 * easier since it's not a fire exit
 * Access for classes that different people hae said they want to give
 * Signage posted with access policy
 * could have an evening a week of open hours & training (monthly?) for access
 * ken: could also put stantion posts up (like they have at theaters)
 * sierk: agree, make it clear it's not accessible to non-members. or community members without appointments
 * ken: that could be the first banner!
 * anka: think a very clear barrier would be better - physical barrier
 * robb: could put a metal plate over the USB ports and make them network-accessible only with a code
 * sierk: just locking the machines down may be enough, or may turn out we need to physically block off the space
 * ken: copyworld - charging by the amount of time you're on the machine, given an access card. still able to plug in your flash drive.
 * prefer everything modular and on wheels - could have wheeled cubicle walls which would also dampen sound. could wire them into place for security. wouldn't need building permits
 * opennac (network access control) http://www.opennac.org/opennac/en.html

= discussion of offset printer =
 * so many have said they were interested and/or could fix it
 * laura: think we should take it apart and scrap it, give TIL their last chance to fix or move it and if they don't/can't, we should take it apart.
 * robb: agreed
 * robb: may want to contact berkeley free press, may want it
 * lot of setup. not easy to use. but once you have it working it's awesome

= abdc stuff =
 * first step is they need to move their storage out of there so we can do necessary upgrades of the space
 * set a deadline?
 * May 19th, next meeting

= visions / dreams =
 * Jenny: https://omnicommons.org/wiki/Basement#Media_Lab
 * Old grant proposal: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WdH0lsyTSjb0ktSOAOqqp3KkRSuGjMOO0k3xAacobP4/edit#
 * Fix/improve lighting
 * robb: replace existing broken lighting with led flourescent shaped
 * jenny: have some large paper lantern globes
 * Paint walls (& ceiling, laura suggests painting as sky)
 * Floor: Linoleum vs paint vs concrete polishing
 * anka: not super fun process, namely preparing the floor
 * robb: OWH has a floor buffer
 * we have several industrial fans around the building
 * Robb: Commons: People who have events here often need flyers etc... could give stipends to individuals who fill an order etc
 * Ken: or maybe students in a class could take on small projects..
 * anka: printing services are expensive, there's always a need
 * sierk: lots of orgs that have newsletter printing needs... and if people want longterm access, they should also help with space cleanliness and maintenance
 * ken: could have internships and provide professional experience development
 * anka: also useful to have a computer with photoshop/indesign etc
 * sierk: worried having computers would take up too much space - we should just use the terminals down here for classes, development etc. ask gcea
 * sierk: for classes, rollable tables that flip up and can be easily stored out of the way

= discussion etc =
 * phil: may be conflicts w/ music room? (middle basement room)
 * already next to liblens, not scheduled on calendar. could post a sign on music door to ask any neighbors about sound conflicts

= resources =

existing

 * A large-format plotter
 * A vinyl cutter
 * A Tecre button-maker and supplies (owned by Jenny & Abe)
 * Screenprinting equipment and press (owned by ABDC)
 * Digital duplicator (owned by Sudo Room)
 * Several Xerox copiers
 * Various printers
 * Offset press (broken/parts missing, owned by Timeless Infinite Light)
 * Vending machine - move from CCL
 * Various easels / paints / etc

offers

 * ken: have a bunch of stuff i could contribute - lots of illustration materials, brushes etc and also classes
 * anka: students moving out this weekend [hippie christmas!] so can find any small furniture we might need
 * have a bunch of banner material my housemates are trying to evict from the house
 * marc developed a rad auto address-label maker that would be useful to incorporate (with a brother printer)
 * ken: ccl may be getting a donation of a bunch of 3D printers they may be interested in
 * used to teach AutoCAD for professional development
 * robb: and can film the class! omni media lab how tos

requests/needs

 * usb to serial adapter for vinyl cutter
 * Rolling tables that fold flat to stack against wall
 * way of storing archival posters/prints/flyers and arts - eg donated drafting table with many thin drawers

= governance / decision-making / access structure =
 * Working Group format? https://omnicommons.org/wiki/Working_Groups
 * sierk: sliding scale donations, by appointment
 * ken: work out the bugs among the collectives initially, then reach out to groups/orgs
 * anka: don't know if we even should make offer to outside grousp
 * sierk: abdc was going to have some stewards who would do training
 * ken: train core working group to train others
 * robb: are there going to be requirements t join?
 * jenny: if a working group, then open to anyone to join - requirements for use of media lab may be eg training, cleaning, maintenance, comms, holding open hours etc
 * steps are first to clean up the space, create a governance/access model and submit a proposal to omni,
 * sierk: liblens' new membership policy a good model to look at re: training / access /

= action items / next steps =
 * Check how much of equipment is lockable, password accessible
 * Draft proposal for Omni: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ebaHkaSeCWHKKEjbg6u-VvDzifF-eFuBX_b_HmdDv0E/edit
 * To create the media lab
 * Make this group officially a working group to build and steward the space
 * Second proposal later once is built re how collectives, members, and eventually outside folks will access
 * Build out budget
 * create signs re: access policy and post them in commonly-used areas
 * contact berkeley free press re: offset printer - robb
 * contact TIL re: press - jenny

= NEXT MEETING = Next Saturday, May 19th from 5-7pm