Difference between revisions of "FAQ"
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− | Q: How do the | + | |
− | :A: | + | 1)<br> |
+ | Q: Why am I getting referred to this FAQ page anyway ? | ||
+ | |||
+ | :A: Most likely, because you just asked a question that was asked too often, or maybe was very recently discussed/answered on our mailing list which you may deem too time-consuming to read, or something similar. ;-) | ||
+ | :In fact, the common reason for having an FAQ is to avoid spending valueable time answering the same 17 questions twice, every darn week. Don't be offended, nobody expects you to magically know all this stuff. But everybody can read the FAQ! So please do. Or if not, you may find yourself being referred to the FAQ more than just once... ;-) | ||
+ | |||
+ | 2)<br> | ||
+ | Q: Why do we have '''two''' huge crowbars in the space? | ||
+ | |||
+ | :A: Once we had just one single crowbar. But then two very young members joined, who like to fight each other. So, predictably, at some point during such a struggle, one of them gets possession of the crowbar, leaving the other one at an obvious serious disadvantage. Apparently to even out this weapon inequality, one of them has bought a second crowbar so their chances of killing or maiming each other with a crowbar are equal and fair again. How sweet! <3 | ||
+ | :All the remaining members frown upon and/or shrug when seeing these two fight, but what can you do... sigh/shrug. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 3)<br> | ||
+ | Q: I want to use a few capacitors/screws/bolts/transistors/wires/connectors/relays/headers/bearings for my project. Do I pay for that? How much? How or to whom? | ||
+ | |||
+ | :A: Easy question, hard to answer. The most heard answer is "use common sense". Though we've found the interpretation of common sense varies very wildly from one individual to the next. But I guess it means: please replenish if stock is getting low (or at least notify "us"), also taking into account the value of the item(s), and the added value (or absence thereof) you provide by using it for a space project. Donations are always welcome of course! | ||
+ | |||
+ | 4)<br> | ||
+ | Q: I want to take this hard disk/circuit board/30 watt laser/electronics kit/soldering iron/stepper motor/gaffa tape/guitar/cable roll/nintendo console/toaster home, because I can well use it. May I ? What are the rules surrounding that ? What if I don't take it home, but use it in a space project (which I eventually might take home) instead ? | ||
+ | |||
+ | :A: Although the answer at 6) also applies up to a point, for stuff with a higher value than trivial, the question becomes harder and harder to answer. In the absence of a sticker describing its use constraints, the best is to ask on the mailing list, or ask a few members whom you reckon would know such things. But the common sense approach has also merits here. Try it! And there is also our rule #3. But even then, common sense probably trumps even rule #3. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 5) <br> | ||
+ | Q: But who are those "members whom you reckon would know such things" ? | ||
+ | |||
+ | :A: Seriously? Well, nobody, officially. We are all just members, so no one has any power to decide things on his/her own. That said, many senior members have been around long enough to remember how stuff got donated, by whom, what their wishes or intentions were, what has been decided or discussed historically, etc. But yeah... hard to say. | ||
+ | :No names of these members shall be revealed, as they are already overloaded with countless questions as it is... | ||
+ | |||
+ | 6)<br> | ||
+ | Q: Wow! This Welder / Laser cutter / Sewing machine / Lathe / Reflow station / Plotter / 3D printer / Sonic screwdriver / Band saw / CNC router / Quadcopter is '''NEAT'''! I want to use it. Can I ? What are the rules governing that, if any ? | ||
+ | |||
+ | :A: We have a set of rules for power tools. These can only be used when either proper training was given by a member, or you have been deemed "capable" of responsible, correct and safe use. The other mentioned devices are very often loaned to the space by one of its members, or created in the space by a member. As a general rule, you ''probably'' should '''not''' use such devices before contacting the owner/contact person for that item. The items ought to be labeled, but aren't always. There is an inventory list on this wiki, it may list it, along with the use conditions. Please check. If all else fails, ask another member, chances are he will know who the right person to ask is. | ||
+ | :Then, there's also still rule #3. But, the more delicate / expensive / complicated / dangerous a piece of equipment is, the slimmer is the chance you would get away with claiming rule #3 applied.. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 7)<br> | ||
+ | Q: Cooking in the space! Nice, cheap, social. Yes/no? | ||
+ | |||
+ | :A: Yesss... maybe, with some caveats. The kitchen is not equipped to cook, is often not clean enough to cook, and often is left in a bigger mess by people that ''did'' cook, making it all worse. We have also had some bad mishaps with people leaving good food in the space, as a gift for all.. Problem is, this food then goes unnoticed, gets forgotten, spoils, attracts flies or worse creatures, and stinks like you couldn't believe. All these are risks making cooking an activity that ''can'' have a huge negative impact on the space. So if you cook, keep the above in mind, clean up, leave no traces, and all will be well. Probably.. (Oh but, we do hold very successful BBQs when the weather is nice !) | ||
+ | |||
+ | 8)<br> | ||
+ | Q: Help, there is no... <s>Gaffa</s>Duct tape / Coffee / Toner / Filament / Beer / Drill bit 5mm / 74HC244 / Club Mate / Trash bin liner / Wood router / Window that opens / Comfy chair / Hot running water / 3 phase 400V outlet / Free battery for my project / Pizza / Soap / Perfect Linux distro / Sulphuric acid. Why/How...?? | ||
+ | |||
+ | :A: Multiple answers. For food and kitchen consumables, we have a donation jar system. We are all collectively 'responsible' for getting beer etc. It is therefore HIGHLY appreciated if you bring something sometimes, be it beer, paper towels, etc etc., subject to stock and demand. For other things, there is the pledge system; if you need something, you can create a pledge, get others to contribute, and once the money is pledged, it can be purchased. Historically, the pledge system has shown great successes, but also sometimes simply fails. When it fails, the advocates of the pledge system say "there simply wasn't enough need to purchase it", and the critics of the pledge system point out that it fails not because there is no real need for it, but because people are lazy or greedy or without funds, and too often simply believe someone else will pick up the tab. Which of these two competing views is correct is not determined as yet. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 9)<br> | ||
+ | Q: There is this device that looks like a phone and sounds like a phone, on a table. Should I pick it up? | ||
+ | |||
+ | :A: Yep, it's a phone all right; we have no door bell, so we use that as our means to answer people at our door. There is one caveat though: people that are '''not''' visiting us might call our number as a way to try to get in. '''Don't''' let anybody in if they aren't visiting us. Our landlord has set very clear and strict guidelines about that as the result of two unfortunate incidents. Also, sometimes people just call this for inquiry. But um, we're not a help desk.. hahaha. Maybe refer those people to our website or wiki or mailing lists. | ||
+ | |||
+ | 10)<br> | ||
+ | Q: What's the password? | ||
+ | |||
+ | :A: Yep, very funny, nice try. No, this cannot go onto the wiki. But when you visit us, casually ask someone for it, and we might inform you. Or we might tell you something that probably really doesn't help you at all. |
Latest revision as of 00:06, 15 May 2015
1)
Q: Why am I getting referred to this FAQ page anyway ?
- A: Most likely, because you just asked a question that was asked too often, or maybe was very recently discussed/answered on our mailing list which you may deem too time-consuming to read, or something similar. ;-)
- In fact, the common reason for having an FAQ is to avoid spending valueable time answering the same 17 questions twice, every darn week. Don't be offended, nobody expects you to magically know all this stuff. But everybody can read the FAQ! So please do. Or if not, you may find yourself being referred to the FAQ more than just once... ;-)
2)
Q: Why do we have two huge crowbars in the space?
- A: Once we had just one single crowbar. But then two very young members joined, who like to fight each other. So, predictably, at some point during such a struggle, one of them gets possession of the crowbar, leaving the other one at an obvious serious disadvantage. Apparently to even out this weapon inequality, one of them has bought a second crowbar so their chances of killing or maiming each other with a crowbar are equal and fair again. How sweet! <3
- All the remaining members frown upon and/or shrug when seeing these two fight, but what can you do... sigh/shrug.
3)
Q: I want to use a few capacitors/screws/bolts/transistors/wires/connectors/relays/headers/bearings for my project. Do I pay for that? How much? How or to whom?
- A: Easy question, hard to answer. The most heard answer is "use common sense". Though we've found the interpretation of common sense varies very wildly from one individual to the next. But I guess it means: please replenish if stock is getting low (or at least notify "us"), also taking into account the value of the item(s), and the added value (or absence thereof) you provide by using it for a space project. Donations are always welcome of course!
4)
Q: I want to take this hard disk/circuit board/30 watt laser/electronics kit/soldering iron/stepper motor/gaffa tape/guitar/cable roll/nintendo console/toaster home, because I can well use it. May I ? What are the rules surrounding that ? What if I don't take it home, but use it in a space project (which I eventually might take home) instead ?
- A: Although the answer at 6) also applies up to a point, for stuff with a higher value than trivial, the question becomes harder and harder to answer. In the absence of a sticker describing its use constraints, the best is to ask on the mailing list, or ask a few members whom you reckon would know such things. But the common sense approach has also merits here. Try it! And there is also our rule #3. But even then, common sense probably trumps even rule #3.
5)
Q: But who are those "members whom you reckon would know such things" ?
- A: Seriously? Well, nobody, officially. We are all just members, so no one has any power to decide things on his/her own. That said, many senior members have been around long enough to remember how stuff got donated, by whom, what their wishes or intentions were, what has been decided or discussed historically, etc. But yeah... hard to say.
- No names of these members shall be revealed, as they are already overloaded with countless questions as it is...
6)
Q: Wow! This Welder / Laser cutter / Sewing machine / Lathe / Reflow station / Plotter / 3D printer / Sonic screwdriver / Band saw / CNC router / Quadcopter is NEAT! I want to use it. Can I ? What are the rules governing that, if any ?
- A: We have a set of rules for power tools. These can only be used when either proper training was given by a member, or you have been deemed "capable" of responsible, correct and safe use. The other mentioned devices are very often loaned to the space by one of its members, or created in the space by a member. As a general rule, you probably should not use such devices before contacting the owner/contact person for that item. The items ought to be labeled, but aren't always. There is an inventory list on this wiki, it may list it, along with the use conditions. Please check. If all else fails, ask another member, chances are he will know who the right person to ask is.
- Then, there's also still rule #3. But, the more delicate / expensive / complicated / dangerous a piece of equipment is, the slimmer is the chance you would get away with claiming rule #3 applied..
7)
Q: Cooking in the space! Nice, cheap, social. Yes/no?
- A: Yesss... maybe, with some caveats. The kitchen is not equipped to cook, is often not clean enough to cook, and often is left in a bigger mess by people that did cook, making it all worse. We have also had some bad mishaps with people leaving good food in the space, as a gift for all.. Problem is, this food then goes unnoticed, gets forgotten, spoils, attracts flies or worse creatures, and stinks like you couldn't believe. All these are risks making cooking an activity that can have a huge negative impact on the space. So if you cook, keep the above in mind, clean up, leave no traces, and all will be well. Probably.. (Oh but, we do hold very successful BBQs when the weather is nice !)
8)
Q: Help, there is no... GaffaDuct tape / Coffee / Toner / Filament / Beer / Drill bit 5mm / 74HC244 / Club Mate / Trash bin liner / Wood router / Window that opens / Comfy chair / Hot running water / 3 phase 400V outlet / Free battery for my project / Pizza / Soap / Perfect Linux distro / Sulphuric acid. Why/How...??
- A: Multiple answers. For food and kitchen consumables, we have a donation jar system. We are all collectively 'responsible' for getting beer etc. It is therefore HIGHLY appreciated if you bring something sometimes, be it beer, paper towels, etc etc., subject to stock and demand. For other things, there is the pledge system; if you need something, you can create a pledge, get others to contribute, and once the money is pledged, it can be purchased. Historically, the pledge system has shown great successes, but also sometimes simply fails. When it fails, the advocates of the pledge system say "there simply wasn't enough need to purchase it", and the critics of the pledge system point out that it fails not because there is no real need for it, but because people are lazy or greedy or without funds, and too often simply believe someone else will pick up the tab. Which of these two competing views is correct is not determined as yet.
9)
Q: There is this device that looks like a phone and sounds like a phone, on a table. Should I pick it up?
- A: Yep, it's a phone all right; we have no door bell, so we use that as our means to answer people at our door. There is one caveat though: people that are not visiting us might call our number as a way to try to get in. Don't let anybody in if they aren't visiting us. Our landlord has set very clear and strict guidelines about that as the result of two unfortunate incidents. Also, sometimes people just call this for inquiry. But um, we're not a help desk.. hahaha. Maybe refer those people to our website or wiki or mailing lists.
10)
Q: What's the password?
- A: Yep, very funny, nice try. No, this cannot go onto the wiki. But when you visit us, casually ask someone for it, and we might inform you. Or we might tell you something that probably really doesn't help you at all.