FAQ

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: How do the three lamps over the main table switch off, I can't find any switch for them!

A: At some point, during a change, they were disconnected from the remote switch as a temporary measure. And temporary measures have a nasty tendency to be very... untemporary, sometimes. Don't worry, they're LED bulbs so it is only 5 watts per bulb. If you really prefer them off, unscrew them half a turn, that works. (They aren't getting hot enough to burn you, so that is safe to do)

3)
Q: How does the sound system work?

A: You need to switch on two devices, and then use an MPD client to connect to the MPD music server. Switch on the mixing desk at the back (square push button on the right lower back), and switch on the hidden power amplifier by switching on channel #1 with the little white remote next to the entrance door. MPD server is at 10.0.20.3

4)
Q: What is the space fan / space suction, what are those big white hoses for that hang from the ceiling / how do I suck away my solder vapours / body odours / kitchen smells ?

A: There is a big industrial fan above the ceiling, with ducts to several air inlet points. Three of them are in the dirty room, one is over the 3D printer, two are over the soldering tables. This system is turned on by pulling the big yellow knob you find at your left, hanging from the ceiling when you enter the dirty room. You turn it off by pushing it in again. It is important to turn it on when you expect more than a handful of people because this is our only air freshening system. And obviously, when you need suction because you will be soldering, sawing, spraying, sanding, using solvents/glue, or are using a laser cutter. It is equally important to TURN IT OFF when you leave and close the space, for reasons of power consumption, and malfunction risks leading to possible overheating, or even fire.

5)
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!

6)
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 5) 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.

7)
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.

8)
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..

9)
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 !)

10)
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.

11)
Q: There is this device that looks like a phone and sounds like a phone, under the mixing desk. 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. You might want to refer those people to our website or wiki or email.

12)
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.