Press release
(→Edited English Version: Hackers on a House Hunt) |
(→Edited English Version: Hackers on a House Hunt) |
||
| Line 54: | Line 54: | ||
===Edited English Version: Hackers on a House Hunt=== | ===Edited English Version: Hackers on a House Hunt=== | ||
| − | Just six weeks ago building a hackerspace in Luxembourg was but an idea lurking in the minds of a few technology enthusiasts. Since then, the dream of establishing their own venue has been striding towards realisation in giant leaps. Fuelled by caffeinated beverages and driven by sincere fervour, a handful of people have been contributing every iota of free time towards “SYN2cat”, as the project has been aptly named. The founders of the undertaking, David Raison, a student at the University of Innsbruck and Steve Clement, an IT entrepreneur situated in Bertrange, want to establish a | + | Just six weeks ago building a hackerspace in Luxembourg was but an idea lurking in the minds of a few technology enthusiasts. Since then, the dream of establishing their own venue has been striding towards realisation in giant leaps. Fuelled by caffeinated beverages and driven by sincere fervour, a handful of people have been contributing every iota of free time towards “SYN2cat”, as the project has been aptly named. The founders of the undertaking, David Raison, a student at the University of Innsbruck and Steve Clement, an IT entrepreneur situated in Bertrange, want to establish a place where creative minds from many different disciplines can meet and interact to playfully innovate both technologically and culturally. |
A passionate triathlete, Clement is quick to point out how the term 'hacker' has been misrepresented in popular media for a long time: “'Hacking' has nothing to do with criminal activities such as identity theft and electronic trespassing! Rather, it ['hacker'] has been coined at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as a term for curious individuals for whom every device or piece of software is full of exciting challenges to develop potential improvements or discover alternative uses." Raison, who reads political sciences at university, adds jokingly: “Anyone who remembers the childhood curiosity and excitement of taking apart radios and other devices to find out how they work should get in touch with utmost urgency!” | A passionate triathlete, Clement is quick to point out how the term 'hacker' has been misrepresented in popular media for a long time: “'Hacking' has nothing to do with criminal activities such as identity theft and electronic trespassing! Rather, it ['hacker'] has been coined at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as a term for curious individuals for whom every device or piece of software is full of exciting challenges to develop potential improvements or discover alternative uses." Raison, who reads political sciences at university, adds jokingly: “Anyone who remembers the childhood curiosity and excitement of taking apart radios and other devices to find out how they work should get in touch with utmost urgency!” | ||
Revision as of 12:36, 29 September 2008
Contents |
Content
We'll try to include a group-photo, to be made on monday, September 22nd. Other than this, we'll try to resume the info-folder content and make it sound like an article. The press-release will be in German (and maybe in French), as most papers publish in either French or German (some reader's comments are published in Luxembourgish)
We'll also need a short summary in definitely both languages.
Texts
Technik-begeisterte auf der Suche nach einem Zuhause (99% complete, 497 words)
Seit etwa anderthalb Monaten widmen einige Technik-Fans jede freie Minute einem ehrgeizigen Projekt: "SYN2cat"
Vor noch nicht einmal 6 Wochen existierte das so getaufte Hackerspace nur in den Köpfen einiger weniger Personen, doch seitdem rückt man dem Traum eines eigenen Veranstaltungsraumes stetig näher.
Die beiden, sich selbstbewußt als "Hacker" bezeichnenden Initiatoren des Projekts, David Raison (Student an der Universität Innsbruck) und Steve Clement (IT-Unternehmer in Bartringen) möchten den Treffpunkt zu einem Ort machen, an dem sich kreative Köpfe aus den unterschiedlichsten Bereichen zusammen finden um spielerisch Innovationen im technisch-kulturellen Bereich voranzutreiben.
Besonderen Wert legen die beiden darauf, die Vorurteile, die auf den "Hackern" lasten, zu entkräftigen: "'Hacken' hat hier nichts mit kriminellen Aktivitäten wie dem Einbrechen in fremde Rechner zu tun", erklärt der leidenschaftliche Triathlet Clement. Den am US-amerikanischen Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) geprägten Begriff des Hackers verwende man vielmehr für Personen, die sich bei jedem Gerät, bei jeder Software fragen, was man denn damit noch alles anstellen kann und wie man es verbessern könnte. "Wer als Kind schon Radio- oder sonstige Geräte auseinander geschraubt hat um zu sehen wie sie funktionieren, ist mit Sicherheit ein Hacker und sollte sich dringend mit uns in Verbindung setzen!", fügt der ansonsten Politikwissenschaft studierende Raison scherzhaft hinzu.
Das Hackerspace soll u.a. Künstler, Informatiker und Forscher zusammen bringen, die an gemeinsamen Projekten arbeiten, Workshops organisieren, Vorträge halten, selbige besuchen oder einfach nur Spaß haben. Im Hackerspace soll man vor allem soziale Kontakte pflegen und sich untereinander austauschen können. "Wir denken, dass das Hackerspace ein technisch-kulturelles Umfeld bieten können wird, das es so in der Großregion bisher noch nicht gibt!", vermutet Raison.
Etwas mehr als 20 Personen stützen derzeit die Anstrengungen des Teams, viele davon entstammen dem bereits einige Wochen zuvor gegründeten, luxemburgischen Ableger des in Deutschland sehr populären Chaos Computer Clubs (CCC), dem Chaos Computer Club Luxemburg (C3L). "Wir waren positiv überrascht, dass es hierzulande bereits eine solche Gruppe gegeben hat und haben uns auf Anhieb glänzend ergänzt.", so David Raison. Man schloss sich dem C3L an, welcher später die Verwaltung des Hackerspaces auf Vereinsbasis übernehmen wird.
Im Ausland gibt es nach Auskunft der selbsternannten "Geeks" bereits mehrere solcher Hackerspaces an denen man sich orientiert. Vor allem das "Metalab" in Wien, welches Raison im vergangenen April besucht hat, und die "C-Base" in Berlin sind länderübergreifend bekannt. Derzeit entstehen auch in anderen Metropolen neue Hackerspaces, so z.B. ein Leipzig, Paris oder München.
Um sich Interessierten und Neugierigen vorzustellen, hat man gemeinsam ein Informations-Heftchen produziert, das man breits an einige Personen verschickt hat, aber auch gerne weiteren Personen auf Anfrage zuschickt. Derweil suchen die Hacker noch nach dem passenden "Space" und würden sich über jegliche Hilfestellung freuen. "So 100-200 m² sollte der Raum schon haben, Sanitäranlagen wären natürlich auch sehr wichtig, und eine Küche, in der man gemeinsam Kochen könnte, wäre wirklich super!", gibt Clement zur Auskunft. Zentral sollten die Räume liegen und eine möglichst gute Anbindung an die öffentlichen Verkehrsmittel sollte auch bestehen. www.hackerspace.lu
Hackers on the House Hunt
For about a month and a half a handful of Cyber-Enthusiasts spent a remarkable amount of time towards a common project: "SYN2cat"
6 weeks ago it was only in the initiators minds, building a Hackerspace. But since then the dream became more of a reality with the first Brochures, Flyers and Posters leaving the press as we type.
The initiators like to call themselves "Hackers", David Raison (Student at the University in Innsbruck) and Steve Clement (IT-Entrepreneur in Bertrange) want to bridge the gap between the Virtual and Physical world by creating a Space where creative minds from all kinds of backgrounds can come together and work together on various projects.
The word is out, Hackers, and with that an explanation is needed. Commonly misunderstood, a Hacker is generally NOT a mischief explains the passionate Triathlete Clement. To clarify the meaning we have to go back to the US, specifically the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where they coined the word for people that wonder how things work and whether the coffe machine can be used as a Musical instrument (yes it can) and eventually how to improve certain weaknesses in either software designs or any other topics by tackling the problems and not letting go until a solution and evidently innovation is achieved. "Should you be such a person that wonders how stuff works and always wanted to get involved with creative minds is definetly a Hacker and we urge her to pay us a visit!", adds the usually Politics studying Raison.
The Hackerspace should amongst others unite Artists, IT-Guys and Scientists, who then can Create and innovate on new and exciting Projects, Organize Workshops, hold Talks, attend the Talks of others or Just have fun in the Chill out area. In the Hackerspace the Social contact should be primordial and share common knowledge. "We know, that a Hackerspace can provide a cultural and technical surrounding unseen so far in the greater region in and around Luxembourg", states Raison.
A little over 20 people are already actively supporting the movement, many of them spawned from the newly founded Luxembourgian version of the Chaos Computer Club (CCC) a famous German based IT-Security movement, the Chaos Computer Club Luxembourg (C3L). "We were astonished and happy that already a group of IT enthusiasts found together and we instantly molded our thoughts and efforts together.", completes David Raison. We joined the C3L, who later will take over the Management of the Hackerspace on an administrative level.
Across the borders there are already quite a few successful Hackerspaces with exactly the same motives. The front runner being the "Metalab" in Vienna, which Raison visited in April, and the "C-Base" in Berlin are global references among movement. As we speak other Metropoles are acquiring Hackerspaces too, like in Leipzig, Paris or Munich.
For common understanding the current team has created a Brochure that accurately explains what they are about. We posted the first copies to a few key people but anyone interested can request his copy over the Cyberspace. Currently in other News the Hackers look the the adequate ?physical? "Space" and embrace any help they can get. "Around 100-200 m², Sanitary installments would be handy, and a Kitchenette, in which joint cooking sessions could take place, would be top of the pops", informs Clement. Centrally located and well connected to public transport are indispensable. www.hackerspace.lu
Edited English Version: Hackers on a House Hunt
Just six weeks ago building a hackerspace in Luxembourg was but an idea lurking in the minds of a few technology enthusiasts. Since then, the dream of establishing their own venue has been striding towards realisation in giant leaps. Fuelled by caffeinated beverages and driven by sincere fervour, a handful of people have been contributing every iota of free time towards “SYN2cat”, as the project has been aptly named. The founders of the undertaking, David Raison, a student at the University of Innsbruck and Steve Clement, an IT entrepreneur situated in Bertrange, want to establish a place where creative minds from many different disciplines can meet and interact to playfully innovate both technologically and culturally.
A passionate triathlete, Clement is quick to point out how the term 'hacker' has been misrepresented in popular media for a long time: “'Hacking' has nothing to do with criminal activities such as identity theft and electronic trespassing! Rather, it ['hacker'] has been coined at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as a term for curious individuals for whom every device or piece of software is full of exciting challenges to develop potential improvements or discover alternative uses." Raison, who reads political sciences at university, adds jokingly: “Anyone who remembers the childhood curiosity and excitement of taking apart radios and other devices to find out how they work should get in touch with utmost urgency!”
The hackerspace is envisioned to bring together artists, IT professionals, scientists and others to collaborate on projects, organise workshops, give and attend talks or to simply have fun. It should be a social platform for people to interact and exchange ideas. “We believe that the hackerspace can fill a cultural void by providing an environment that has no analogue in the Greater Region.”, Raison reflects.
The team working on the endeavour currently counts about 20 people, many of whom are members of the Chaos Computer Club Luxembourg (C3L), the recently founded, Luxembourgian section of the highly popular Chaos Computer Club (CCC) that originated in Germany. “We were very surprised to find such an organisation in this country - and we've been cooperating splendidly ever since!”, the founders say. As a result, the hackerspace will be integrated into the organisational structure of C3L once it is established.
The group acknowledges taking inspiration from successful hackerspaces abroad, the most popular of which are the 'C-Base' in Berlin and the 'Metalab' in Vienna, which Raison has visited in April. The number of spaces is growing constantly and new ones are about to be created in other major cities such as Leipzig, Paris or Munich.
As a way of introducing themselves to potential sponsors and contributors, they have created an information booklet which has been sent out to various people in politics and industry. It is available to anyone electronically on the project website or in print form upon request.
The hackers are still on the lookout for a 'space' and would greatly welcome any form of support: “The property should have a surface area of 100 to 200 square meters and must have sanitary facilities. A kitchen to cook and eat in company would be great as well! It should also be located centrally and [be] accessible by public transport”, Clement clarifies.
www.hackerspace.lu
Cyber Artistes à la recherche d'un toit
Depuis environ un mois et demi une poignée de cyber-amateurs se consacrent à un projet comun: "SYN2cat". Il y a moins de 6 semaines, un hackerspace existait seulement dans la tête des initiateurs, mais depuis, le rêve est devenu plus réel, avec les premières brochures, flyers et affiches qui sortent d'imprimerie.
Les initiateurs, qui se nomment délibérément "Hackers", David Raison (Étudiant à l'Université d'Innsbruck) et Steve Clement (IT-Entrepreneur à Bertrange) veulent relier le monde virtuel au monde physique par la création d'un espace où les esprits créatifs de toutes formations peuvent se réunir et travailler ensemble sur divers projets.
Le mot est sorti, "Hackers" et donc une explication s'avère nécessaire. Communément mal interprété, un hacker n'est généralement pas un malfaiteur, explique le triathlète passionné Clement. Pour expliquer le sens nous devons retourner aux États-Unis, plus particulièrement au Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), où ils ont inventé le mot pour les gens qui se demandent comment les choses fonctionnent, ce qu'on pourrait améliorer ou modifier. Ils affrontent logiciels aussi bien que équipement technique et tout autre sujet, sans lâcher prise jusqu'à ce qu'une solution et manifestement une innovation est atteinte. «Si vous avez démonté dans votre jeunesse radios ou autres appareils pour apprendre comment ils fonctionnent, vous êtes de toute évidence Hacker. Contactez-nous d'urgence!», ajoute avec un sourire Raison, qui actuellement étudie les sciences politiques.
Le Hackerspace devrait unir entre autres artistes, techniciens IT et scientifiques, qui alors pourront créer et innover de nouveaux et passionnants projets, organiser des ateliers, organiser et participer à des conférences, ou tout simplement avoir du plaisir dans cet espace. Dans le Hackerspace le contact social devrait être primordial, ainsi que le partage des connaissances communes. «Nous savons, qu'un Hackerspace peut fournir un environnement culturel et technique, inexistant jusqu'ici à Luxembourg et sa grande région», croie Raison.
Un peu plus de 20 personnes soutiennent à cet instant activement le mouvement, beaucoup d'entre eux engendrés par la version luxembourgeoise récemment créée du Chaos Computer Club (CCC), un mouvement célèbre d'IT-sécurité basé en Allemagne, le Chaos Computer Club Luxembourg (C3L). «Nous avons été surpris et heureux de voir qu'un groupe de passionnés IT s'est déjà formé et nous avons instantanément allié nos pensées et nos efforts.», complète David Raison. «Nous nous sommes associés à la C3L, qui plus tard reprendra la gestion de l'espace.»
Au delà des frontières, il existe aujourd'hui un certain nombre de Hackerspaces, qui avec succès poursuivent exactement les mêmes motifs que nos «mordus» Luxembourgeois. Les leaders étant le "Metalab" à Vienne, Raison l'a visité en avril, et la "C-Base" à Berlin, qui tous les deux sont des références mondiales parmi le mouvement. Alors que nous parlons, d'autres métropoles sont en train d'acquérir des Hackerspaces, comme Leipzig, Munich ou Paris.
Pour une compréhension générale l'équipe actuelle a édité une brochure qui explique exactement ce qu'ils veulent. Nous avons envoyé les premiers exemplaires à des personnes de références, mais toute personne intéressée peut demander un exemplaire par le Cyberspace. Actuellement dans la rubrique "Other News" les hackers cherchent un espace approprié et se réjouissent sur toute aide qu'ils peuvent obtenir. «Autour de 100 à 200 m², des sanitaires seraient souhaitables, et un coin cuisine dans laquelle des repas communs pourraient avoir lieu, serait le top», informe Clement. Un emplacement central, bien relié aux transports publics, est indispensable.
