[Advisors] Growth of Fab Labs in Canada

[Marita Moll]

For the benefit of all (myself included) who are wondering about the 
differences between makerspaces, fab labs, and other similiar 
initiatives, here is a really useful discussion which clearly sets out 
the differences.

http://makezine.com/2013/05/22/the-difference-between-hackerspaces-makerspaces-techshops-and-fablabs/

My take away:

Fab-labs is a network set up through MIT, there is a certain minimum 
requirement with respect to space and equipment -- but non-profit.

Makerspaces seem to evolve out of community needs -- also non-profit. 
Less investment required, more local DIY. 3-D printers may be new, but 
the idea is old (to me). I see this as something communities have always 
been doing under a new name ( and using new technologies, of course).

Community networks have been supporting creative use of technologies 
from the beginning. It is essential if they want to stay relevant and be 
sustainable. And I congratulate Communautique (and Monique) who have 
constantly been exploring and pushing the boundaries of learning through 
community engagement.  Whether it is a radio station, a recording space 
a 3-d printer or a digital literacy webinar -- it is all a process of 
evolution and every community will be at a different place on that 
continuum. Getting into the Fab Lab network would require some financial 
investment from some local/regional sources. For communities struggling 
with basic access that is not realistic.

But I believe that TC is an umbrella which accommodate this difference.  
We can support an agenda that says every community needs to have access 
to broadband internet services and it must be a national priority to see 
that this happens.  We can also encourage communities who are part of 
fab lab and makerspace initiatives to share their experiences and help 
others build such spaces. That's how this discussion breaks down for me.

With respect to the CACTUS intervention to the CRTC, there is no 
specific commitment to the principle that all communities must be 
connected while a large amount of money would be diverted to support 
resource intensive hubs for television production and well equipped 
maker/fab labs, etc. That could be because of the regulatory weirdness 
at the CRTC.  On the broadcasting side there is no place to talk about 
access -- it is probably only possible on the telecom side. It doesn't 
make sense and, like Brian, I am having difficulty getting past that.

Marita


On 1/10/2016 4:45 PM, Darlene Thompson wrote:
> I do not know if N-CAP would be able to participate in this initiative 
> but I would certainly like to learn more.  Please include me in any 
> teleconference that you might organize.
>
> Thanks!
>
> D
>
> On Sat, Jan 9, 2016 at 8:59 PM, Marita Moll <mmoll at ca.inter.net 
> <mailto:mmoll at ca.inter.net>> wrote:
>
>     Merci Monique. I would be happy to help you promote your Fab Labs
>     project with other members. I see that Garth Graham from Victoria
>     has already expressed interest.  We will see who else is
>     interested. Teleconference maybe -- through skype -- to start?
>
>     Marita
>
>     -------- Original Message --------
>     Subject: 	[Advisors] Growth of Fab Labs in Canada
>     Date: 	Sat, 9 Jan 2016 18:27:34 -0500
>     From: 	Monique Chartrand <direction at communautique.qc.ca>
>     <mailto:direction at communautique.qc.ca>
>     To: 	advisors advisors <advisors at tc.ca> <mailto:advisors at tc.ca>
>
>
>
>     Happy New Year to you,
>
>     We work more than ever this year to the growth of Fab Labs in Canada. We are counting on thirty developing projects in Quebec but we realize that the rest of Canada seems to show some delay.
>
>     I would like to explore with you the possibilities that Telecommunités Canada may join us as co-promoter of an approach to find the breeding grounds in Canada and contribute to help on working conditions to their developpement (perhaps a new access program).
>
>     We are advancing well with McConnell Foundation, and we are to identify which organizations would be interested in co-promoting or partnering in the development of this network in line with values ​​and impacts already established by CAP sites.
>
>     I also wonder if among you there would be developers or partners interested in participating in this development in your provinces.
>
>     Looking forward to reading you,
>
>     Monique
>
>
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