#hackerdojo

For someone visiting from Florida, a trip to Silicon Valley ought to include a visit to HackerDojo in Mountain View (Thanks to Sean and Theresa for suggesting this place!). 

It's run like a (or as a?) co-operative, so that was of particular appeal.  We at SiliconGlades have had this dream of resurrecting abandoned startups, and creating a co-op model out of it, so it was interesting to at least see a co-op workspace.  Lawrence at HackerDojo provided an impromptu tour, which we very much appreciated, even though it was rather late in the afternoon.  Here is a picture-story.

The parking lot was full, so I had to park on the street but did not realize that I had overlapped the red-zone on the sidewalk.  A friendly HackerDojo member walked up to me later on and asked if I was driving a Nissan, and suggested I move my car or be towed.  Thank you my friend.  That was timely and serendipitous that you observed me parking and remembered me!  Much appreciated!

  When you walk in, you are greeted by a Bitcoin kiosk.  The first one in the State of California, I am told. 

Take a closer look at the ATM.

I asked around for the head honcho to get myself a tour, and passed by some happy folks ...

... until I was handed off to Lawrence, who kindly walked me around.

Once I was signed in I was all set for my tour of HackerDojo

Just in case I missed it ... here was a reminder

We walked past rows of technical looking books on book shelves...

and more books, near the ping pong table.

That's the break room

and more rooms on the entire fringe of a large space ...

Several closed work-spaces ...

More rooms ...

and some work-spaces, where a day earlier, I understand that there were trapeze artists showing off their skills ...

and a phone booth in case of any emergencies (not sure if it is a maker's project) ...

A large meeting room for presentations and training workshops ...

A very large room with rows and rows of folks on their computers, hooked to cables hanging from the ceiling (this actually reminded me of a garment factory).

And then we walked past the maker-space tables...

and more equipment

where they recently made a skate board.

There's also a printer where one can print banners for trade shows,

and also a printer to print circuit boards.

Overall, a cool place, but our experience with software development makes us wonder if the distractions of a foosball table and a pingpong table really maketh a good place for creative minds to work in the flow. 

Perhaps there's an opportunity to collaborate between the two Bay Areas by connecting startups in HackerDojo and those in various hubs in Florida. 

Perhaps, some of the entrepreneurs at HackerDojo may have startups they want to present to the public for feedback at an upcoming AlligatorZone in the Bay Area, or maybe even in Tampa Bay Area.