The Lounge

Hello everyone just a reminder when you’re leaving the Makerspace and you’re the last one there you need to remember to close and lock the gate as well as turn the heat back on if you turn it off. I got there this morning at about 545 gates were both wide open and the heat was turned right off. If you’re too warm in the space you can turn the heat down but if we got a good cold last night we would’ve had a freeze.

So just a gentle reminder to make sure you leave the space as you found it with the heat on locked up, etc., and before you leave and go out the gate if there’s nobody else around in the other tenant part at the front, make sure you lock the gate

It has happened again. The gate was left unlocked last night. Please remember to lock the gate if you're the last one out. Don't make me make a sign.

I came in very late, past 9, and there was noone around but the gate was open, so I assumed there must be a reason for this non-equilibrium state and left it as-is. 

Technically I left it as I found it, but perhaps I should have taken initiative and locked up anyways?

Might as well post it here in relation to proper procedure for entering/leaving the space. On Tuesday night, the padlock for our gate was stolen before I left the Space around 10pm. I had unlocked the gate when I arrived, but left the lock unsecured on the fence, and someone must have swiped it. A new lock and keys have been sourced and provided to Drivehub, and new keys are in our lockboxes. As part of the conversation with the landlord, the lockboxes are now on the fence next to the right gate.

At all times, the padlock for the gate should be locked to the fence, and only unlocked when closing and securing the gate. If the gate is open when you arrive at the Space, especially after business hours or days when Drivehub isn't open, please make sure the lock is secured to the fence so it cannot be taken.

Please scramble the combination on the lock box when you return the key. They are not self scrambling. I've attached Drive Hubs most recent hours.

That was me, apologies.

Now it looks like the lock box has taken a stroll. Neither our box nor the other one that was there are on the fence, or the ground. The lock is still attached to the gate though.

I'm going to tie the gate with some wire, cause I dont have a spare lock or rope. Not really sure what else to do.

Thank you, Jeff. I think I was the last person to use one of those lock boxes on Monday evening, and I made sure to scramble the numbers on both, so we seem to have quite the curious thief. If they managed to open the boxes, why didn't they steal the lock like last time?

I have informed the landlord and Drivehub, we may need to find a different solution, and I may need to get a new lock if our keys are potentially out in the wild.

I have spoken to the landlord, and they have placed a combination padlock on the gate. Unfortunatly I am unlikely to make it to the meeting tonight, so I am passing this along for discussion tonight.

The landlord/other tenants would like the gate locked most of the time after 6pm. If few people are there later in the evening/night, please lock yourself in. This will also reduce the likelihood of encountering strangers when you leave or random knocks on the door. Wednesday Nights, this does not apply, but must be closed after Hack Night.

Ensure the lock is locked to the gate, not just hanging, as a previous padlock has been stolen. Open the gates outward toward the street. Opening them inward creates stress on the gate and has previously damaged it.

There is a hope to change the code on the new padlock with regularity. There should be a discussion about the frequency of communicating this code change to members. The landlord is hoping for monthly or every couple of months

This presents a possibility of burdening volunteers with extra work. Primarily in communication with members who may not be making an effort to keep up with the forum or other communication efforts. When talking to other/potential members, please stress the importance of seeking information from primary sources, such as the forum/reading emails. Not bugging other members. (If you are reading this or at a meeting, you are doing excellent.)

When I was wiring the low voltage and installing the RFID system, I ran wires between the controller and the front gate for a key fob solution to this problem. (Thank you to Kam IT for the assistance and materials on this project.) RFID would eliminate the need for communicating codes to members. I will restart my efforts on this project. Unfortunatly due to my current workload, I am unable to make any guarantees on the timeline or offer assistance to someone else implementing it.

An email with the instructions from the landlord and the code for the new lock has been sent out to the current membership. Please refer to it if you are ever unsure about how to use the gate at the Makerspace. For any new members joining the Space, please only refer to these procedures and codes when giving them an orientation or explanation when they first come in.