Speaker: Antonio and Friend

About: Hacklabs

Website: http://www.hacklab.org.uk/

London email: freedomlab@sinroot.net

The name comes from hacking (hacker: using technology to find solutions for things: even a plumber can be a hacker, if you see how things work, twist to make it work in a particular way) and laboratory (physical space where hackers can work with machines or people); globally a social space to use technology to promote social change, simultaneously Hacklabs in Spain and Italy (Milan, Madrid); in Britain: one in Rampart Social Centre (2nd floor; open every Saturday), other in Freedom Bookshop; both in Whitechapel.

What we do: Take computers from skips, donated materials and try to make them work; sometimes need 2-3 to get 1 to work; 28 computers so far, with internet access; Indymedia members use some of them. Install free software onto the computers (if you use the Microsoft platform you are at their mercy). Wipe-out computers' harddrives, replace with free operating systems, do workshops on Open-Office, radio workshops, video workshops (all using free software such as Linux). For all programs, try to find the free alernative (eg GIMP (Gnu Image Manipulation Program) instead of Photoshop); for now it is all still free, campaign on patents at the moment, depends how it goes in the European Parliament, but at the moment it is legal and accepted.

Donating old computers? Problem is space and transport; costs to ethically dispose of computers, have too much hardware at the moment. Sometimes get Pentiums (3, AND), the stars of the hacklab, look after them. Apart from video, can use any computer; most people just want to use the internet or text documents; most computers can even create audio files shorter than 45 mins. Pressure from software and hardware developers to buy bigger and bigger stuff; break the chain with free software, the older the printers and computers, the more compatible they are with free software.

Ramparts: Mon, Thurs, Sat, Sun: definitely something going on, centre open; open most evenings, just go in and switch on a computer. Freedom Bookshop: open normal bookshop hours.