FAQ

Thanks for your interest in Sudo Room!

What is Sudoroom?

We're a free & open community space for hackers, artists, activists and YOU!

What's a hackerspace?

Watch this KQED Video Open Source Creativity: Hackerspaces:

"It's not easy to say what a hackerspace is exactly. You know it when you're in one, but they're all unique because people are so unique."
—Mitch Altman of Noisebridge

What does "sudo" mean?

Sudo is a software command that stands for "super user do". It's pronounced "sue-dough" or "sue-due".

Who can go there?

When Sudoroom is open, anybody can go. You don't have to be a member. All you have to do is respect our space, and respect others! Sudoroom is open most of the time.

When Sudoroom is closed, you need an access code. Members have access codes. This usually only happens very late at night, or early in the morning.

To check if we're open, you can call our phone number: (510) 858-7145

Much of our space is wheelchair-accessible via a large elevator. Some parts are wheelchair-inaccessible due to being narrow and cluttered.

Young children need to be supervised by a guardian. We don't have childcare available. Sorry!

Can I have an event there?

Maybe! We love events like these:

• For a good cause
• Local, community-based
• Disability accessible
• Free, sliding scale, pay what you can, donation-based, nobody turned away

We don't like events like these:

• Pay-walled
• Socially oppressive
• Corporate or military sponsored

To make an event:

• If you are a member - use do-ocracy:
  • Check the calendar for conflicts
  • Create a Wordpress account
  • Add your event
• If you are not a member:
  • If you anticipate any problems, reach out to the mailing list or to info@sudoroom.org.
  • Get approval by sudoers. A good way to do this is at one of our weekly general meetings. Showing up in person is preferred. But if you can't make it you can ask for the action to happen over the sudo-discuss mailing list (as linked above), and maybe you can get approval over email.

We can promote your event on our blog, twitter, etc. Just ask!

How do I become a member?

1. Introduce yourself in person or on the mailing list or at a meeting
2. Pay some dues or do some work like cleaning, etc
3. Create a wiki user page or email some contact info to info@sudoroom.org
4. Wait a short while
5. Poof! You're a member!

Existing members can block you if they know you to be a violent, malicious or otherwise problematic person, but this is rare.

What does membership mean?

If you are a member then you can participate in our consensus decision-making procedure—the way sudo room acts.

It also means you can have your own access code, which means you can let yourself into the space.

What's your legal structure?

It's still evolving. Here's some history:

• In November 2011, Sudoroom held its first meeting. We've held regular meetings ever since then.
• In early 2012, we agreed to an Articles of Association.
• In late 2013, we filed Articles of Incorporation with the state of California, and elected a Board of Directors

Can I store X at sudoroom

You can put a useful tool or some hacker ore neatly at sudoroom. Once you put something out a sudo and unless it says "do not hack on it" (and even then) there is no guarantee as to what will happen. You can however also rent a locker at sudo if you need private space, it is $25 per month.

When is sudo room open?

Sudo room doesn't have official hours. If you are a member you can get 24-hour access to let yourself in. If you are not a member, you will have to depend on at least one other member being there to let you in. You can always call the phone inside the space at +1.510.858.7145 to see if someone is there.

Typically there people at sudo room from 11am to 2am (or later 4am) most days of the week - but no guarantees.

Can you fix my iPhone/iPad/Android Phone/Tablet/Laptop/other Device?

Complicated. Sudo room does not offer fix-it services. You can come to sudo room, use all our tools, and ask for help in fixing it yourself. Maybe a nice sudoer - and there are some nice sudoers - will help point you in the right direction or explain something that youtube DIY fixing video didn't go over. If you want to find someone that might be able to help online you can contact the high-traffic mailing list In general there are no guarantees, but if you are dedicated you can learn to fix your own iBad.