[Imc-g8-2005] Edinburgh IMC Media Centre - Information update and issues

[Planet Mail]

hiya,

update on what's now looking like a great edinburgh imc, description of 
some facilities, possibilities and things to sort.
a seperate set of tasks and specifc things to do can be developed out of 
this and the ongoing set of meetings that are due to happen.
and some pics can be shown at the convergence event in london when it's 
fully announced :)

i'm working on connectivity, power etc together with ab who is also liaison 
to building.

will update wiki soon :)

ciao,
dave

EDINBURGH INDEPENDENT MEDIA CENTRE:

It's a truly great building, and a very nice place for imc to be!
Owned by charitable trust - good relations and feedback in all discussions 
so far.
Contract for hire signed covering period Sat 25th June - Sunday 10th July.

Since the space is available for the entire week before the main protests 
and events begin, there is adequate time for set up.
Space is therefore available for training workshops directly ahead of the 
protests etc - a programme of which can be developed.

ENVIRONMENT:
Pretty well situated in central Edinburgh + Good transport links.
 From the evolving plans for G8 related edinburgh infrastructure, it looks 
like there will be adequate dedicated info-spaces with stalls, cheap food 
and booze, evening entertainments, as well as convergence spaces and 
perhaps large scale camping / crash venue. All this means that pressure on 
the imc should be much reduced compared to previous mobilisations.

ACCESS TIMES:
To be decided by core imc network collectives.
NB other spaces in edinburgh should also have computers and at least one 
should be 24hr access.
NB policy of no sleeping at imc.
NB core collective groups need to decide which day the centre will open for 
public imc access
(ie is this the first day sat 25th june? or monday 27th? etc - how much 
prep time is needed - when will computer arrive?)

ACCESS:
Two doors from street. Suitable space for check in desk for access to main 
imc hall.

CONNECTIVITY:
Currently has broadband and wi-fi. Need to boost broadband connection 
significantly and beef up wi-fi. Chuck in another additional phone line as 
well.

NB Building is NON SMOKING. A strong stance needs to be taken on this (eg 
putting in all info materials and signs up on walls), and anyway the main 
imc space should really be non smoking as people will have to work there 
for long hours and it's not fair on non-smokers.

TOILETS:
2 x 2 in seperate rooms. No urinals. Washbasins, no hand dryers.
1 Additional.

FIRE:
Building has adequate fire extinguishers, up to date. Need additional C02 
electric specific extinguishers.
Fire plan exists with assembly points etc + 1 additional fire exit.

===============

MAIN IMC HALL:

Single large square space. Lots of daylight. Lots of wall space for 
exhibitions / notice boards.

Lots of space capacity for tables with computers to be arranged as people 
see fit. Example - if arranged in simple back to back trestle table style 
straight lines then wouild easily fit 60 machines, with enough space for 20 
laptop connection points - and a 'lounge area' with a few sofas and an area 
for coffeee machine / food storage. Not saying that's how it should be just 
an idea of capacity.

Tables and chairs: There are 7 hexagonal tables and about 25 university 
style chairs with those small flip over arm rests. These are not ideal - 
the hexagonal tables could be used but if you go for this seating 
arrangement then cabling becomes more complex, though of course it's good 
for groups of people that want to work together. Either way more tables and 
chairs will need to be sourced for the hall.

Has good positions for banner hanging, running cables overhead, projecting 
on walls etc

Power and connectivity of course need more attention, but people are 
working on that.

Main issue will be COMPUTERS...
- how many? sourced from where? transported how? delivered on which day? 
networked how and in what way? with what clients? operational by which 
date? etc etc
NB a few people making enquiries in scotland to source large uniform batches.

================

CAFE SPACE:

The building also contains a good size cafe space with small kitchen. The 
space will be open access to all - imc can control access to imc parts of 
building if it so chooses. The cafe which does cheapish vegetarian and 
vegan food, tea and coffee, will be open throughout the duration, 10am - 
midnight each day. Access to imc can be either through cafe are or via 
other entrance. There is an existing cafe managing group with a core of 
volunteers who will run the cafe. They have experience of busy times from 
the edinburgh festival. A series of briefing meetings is arranged for the 
weeks before for their volunteers where imc can discuss practicalities and 
a final co-ordination meeting will happen at the start of the two week imc 
hire period. It needs to be made clear that this particular part of the 
space is a collaboration - and not soly imc space.

The cafe space is the responsibility of the cafe collective, but they of 
course will co-ordinate with imc on requirements. It would be nice if some 
imc volunteers also did some shifts in the cafe as well. The cafe space is 
cosy and welcoming, pretty big, has tables, chairs and sofas, and will be 
wi-fi enabled for the g8 - so a nice relaxing space for people sitting 
around and drinking coffee with laptops. Has sound system, projector, 
screen etc etc - so possible to show films in evenings, do smaller 
discussions etc - proposals for specific activities that can be advertised 
to be suggested in next few weeks.

A few additional open access machines can be situated in cafe area as well.

Have asked about wall exhibition space here as well.

Note: space is not a 'party' space, restricions on music volume at night, 
no alcohol for sale on premises, core cafe area locked at midnight.
It's a very nice chill space which in fact is exactly what's wanted :-)

=================

ADDITIONAL ROOMS:

There are some additional rooms away from the main imc hall that imc can 
possibly use. Proposals are being made to the building to see what is 
possible and will be full report back as this progresses. Possible usage 
for rooms could be radio / video / print etc.

Room #1 Currently in use and good order. Would have to be hired seperately, 
though if participatory training comes as part of proposal then cost much 
lower. Has existing sufficient power sockets.

Room #2 Currently not in use, though has been used previously. Has existing 
sufficient power sockets.

Room #3 Connects to room #2. Not in use. To get it up to usable standard 
some plaster board would have to be replaced etc. This is totaly possible 
for a few volunteers estimated time 2 days, estimated total cost £80 - 100. 
Building keen on such a proposal.

A couple of other rooms exist, but these are either venue office rooms or 
store rooms. These rooms will be locked. Store room keys to stay with building.

==============

ARTS ROOM:

There is a small room that is used for arts exhibitions by an autonomous 
artists collective.
They have content scheduled for the g8 period. We have proposed 2 things:

1) IMC provide content for the room instead during the g8 - eg picture / 
graphic exhibition on walls, and video (tv or projection) within.

2) If existing artists collective want to retain sole control over room for 
their own content, we have made it clear that the room needs to both be in 
the spirit of the main building for the g8 period, and also functional - ie 
the room will become another space for people to hang out in and they need 
to take into consideration that the building will see periods of heavy 
usage, unlike standard day to day current usage.

=============

ADDITIONAL:

Building houses two photocopiers, but are owned and used by group there - 
have asked about securing use if imc provides new ink cartridge and paper.

=============

...ends