XML

Maintaining the XML

24-09-25

During my first year at XPUB I used to spend a lot of time in the XML.

I wish most of this time was dedicated to play with the things we have there, but actually I was mostly searching for the correct HDMI cable for the Raspberry Pi 4.

This cable (0/10 cable) was somehow travelling on its own and disappearing all the times I needed it. I love the XML, but all of the great things about it are, for the most part, scattered on the floor, everything is all over the place.

When I see people enter the space I sense their immediate repulsion to it (which is understandable, where do you even start looking for things?) but I do believe that there is more to the XML than it being a messy place.

In the first year I used to jokingly say that one day I would re-organize the XML and now, during my second year, I am actually doing it.

So, what to do with this space?

I want to make it a public space for others to use, which can mean working individually or in a small group, with either your own things or exploring the great tools that are hidden inside of the XML.
Making this space public means also to make the responsability of keeping it in a good shape public.

How?

Great question, I've got some ideas:

• Make the space walkable. Take things off of the floor and select what to keep and what to let go of.
• Make the space workable. Clear the table, change the disposition, get chairs.
• Group things together as much as possible. Make use of the shelves, possibly get another one.
• Make an inventory (ideally with others so they also start finding out what do we have and what is available to them). So much stuff here... it never ends
• Make posters?
• Make stickers?

PS: I feel like the last two points are never a bad idea for anything.