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Press and mediaOn this page, you can find press and media information about ASK-Solutions and the IRADIS Foundation. It provides a short description you can quote, guidance on correct naming and attribution, practical notes on non-profit and public-benefit context, and clear rules for reusing photos, screenshots, diagrams and identity visuals such as our logos and mascots. It also outlines how to request interviews, how we handle questions and deadlines, and what to arrange in advance for photography, filming and visits.
ASK-Solutions is the public name used by the IRADIS Foundation, a non-profit foundation registered in the Netherlands. The foundation works on shared knowledge, practical technical education, free software, free hardware, repair, privacy, digital autonomy and user control. Its work includes software and documentation projects such as Nocterra, repair and ownership-related work, public articles, educational material, and The Owl’s Nest: a practical workshop model for repair, making, shared tools and learning by doing.
ASK-Solutions has its registered seat and practical work locations in the Netherlands, including Haarlem, but its work is not limited to one city or one workshop. The foundation publishes knowledge, software, documentation, methods and examples so they can be reused across borders. The Owl’s Nest is also being documented as a reusable concept under the Howard Public Licence, so others can understand, join or independently start similar public-benefit initiatives.
When referring to the organisation, ASK-Solutions is the name we use publicly. It is pronounced like the English “ask solutions”, as in “I ask for directions”. The legal name of the foundation is The IRADIS Foundation (Dutch register name: Stichting IRADIS). In longer pieces, we recommend using “ASK-Solutions (The IRADIS Foundation)” on first mention, and “ASK-Solutions” afterwards.
Please do not refer to the organisation as “ASK-Solutions Foundation” or “Stichting ASK-Solutions”. Those are not the legal or public names. When referring to specific initiatives, please use their own names, such as The Owl’s Nest, Nocterra, Bōzuki or WasteBug, rather than treating them as generic programmes or local side projects.
Unless stated otherwise, our original articles, publications, and media are available under a Creative Commons licence that allows reuse with attribution. When a download (software, design files, datasets, or similar) includes its own licence or points to a licence file, that specific licence applies instead. If a page contains third-party material, the rights and attribution requirements for that material remain with the original rights holder.
A practical attribution line is usually enough:
For opinion pieces, commentary, and documentaries that quote small parts under fair use/fair dealing, attribution is still appreciated and helps readers find the full context. If you are unsure about reuse, want high-resolution assets, or need explicit permission for a specific use, please contact us with a short description of what you plan to publish.
ASK-Solutions is the public name used by the IRADIS Foundation for its practical public-benefit work. The foundation carries out its purpose through projects, publications, software, documentation, repair, practical education, workshop concepts and related activities.
Those activities are organised within the legal and administrative frameworks that apply to them, including registrations, cost recovery, material costs, VAT treatment and agreements with people, organisations or public bodies where relevant. This practical structure helps the foundation account for its work responsibly and keep knowledge, tools, methods and results usable for others.
For press and media use, ASK-Solutions is best described as a non-profit foundation activity focused on shared knowledge, technical understanding, repair, free software, free hardware, privacy, digital autonomy and user control.
Our mascots Howard and Tenzen are part of ASK-Solutions’ public identity. They are used as consistent visual markers in announcements and communication, and they help keep technical topics approachable without changing the substance. For background, correct naming, and how we treat mascot visuals in editorial contexts, see Meet Howard and Tenzen.
Unless stated otherwise, our photos, screenshots, diagrams, and other original visual material can be reused under the same Creative Commons-with-attribution approach described above. For visual reuse, “adaptation” should stay minimal and factual: resizing, light cropping, and basic colour/contrast corrections are fine when they do not change the meaning or context. If you substantially edit, remix, or present material in a way that could mislead, please treat it as a permission request rather than a routine reuse.
Our logos, mascots (including Howard and Tenzen), project logos, and other identity visuals are different: they function as brand identifiers. They may be used to accurately identify ASK-Solutions or the relevant project in editorial coverage, with attribution, but they must not be repurposed. This means: no redrawing or “inspired by” variants, no alterations to shapes, colours, proportions, or typography, and no use in a way that suggests endorsement, partnership, or affiliation when that is not the case. Using our marks or likenesses for merchandise, advertising, product branding, campaign branding, domain names, social media handles, or unrelated creative works requires prior written permission. One exception: human-created fan art of our mascots is permitted for non-commercial use, provided it is clearly presented as fan art and does not suggest endorsement or official status.
Need high-resolution logos, source files, approved variants, or original footage? Please contact us via the press contact section below and include the outlet or production, the intended use, the expected publication date, the formats you need, and whether the material will be edited. We are usually happy to provide suitable assets and guidance when the use is clearly for identification and accurate reporting.
The Owl’s Nest is one of the foundation’s public-benefit working models. It combines repair, making, shared tools, explanation, safety and practical learning in a workshop-like environment. A physical location can make this work visible, but The Owl’s Nest is not only a local workshop or one address in Haarlem.
The wider concept is being documented separately at the-owls-nest.org, including the Howard Public Licence, practical principles, information for people who want to join, and guidance for people or organisations who want to start an Owl’s Nest independently. The Dutch site the-owls-nest.nl is used for practical information about Dutch locations and activities.
We are open to interview requests and questions. Journalists, bloggers, researchers, students, and young makers are all welcome to get in touch; whether you are preparing an editorial piece, documentary, research project, thesis, (video) essay, or a school assignment.
In many cases, sending a short list of questions works best. It helps us respond accurately and saves time for everyone. If relevant, include your outlet or project, the angle or topic you are covering, any deadlines, and whether you are looking for quotes, technical review, or background context.
Photos, filming, and visits are possible, but only by appointment. We need to know in advance what you want to capture, who will be in frame, and where you plan to shoot (office, workshop, another location, or outside). That lets us plan responsibly, protect visitors’ privacy, and keep normal work and activities running.
Please be specific about the people and subjects you want to photograph or film (for example: an interview subject, a workshop activity, specific tools or machines, or general atmosphere shots). If staff, volunteers, or visitors are identifiable, we require explicit consent from those people. This is especially strict for minors. In many cases we prefer setups that avoid filming bystanders altogether, or that keep people unrecognisable (wide shots from behind, no name tags visible).
We also ask you to avoid capturing personal data. That includes screens, paperwork, shipping labels, addresses, phone numbers, and any other identifying details that may appear incidentally. If a shoot risks exposing personal data or sensitive operational information, we may restrict locations, require changes to the plan, or decline the request.
If you plan to shoot outside, permits may be required by law and local rules; arranging those permits is the responsibility of the production. Filming in the workshop has additional requirements: professional crews must have appropriate liability insurance and may be asked to provide proof. Where relevant, we require a safety briefing or basic safety training before filming, and everyone on site must follow instructions and use required protective equipment. Some areas, tools, or activities may be off-limits during filming.
Depending on what or who is filmed — particularly when people are identifiable, safety procedures are involved, or footage could be taken out of context — we may ask to review sensitive segments before publication. We also ask for a copy of the final published material (or a selected set of stills/clips) for our archive and documentation.
For press and media enquiries, please email press@ask-solutions.org. To help us respond quickly and accurately, include who you are (outlet or project), the topic and intended angle, the format (article, documentary, podcast, research, school piece), your deadline, and whether you need background on naming, public-benefit context, VAT, ANBI or organisational structure. If you are requesting an interview, please also include who you would like to speak to and whether you need on-site photos or filming.
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