ASK-Solutions

A theme describes a common thread running through the work, such as privacy, freedom, knowledge, society or Right to Repair. A theme can therefore appear across multiple projects and activities.

A project has a more concrete context, history and purpose. It may have its own software, documentation, designs, activities or website. A project can therefore relate to several themes at the same time.

The Projects page provides an overview of current and historical projects of ASK-Solutions. Projects with their own website also link from there to their own documentation and publications.

The Owl’s Nest is a project of ASK-Solutions built around a shareable work model in which repair, making, shared tools, practical explanation, knowledge transfer and learning by doing come together. The work model is not tied to a single workshop, address or operator. Different operators can apply it at different locations; ASK-Solutions is itself one of those operators.

How the work model is implemented in practice differs by location. For the background and development of the project, see The Owl’s Nest; for current locations, capabilities, workshops and practical arrangements, use the The Owl’s Nest website.

Nocterra is a free software project of ASK-Solutions for source-based and maintainable web publishing. The CMS is designed around inspectable files, portability, privacy and long-term control by the people who maintain a website.

The project page explains its relationship with ASK-Solutions. The Nocterra website contains the software, documentation and project-specific information.

WasteBug is a minimalist bug tracker that is preserved and used as free software, and developed further where needed. The project combines software preservation with practical use within ASK-Solutions for development work, internal follow-up and other purposes.

More about its history, original authorship, recovery and current status can be found on the WasteBug project page.

Bookkeeping is a free Java client/server software project used by ASK-Solutions for bookkeeping, VAT, the general ledger, relations, reporting, project administration and other administrative work. It is not an external bookkeeping service, but a software project that grew from the foundation’s own administrative needs.

Bookkeeping and WasteBug can connect project information without becoming the same system. See the Bookkeeping project page for the technical and functional background.

Bōzuki is a phased technical build project based around an older Suzuki Swift. The car is used as an ongoing demonstration and learning object for practical ownership, repair, design, fabrication, electronics, documentation and technical learning.

Bōzuki is carried out within The Owl’s Nest – Paul Krugerstraat and also has its own project website for the build, documentation and shared results.

An organisation or collaborating partner can financially support development within an existing project. The development remains part of that project and is not carried out as an exclusive custom product for the funder.

For example, development of the Event add-on for Nocterra is funded for an agreed period by a collaborating partner. The add-on is developed as part of Nocterra and is intended for general use within the project, not only for the party funding its development.