Ask HN: Artist's colony for hackers?

6 points by zkarcher 15 years ago | 5 comments

I have released two iOS apps. I have planned a third app, but it's more complex than the others, and I'd like to develop it in (relative) isolation.

I applied to an artist's colony. They promise a distraction-free workspace, with meals brought to your door, etc. Sadly, they did not select me to be a resident. The app will be an artistic tool (processing incoming sounds, and composing musical phrases) but I fear that app development isn't recognized as an artform yet.

Should I:

1). Apply to other art colonies?

2). Ask other types of organizations for help? Are there "hacker colonies" anywhere in the world?

3). Make my own isolation -- rent a beach house, or remote cabin, for a couple months?

Any advice is appreciated.

tuska 15 years ago |

Fast internet connection might be expensive in Borneo if that is required for your work. Not an issue in Malaysian mainland/ peninsula, but isolated place in Borneo might be different.

This is a great idea though. Creating hacker colony in some low-cost, but internet connected place. 3-month and longer sessions available.

zkarcher 15 years ago | |

Good to know. A fast internet connection would be nice, but 3G is acceptable.

What amenities should a hacker colony have? I'm thinking: fast internet, quiet cabins, food delivered to your door, remote area that is good for walking & exploring, easy access to a nearby town (maybe via shuttle).

drpancake 15 years ago |

I'd rent a beach house in Malaysian Borneo. Parts of it are a paradise, hardly any tourists compared to somewhere like Thailand and many speak English so you can get by. It's also pretty cheap.

zkarcher 15 years ago | |

Thanks! Since it's cheap, I could eat out more often, and spend less time on cooking & cleaning...

drpancake 15 years ago | | |

No worries. I spent four months backpacking through six countries and Borneo was the highlight for me. You could probably live quite comfortably for $6-7k/year.