We’re rounding out our second week here at 394 Broadway, and are getting a better and better idea of all of the new dynamics of our new space and our new hosts.
So far, the two biggest hurdles between us and a perfect space are things we’re familiar with: noise and internet.
Noise Levels
Noise levels are a constant tradeoff with coworking spaces. We exchange a level of privacy and silence for a more pleasant, social work environment, but striking the right balance between the two is a constant challenge— especially in a smaller space.
NWC 2.0 will have no shortage of private spots for people who need silence, phone calls, or meetings, but in the meantime we’re working with GreenSpaces on improving what we’ve got here.
GS will be installing new phone booths over the weekend, which will help alleviate the need for more quiet space.
It’s clear, though, that working in a larger space such as this one entails a different dynamic. Shared areas like the entryway, kitchen, and bathroom all get more traffic, and as a result can be more of a distraction. It seems that a larger space entails giving these shared areas more buffer room to account for this increase.
The Insatiable Need for Internet
Internet, too, is a constant challenge. When we first started up at NWC 1.0, we were running on a Verizon Business DSL connection with a 7 megabit downstream and 768k upstream. The limited upstream quickly became an issue, so we started working with our friends at Atlantic Metro to install a much more kickass 5 megabit synchronous ethernet connection.
That turned out to be plenty for us, though we did battle intermittent slowdowns and other network issues throughout.
Here at NWC 1.5, we’re facing some fresh challenges. This space features dual internet connections, a business DSL connection with 12-15 Megabit downstream and 768k upstream, bonded with a Metro Ethernet connection that’s 3 megabit synchronous. This provides a little of the best of both worlds, but the fact that there are two connections combined into one means things requiring a persistent connection like VPN and Skype can get dropped.
This caused some frustration.
I sat down with Chris, GS’s network engineer, and we devised a solution. Several, actually. So far our first solution is working, but we’ve got more waiting in the wings just in case.
I said it on Twitter the other day, and I’ll say it again here: we will spare no expense with NWC 2.0’s internet connection. It is the lifeblood of a coworking space and should be treated as such.
Problems solved - for now
So Week 3 should be far better with fresh solutions in place for noise and internet, but experience tells me that they’re two things we always need to be keeping an eye on.
If you’re running or working in another coworking space somewhere in the world, do you run into some of the same challenges, or are other factors more important for you?
