Hacker Post

One-Page Field Rules

The whole protocol on one page. Print it, tape it above the box. Human mesh, sneakernet, best effort—the rest is details.

1. Write a postcard.
2. Address it to a handle, scene, hackerspace, meetup, or conference.
3. Hand it to someone going the right way.

Postcard fields

Recipient: _______________
Date:      _______________
Location:  _______________
Message:   _______________

Use handles, not legal names.
Use approximate locations, not private addresses.

Couriers

• Carry mail only if you want to.
• Take only what you want to carry.
• Move it closer if you can.
• Drop it at a hackerspace, meetup, conference, or local hacker.
• If you cannot deliver it, pass it on or boomerang it back.

Postmasters

1. Collect mail.
2. Sort mail.
3. Send mail onward.

Suggested sorting:

LOCAL / NORTH / SOUTH / EAST / WEST / UNKNOWN

Unroutable? Send it up to a bigger post office. No sender field, so no return to sender.

Message rules

• Postcards only.
• No sealed envelopes.
• No packages.
• No secrets.
• No doxxing.
• No harassment.
• No dangerous cargo.
• No private info without consent.

Assume every postcard is public.

The protocol

Best effort. No guarantees. No obligation. Route closer. Keep it weird.