- Open-source CAD tools discussed: BRL-CAD, HeeksCAD, and Open CASCADE were mentioned as candidates for collaborative hardware design.  
- “Fabuntu” concept floated: a proposed Ubuntu-based distribution tailored for digital fabrication and lab automation; related domain-name squatting considered.  
- Synthetic-biology sharing culture: O’Reilly ETech preview quoted a vision where researchers casually “borrow a cup of restriction enzymes,” highlighting the push for open, standardized bio-parts exchange.  
- Juan Enriquez TED talk (http://www.ted.com/talks/juan_enriquez_shares_mindboggling_new_science.html) linked—focus on synthetic biology and long-term scientific resilience beyond the financial crisis.  
- Google Group “manuauto” (http://groups.google.com/group/manuauto) shared as a coordination hub for automated-manufacturing discussions.  
- Pradeep at the Army’s ADL lab approached about integrating open-source CAD into military design workflows; potential joint pitch to Campbell mentioned.  
- Slashdot comment posted (http://science.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1131177&cid=26889933) advocating open-source hardware and CAD for biological instrumentation.  
- Community logistics: Fenn’s relocation to Austin noted, with plans to store equipment at a shared shop and arrange temporary housing.  
- Historical curiosity: 1954 “home computer” control-panel photo circulated (http://www.pa-spaug.org/News04/1954HomeComputerH.jpg) and later debunked as a submarine control console.