# Key Points from #hplusroadmap IRC Discussion

• Participants brainstormed names for a new fabrication laboratory in Austin, with suggestions including "fabratory," "fablab ATX," "VonFab," "Automatorium," and Japanese-inspired options like "seizougyou.org," reflecting the group's interest in creating a hackerspace.

• Kanzure shared analysis of Debian package maintenance data, revealing a surprisingly low package-to-maintainer ratio (5.8-6.0 packages per maintainer) and estimating the half-life of Debian maintainers at approximately 7.5 years.

• The group discussed automated food preparation systems, referencing historical "Automats" and modern implementations like pizza and ramen vending machines, connecting to broader transhumanist interests in automation and self-sufficient systems.

• Fenn described work on developing an inventory system for the fabrication lab using YAML-formatted data that included engineering specifications, noting challenges in determining what information belonged in an inventory system.

• The conversation included criticism of academic projects like iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine competition), highlighting how potentially useful innovations like melamine sensors are often abandoned after initial development.

• Technical discussions covered git repository management tools like gitosis for improving collaboration on their projects, suggesting an emphasis on open-source development practices.

• A comprehensive resource of existing hackerspaces (http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/List_of_Hacker_Spaces) was shared, indicating the group was researching established models for their own initiative.