# Key Technical and Conceptual Points from #hplusroadmap IRC Discussions

• Participants envisioned an open-source hardware database system (SKDB) similar to apt-get for physical objects, featuring parametrized blueprints and software to calculate parameters, though developers expressed frustration about marketing discussions taking precedence over technical development.

• The group debated the feasibility of DIY manufacturing approaches, discussing alternative materials like basalt fiber and glass fiber as more practical alternatives to expensive carbon fiber, while acknowledging the challenges of bootstrapping advanced manufacturing capabilities, particularly electronics fabrication.

• Developers discussed CAM software options for Linux including pycam, dxf2gcode, and inkscape biarc, while discovering OpenSCAD as a parametric 3D CAD modeler, though they questioned its use of a custom scripting language rather than binding to an existing language like Python.

• Technical challenges with SKDB implementation were discussed, including component rotation, kinematics simulation (potentially using Open Dynamics Engine), and file format conversion problems between various CAD formats (DXF, STL, STP).

• The conversation touched on molecular nanotechnology design tools including NanoEngineer-1 (noted for its complexity and numerous dependencies) and Fungimol (described as "a free system for doing computer aided design of molecular-scale machines").

• One developer mentioned experiencing "burnout" with the SKDB project because it hadn't yet reached a stage where it "does anything interesting enough" to maintain engagement, highlighting the challenges of sustaining momentum in open-source transhumanist technology development.