# Key Points from IRC Log (August 5, 2011)

* Discussion of open-source laser printers sparked by a Hacker News post, with questions about patent exemptions for personal and research use, including references to the "Common law research exemption" which allows patent use for "amusement, curiosity, or philosophical inquiry."

* Conversation about Greg Egan's novel "Permutation City" explored philosophical implications of mind uploading, with debate about whether life as an upload would be more meaningful (due to unlimited time for exploration) or less meaningful (due to virtualization).

* Reference to Degate (degate.org), an open-source software for reverse engineering integrated circuits, potentially relevant to DIY hardware development.

* Discussion of DIY liquid handling equipment (LH001 on GitHub), with mentions of a potential commercial version priced around $4,000, compared to commercial systems costing $30,000 (like the Quad-Z).

* Networking around biohacking and longevity research, including mentions of Kaeberlein Lab, Spiral Genetics, and Halcyon Molecular as potential places for transhumanist-oriented researchers to work.

* Brief mention of DIYbio Houston transitioning to a new organization (referred to as "ARCsomething"), indicating evolution in the community biohacking space.