# Key Points from the #hplusroadmap IRC Discussion (September 11, 2011)

• Participants discussed developing an open-source parametric CAD system with WebGL support, using JavaScript with a Python backend, highlighting the significant technical challenges of implementing complex geometry operations in browser environments.

• A DIY spectroscopy project was shared (http://topologicoceans.wordpress.com/2011/03/15/diy-spectro-ii/), representing ongoing efforts in the open-source scientific instrumentation community.

• The acquisition of Caliper Life Sciences for $600 million was noted, indicating significant commercial interest in optical imaging technology during this period.

• Kanzure shared his "lolcad" project (http://diyhpl.us/cgit/lolcad/) as a potential foundation for a simplified CAD system, contrasting his 1000-line Python approach with complex implementations like OpenCascade (100K+ lines).

• The conversation included technical discussion of ESOLID, a solid modeling system for exact boundary evaluation from UNC research (http://gamma.cs.unc.edu/ESOLID/).

• Singularity University's creation of "Singularity Angels," a new angel funding group for transhumanist/futurist projects, was mentioned, showing early institutional support for transhumanist ventures.

• An article on DIY bioengineering titled "Do-It-Yourself Bioengineers Bedeviled by Society's Paranoia" was shared (http://www.genengnews.com/gen-articles/do-it-yourself-bioengineers-bedeviled-by-society-s-paranoia/3383/), highlighting societal tensions around biohacking.