# Key Points from IRC Discussion

• A discussion on version control for physical objects highlighted existing solutions including Git for hardware projects (like RepRap), commercial software like SolidVersion, and the SKDB project (http://gnusha.org/skdb) which offers hardware package management and technology dependency resolution.

• Research sharing included a paper on producing native-sized recombinant spider silk protein in E. coli, which was on Biocurious' journal club reading list, demonstrating the community's interest in cutting-edge biotechnology applications.

• The channel revealed an informal ban on using the term "AI" without precise definitions, preferring specific descriptions of computational approaches rather than vague references to "intelligence," indicating a commitment to technical precision.

• Frustrations with OpenCog's partial open-source nature were discussed, where some components needed for the embodiment server were not released due to "politics with state funded universities in China," highlighting tensions in open science collaboration.

• An FBI report on Bitcoin from April 2012 was shared, indicating early government interest in cryptocurrency monitoring and regulation, a topic relevant to transhumanist concerns about financial autonomy.

• The community's information management challenges were evident in a discussion about browser tab management, with some users maintaining 800-2000 open tabs, suggesting significant information overload issues among researchers in this space.

• Technical discussions about X11 window management and multi-monitor setups highlighted how fundamental computing infrastructure affects productivity for researchers working on complex transdisciplinary projects.