# Key Points from ##hplusroadmap IRC Discussion (January 14, 2015)

• Participants discussed JDB, an open-source time-series database comparable to commercial offerings, highlighting the community's interest in accessible big data analytics tools for research projects.

• A market-based conservation approach was debated, exploring whether commercial breeding of endangered species like rhinos and elephants could create legal supply channels that might reduce poaching pressures.

• The group explored the fascinating concept of creating octopus exoskeletons to enable land mobility, addressing technical challenges such as water maintenance requirements and neural interfaces between biological and mechanical components.

• Kanzure shared octopus research resources, noting that their transparent eggs allow observation of brain development, making them potential candidates for directed evolution experiments selecting for increased brain size.

• The discussion highlighted affordable DIY electronics for biohacking projects, including Arduino Mini ($2-10), Nordic BLE modules ($5-20), and ESP8266 WiFi modules ($5), demonstrating the accessibility of components for personal health monitoring systems.

• Participants analyzed technical aspects of glucose monitoring systems, including transmission frequencies and methods, showing continued interest in advancing wearable health technologies beyond failed commercial attempts like GlucoWatch.

• The community evaluated digital fabrication tools like the Cirqoid PCB prototyping machine and affordable Chinese laser cutters ($400-600), weighing the tradeoffs between expensive commercial equipment and more cost-effective DIY alternatives for hackerspaces.