OSS in hardware (was:Re: [nzlug] OSS in Nz schools)

[cr]

On Monday 05 February 2007 10:22, Vik Olliver wrote:
> On Sun, 2007-02-04 at 20:54 +1300, cr wrote:
> > Whatever happened to the idea of 'number 8 wire' - the idea that a
> > good practical Kiwi could fix anything he owned?   Back in the
> > seventies and eighties, it would have seemed almost inconceivable to
> > us that an average guy could own a car and not be able to fix it if it
> > broke down - at least for minor faults like a blown head gasket.   And
> > I guess the idea of having a home computer and not being able to
> > program it would have seemed equally strange (or, in fact, pointless).
>
> Those days will come back. First, the current commercial system of
> centralised manufacturing coupled with "branding" and consumer lock-in
> need to be dealt to. I'm working on it. The second RepRap prototype just
> fabricated its first object. http://reprap.blogspot.com

Ummm.   Very interesting.   Why does it make me think of the Coffee 
HOWTO?    ;)

What isn't entirely evident from your blog is what it does.   "a project to 
create an open-source self-copying 3D printer."    "Open source" I get of 
course, it uses Linux for the control program.   The 'self-copying 3D 
printer' bit I'm not sure of - I assume it's not going to completely 
replicate and assemble copies of itself and take over the world like the 
machines in 'Terminator'?   <g>
(After all, Linus did once say his aim was 'world domination'  :)

Would I be correct in assuming it makes most of the components and you then 
assemble them?

cr