User:Swy5105
PSU sophomore in Section 001 of the fall semester RepRap class.
Blog Two:
1. At this point, with the current RepRap technology, I'm not sure the idea of a self-replicating universal constructor is entirely feasible. With the challenges of having to print long rods as well as electronic pieces, it seems more research, development, and tweaking is needed.
2. To Bowyer, wealth without money is about being able to print and produce your own goods without relying on mass industrial production, an idea I'm fully in support of, and putting the means of production in the hands of the working class without bloodshed another idea I support. However, I don't think the wealth of RepRap is limited to what one physically produces with it. I think there's some satisfaction in and of itself of designing something to be used and then actually creating it and being able to propagate that idea. Wealth, then, isn't just about what you physically produce, but the satisfaction you derive from it and the ideas you're able to share with the world.
3. While I hate to go down a dark path with this after reading such an optimistic earnest article, after reading a link a friend sent me about some of the more dangerous uses of 3D printing, it's all I can think of. While I definitely hope RepRap and its cousins become more common (and less expensive), I can't help but feel that the Maker community at large may become subject to some monitoring and scrutiny. Given that there is now a group dedicated to printing their own weapons (however unfeasible that may currently be), I can't imagine things will always go unregulated --- a fact that's pretty sad, as it will likely mean a change in the shared IP mentality of the community as it stands now.
Blog One:
1. Useful
If you're not a fan of drinking straight from a public fountain, being able to carry a folding cup around's always a nice option. It's also far more eco-friendly than paper cups, and a good deal easier to carry around.
I thought the dragon's detailing here was really cool; I can't imagine how long it took to do. I also really like that it's not just built as a stationary piece of awesome statuary, but as a moving toy. It seems like you could so some really cool Rube Goldberg-ian things with the automata concept. Or, alternatively, awesome mini Rube Goldberg models.
It's a constant 'critical miss!' While it obviously wouldn't fool anyone as a real weighted die, it would still be a funny gag gift to a serious D&D player, assuming that person has a sense of humor, of course.
4. Funny
I'm just really amused by the idea of someone sitting on a plane with something like this. The image is just funny to me. I can't imagine trying to hold up my phone with my jaw for 90-120 minutes. Ouch!
5.Weird
Unless it's Halloween or you're a super gung ho chiropractor, there is no reason this candle holder should ever be one your table.
