I love this concept of hanging out with coffee. I am currently in a coffee shop while reviewing this coffee hangout blog. I just got done ordering a design of mine through shapeways just to see what they can do. (aside from billing people). As I am reading through these blogs, I am seeing I am not the only one who is looking for time better spent. I love the experimental mentality here on this site. I bought a makerbot a few years ago thinking, "oh, I'll just print something." While that was true for designs that already existed digitally, for those that didn't, it was an experience in ignorance. the UM and its community seems like a great way to chip away at that. Also, in the spirit of cooperation and recognition, the Prusa3D is your closest competition. Thanks for the stories. I'll share mine soon. (too close to tell just yet)
