I'd love for an Industry professional section with intros much like ours, but for what their company offers. Never really needed it as a small shop since I couldn't meet MOQs very often but in my new position, I'm always looking for new/different things to try. Best-way-to-contact info would be great since some companies are stellar about emails but suck at phone calls, etc.
I have never participated in one, but the open-source/collaborative design idea has always intrigued me. Bringing a half dozen interested minds together on a single creation...still not sure the ins and outs of them or if they're a waste of time or not.
Open source CAD files for learning are awesome too. I learn a lot from studying CAD files of products that I know as a finished good too, since I'm fairly new to the computerized design side of things.
i am also trying to figure out the simplest way to make a small back pack.
And oldie but goodie for pack making:
http://gearmaker.org/index.php?topic=510.0