New to These Parts

Hello, everyone! I stumbled into 3D printing by drooling over a Robo 3D that a friend had set up. Just a couple weeks ago I got a call that he'd bought another for $200 that needed some tweaking, and wondered if I'd like to buy it from him. This seemed like a reasonable way into 3D printing - I knew I'd have to mess around quite a bit, but I'd be earning my chops, and you can't beat the price.

So after quite a bit of internetting and fussing - remember, I still don't even know what half the gewgaws and thingies are called - I was able to send a message to the printer and have it respond with the following ridiculous glob:



...and, as HORRIBLE as this is, I'm still utterly - almost babyishly - thrilled! I have only up to go from here. I'm hoping to get some good advice from all y'all, and it's nice to meet you.