in this thread post how hive13 has benefited you.
for me i have gotten a great deal of confidence working with
electronics and power tools.
this weekend i built a stand for the monitors on my computer desk
using some cabinet feet from ikea and an old shelf i had in the
basement. it was the first time i had ever drilled my own starter
holes, which i learned to do on the drill press at the hive.
what has the hive helped you learn to do?
Where do I begin…
I started at the hive with really only a software security background and was looking to the hive as a type of 2600 hangout. I ended up getting much more than that. I learned about electronics, components, arduinos, etc. I then went on to build a small locking PIN code concept that used an ever changing pin. I called this lock PoC the Zen Pin (http://wiki.hive13.org/ZenPin_PoC) It worked and that really got me over the initial ‘scared to try electronics’ hurdle.
I took what I learned there plus some classes and help from hive members to understand PCB design, etc. I then built a drinking game that I later turned into an open hardware product that people can buy. And to my surprise people do! That was a lot of fun to make the DrinkShield add-on for arduino boards (http://www.gfxhax.com/drinkshield/)
Later I learned how to use the makerbot to print out 3d shapes. I used this knowledge along with the arduino stuff to build my first robot: Mr. Plow. A mini-sumobot for the LVL1 competitions. http://wiki.hive13.org/Sumobot
I’ve also learned about mame arcade cabinets, woodworking… just tons of stuff. As a volunteer CFO I’ve learned a lot about non-profit finances and how non-profits run as well.
I’m sure I could come up with even more stuff but I think this email is long enough as is 
Craig
yeah, i forgot to mention soldering. my mintyboost is a real
conversation starter 
also, being better able to follow discussions and articles about
electronics is a real benefit.
Let's see here...
It's exposed me to some very interesting people and creations by way
of classes, workshops, and trips. I doubt I'd ever have seen a circuit-
bending show or made it to Detroit Maker Faire on my own; I doubt I'd
even have heard of those things on my own.
It provided the resources to set up a Kerrighed computing cluster,
which helped me realize that I really didn't have much to do on a
cluster, though they're cool.
It also provided the resources to make an attempt at a scanning
panoramic camera. This completely failed to work properly, but it was
a learning experience. Projects such as my cyanotypes or my alcohol
concoctions are a result of having a space where I can make those
things.