Hej!
Long time reader, first time caller. Actually when I saw this post, I couldn't help buy post a response. Personally I think it's a great idea, as you surf the web, reading blogs, there is, inevitably, a comment to a post "why isn't there an OpenSource X?". And, there is no reason why there can't be! It seems Dave's popularity is growing and a legion of experts find themselves following (remember the experts arguing over the CRO probe interference?), so there is the talent out ther to achieve this.
While I appreciate the Jaycar kits, etc (I remember Dick Smith Funway had a Multimeter kit somewhere in the pages of time) I do feel GeekGirl is on the money when we say we should aim our sites a little higher. A good piece of test equipment is essential, and there is no more piece of kit more fundamental than a good meter (why is it Dave reviews 'em so often, and seems to get so riled up when they aint up to spec?).
As a beginner, not only out of this project will you get a good meter, but you should also, out of following the design, get an appreciation out of good design practices, electronic theory etc.
As a professional, you will be able to give back to the community that we all love, and pass on that knowledge that our mentors and experieces has given us.
Me, personally, have been out of the electronics game for a LONG time! Seemed there was a shortage of software guys when I needed a job... so I am longing to get back into electronics scene (which is why i hang around these dark corners of web), and am always looking for a project to help and learn from. I am open to helping design any part, though, at this stage, i will confess my ability to design acurate meaurement circuits is not the best, so I will be interested to see what others come up with.
As a comunity project, my personal feeling is that we should be as modular as possible, not only will this make design easier, as each part can be designed and tested independently, but it will also allow switching of various modules. For example, not confident enough to get a 50,000 count circuit running and don't need the accuracy? No problems, drop in a lower speced module. Can't get part XYZ? Easy, design one around what you can get. etc, etc, etc. So I guess the first stage we need to be looking at is some block diagrams....
Looking forward to this, should be fun!