Hello Again.
Like I was saying, I played with the free OpenSCAD program a bit and to get basic feel for the code. I am a Digital Tech for a major Telco Co. I can learn the code if needed. There looks like several variations that appear to all get sliced down to Gcode so the printers can read it, if I am getting it right.
  I also read of some that are less code intensive with better GUI's.

Hello MiamiMayhem, welcome to the forum!

So it works like this: you create the 3D model in OpenSCAD or Sketchup or Blender or Tinkercad or FreeCAD or other, you export it as STL. Then you run a "slicer" (probably the most common is Slic3r) that takes the STL file and cuts it in thin horizontal layers, and then produces the GCODE, which is just plain text that describes exactly what movements the printer head should do (move to XYZ, extrude some filament...).

For the modeling part, OpenSCAD is basically a programming language, there are many CAD programs that have more or less intuitive GUIs (see above for a list). To start playing around with a very simplified interface, I suggest you sign up for Tinkercad, at the moment the free package is still quite feature-rich.

I don't think much is going to change in the next few weeks. Regarding what printer to buy, it depends on what you want to do. I think the Solidoodle is a good compromise to start. You can get going quite quickly and the investment is not huge. Plus you plenty of possibilities to gradually improve it with custom mods. There are other printers which have higher quality (Makerbot, Ultimaker) but at. of course, a higher price. If you want highest precision, but at a higher running cost as well, you can look into sterelithography (the Form1 from formlabs).

I suggest in any case you buy an assembled printer as you are still new to the field. If you buy a kit, it is hard to know how things are supposed to be without having a reference.

It depends how big the objects you want to scan are. For larger models, a Kinect is the easiest solution. If you don't want to invest in hardware, you can try 123D catch software from Autodesk. For small objects, there are various solutions using line lasers and cameras. There are a few kickstarter projects around, or you can build your own.

  I have a couple grand set aside. Not that I would not like to keep a chunk for the inevitable extras and unforeseen expenses.
  So what code to use and what printer to buy? New, used , Ebay or a DIY kit?
If I wait a couple weeks is there a new and improved great deal on the horizon?

I want in. What to do? Fire away.

P.S. What about 3D scanners/