GERBER format

You should post this as bug instead (all feature requests are handled as bugs).
But this is far from inkscape's scope. Furthermore, in SVG there is no standard for storing electric elements' information (but not impossible). This would mean a lot of work and should be created as different project, but not as inkscape export handler, but Electronic Circout CAD program, which could make a use of cairo (library for inkscape) and SVG (open graphics format).
There already are some OSS electronics programs available: kicad, geda and probably more.

I would also mention Oregano.

Andrei, if the question was answered, please consider closing it. Otherwise let us know what wasn't answered ;-)

This is really a very cool notion.

I build a lot of electrostatic devices and currently the only way that I can get my weird pcb designs converted into gerber format is by sending a dxf file to a prep-shop, and having them do the conversion for me.

The only software that I know of that does this conversion is $5,000.

It's true that if you are doing standard circuit board design using standardized electronic components, there are a bunch of great opensource tools that you can use to do your design and layout and get a gerber file in the end. But if you are doing some thing non-standard (as I always seem to be doing) there is no opensource path that am aware of.

I can say without a doubt that if inkscape was able to export gerber files, I would use that feature *all the time*!!! and to great effect!

That said, I suspect that the number of folks who are looking for a path to gerber from a vector file is quite small (and extremely dorky!)

B