alt Hacker NewsI have a tiny business that makes a gadget for musicians: Think something like an effects pedal. I publish my schematics, have shared PCB files, and even offer to give you some of the parts that are hard to get. A few people have built their own, and share their results in web forum threads about my product.
Very few people have taken the bait. I think we techies over-estimate the ability and inclination of people to make something. Even most programmers don’t want to solder. They may still be technically inclined, but want to be involved at a higher level: Buying the basic stuff and using it as a basis for even more elaborate things.
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If you offered me schematics and PCB designs for a tool I desired, I might be /more/ inclined to give you money just to support you. Nothing to do with my ability or interest in DIY (I also design and sell electronics).
> I think we techies over-estimate the ability and inclination of people to make something.
If you replace 'we techies' with 'most folks' (and especially with 'folks who didn't do a thing with their hands in thei$ lives') nothing would change.
>I think we techies over-estimate the ability and inclination of people to make something.
But that was never the worry. The worry is a competitor undercutting you because they do not have to recoup R&D.
I love learning from and building that type of thing (plus have some musician friends who can never have too many gadgets). Would you be willing to share a link?
Note: if you don’t want to create a link to yourself, you could also email me at <my username>0_AT_protonmail_._com