Don't Turn It On, Don't Take It Apart
Dave Jones of EEV Blog and Chris Gammell of Contextual Electronics discuss the complexities of open-source hardware, specifically regarding Jones's new professional test equipment product and the tension between community expectations and manufacturer concerns. They analyze why engineers join startups like Ubeam despite knowing the technology is flawed, citing the allure of working with smart people and cool tech. The conversation also covers the practical challenges of using modules versus building from scratch, the pitfalls of CAD software ecosystems like KiCad and Altium, and the importance of complexity as a defensive moat against cloning.