Who the hell wants to solder their own trackball? Equivalent products exist at roughly the same price point, fully assembled and tested with a warranty.
Who the hell wants to solder their own trackball? Equivalent products exist at roughly the same price point, fully assembled and tested with a warranty.
I would never buy a kit that required soldering, because I'm terrible at it. But I like putting things together. I've assembled a couple of DIY keyboards, and I bought a Framework 12 laptop. It doesn't take too long (Framework estimated 15 minutes, but it was more like 45, because I am slow and methodical), and I like knowing what's inside it. The transition from “box of components” to “working system” always thrills me. And, though the repairability of a trackball is not a big issue, it's nice to know that what you put together can be taken apart, for example, to replace an SSD in a laptop.
Same.
I get it doesn’t appeal to you. Why do you think it shouldn’t appeal to anyone?
Because there is nothing to be learned or gained from it. This isn't a Heath Kit from 1975. Electronics are fully integrated components now. You're paying for an experience. Typically DIY implies a cost-savings.
It's like going to one of those restaurants where you have to cook your own steak at the table and realizing part-way through wtf am I doing?
Do you also get upset when people buy Lego sets, model airplanes, or jigsaw puzzles? It's the same thing.
And FWIW, it's the exactly same reason most people were buying DIY electronics kits in '70s, '80s, and '90s.
> It's like going to one of those restaurants where you have to cook your own steak at the table and realizing part-way through wtf am I doing?
And yet, people keep going to these restaurants.
Perhaps it's just that people find enjoyment in different ways than you.
Me