[thomasjsn]

Thank you :)

I think for people willing to put in the time — things have certainly become much easier. I started with AVR microcontrollers about 20 years ago, and couldn't even dream of accomplishing things I am easily able to to today. Raspberry Pi, Arduino; have changed the scene for sure.

But at the same time; maybe there is less inventive for someone to really dig into something, as you say: with soldering iron in hand. As so much is available as a product or service already.

My first "serious" soldering was a few PCB kits :)