[asciilifeform]

As a programmer and avid electronics hobbyist, I have a theory which explains some of the appeal, at least to me personally.

Hardware, unlike modern software, actually behaves logically and rewards learning and the construction of consistent mental models. When a circuit malfunctions, there is always a solid physical reason for it. It is because you, the builder, screwed up. An understanding of the physics involved will be rewarded by reality cooperating and the lights blinking merrily. As opposed to software, where most of your work consists of routing around other people's idiocy, and where any results you achieve might spontaneously erase themselves any day as the upgrade cycles churn onward.

[pbz]

Unless you deal with very basic circuitry you have to, at some point, use some else's "idiocy." Same with software, if all you do is build console Hello Worlds, well, that's pretty rock solid. As far as the reward system, that's different for everybody; each with his own.

[edw519]

"...where most of your work consists of routing around other people's idiocy..."

-1 for bad attitude

+2 for a good laugh

+1 net score

Thanks