A service to buy/sell custom hardware projects?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of creating a marketplace for buying and selling custom hardware projects, including blueprints and instructions. Participants explore the challenges and potential of such a market within the context of hobbyist electronics and DIY culture.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses curiosity about the lack of a market for selling custom hardware projects and suggests the idea of a 'hacker creations market' for buying and selling these items.
  • Concerns are raised about the high costs of custom solutions compared to mass-produced items, which may deter buyers from purchasing unique creations.
  • Another participant notes that many hobbyists may not want to monetize their projects, viewing hacking as a leisure activity rather than a business opportunity.
  • Quality assurance is identified as a significant challenge, with suggestions for a rating system and clear expectations for creators and buyers.
  • A participant mentions existing resources like the magazine "Make" and "Maker Fairs" that align with the idea of sharing DIY projects.
  • There are references to books available that provide instructions for building various electronic projects, indicating a market for instructional content.
  • Regulatory issues are highlighted, noting that selling electronics commercially requires compliance with safety and health regulations, which can be costly and complex.
  • Another participant shares experiences of websites that allow users to sell project plans rather than physical products, suggesting this as a viable alternative.
  • A mention of a platform for bidding on electronics projects indicates existing models for freelance work in the electronics field.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the viability of a marketplace for custom hardware projects, with no clear consensus on whether it would be successful or how to address the identified challenges.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss various limitations such as regulatory compliance, the cost of quality assurance, and the cultural attitudes towards monetizing hobbies, which may affect the feasibility of a marketplace.

KiwiKid
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I find it more than a little curious that so many people - including me, if I may say so - build cool, actually practical toys, yet I virtually never hear of people selling these (or blueprints/instructions on how to make them, etc.) to others. Thus, the idea of creating a 'hacker* creations market' (or something like that. It's not as if I've got it all worked out) popped into my head: a place where people can buy (maybe request) and sell hacks, creations and blueprints.

The problems I see with such a market are these:
- Custom solutions are more expensive than products made by people at an assembly line. Thus, hackers would need to demand quite a bit of money for a single solution, which buyers may not be willing to pay.
- Hacking is a hobby. People don't want to try to make money with their hobbies.
- Quality assurance would be difficult.

I think the first problem is avoidable/solvable, and the second problem is only a general sentiment few people actually care about (if you can make money with your hobby, I suspect most - not all - would take it). But, hey, I've been known to be wrong from time to time. I don't know how to solve the third problem, but at first thought I think a 'rating' system and a strict set of rules of what you can expect from the creator/buyer would be best.

Do you have any thoughts on this? Do you think it's possible? Would you or hackers you know like and use such a service?

* I use the word 'hack' and 'hacker' loosely to mean someone who builds interesting things. Things a la hackaday - not breaking into computers.
 
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KiwiKid said:
I find it more than a little curious that so many people - including me, if I may say so - build cool, actually practical toys, yet I virtually never hear of people selling these (or blueprints/instructions on how to make them, etc.) to others. Thus, the idea of creating a 'hacker* creations market' (or something like that. It's not as if I've got it all worked out) popped into my head: a place where people can buy (maybe request) and sell hacks, creations and blueprints.

The problems I see with such a market are these:
- Custom solutions are more expensive than products made by people at an assembly line. Thus, hackers would need to demand quite a bit of money for a single solution, which buyers may not be willing to pay.
- Hacking is a hobby. People don't want to try to make money with their hobbies.
- Quality assurance would be difficult.

I think the first problem is avoidable/solvable, and the second problem is only a general sentiment few people actually care about (if you can make money with your hobby, I suspect most - not all - would take it). But, hey, I've been known to be wrong from time to time. I don't know how to solve the third problem, but at first thought I think a 'rating' system and a strict set of rules of what you can expect from the creator/buyer would be best.

Do you have any thoughts on this? Do you think it's possible? Would you or hackers you know like and use such a service?

* I use the word 'hack' and 'hacker' loosely to mean someone who builds interesting things. Things a la hackaday - not breaking into computers.

Yes, the words "hack" and "hackers" have negative connotations in many circles. I've changed your thread title to substitute the word "projects" for "hacks" to avoid the negative connotations.

Are you aware of the magazine "Make" and the associated "Maker Fairs"? I think that is somewhat along the lines of what you are asking about:

http://makezine.com/

.
 
There's a lot of books on amazon with "How to.." build your own speakers, amps, etc. There's even some book called 100 hacks or evil genius projects, and they give the designs for different electronics projects.
 
Part of the problem is that there are certain regulations that kick in once you start selling electronics on a commerical basis, you basically need to be able to present documentation saying that your gadget conforms to regulations XYX (EMC, health&safety if there are high voltages or currents involved); and getting the neccesary tests done can be very expensive.
Note that the need for addtional testing was one reason why the Raspberry PI was delayed.
 
Over the years I have found a number of web-sites that display cool projects that the owner of the site has done. A certain amount of money is made by selling the plans to those projects. Much better in my opinion than selling the actual hardware.
 

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