What is the Main Deterrent to Participation?

I'd like to add something. I've seen a few people talk about lack of confidence, maybe I'm not the right person, maybe there are better people, etc. I'm an author, I've written (in my name) two technical books; one on ARM processors, and one on Arduino. During a job interview, one person was so impressed that I wrote two book (that sell relatively well), that he called me "world class". I'm not. If I've learned anything by writing books, it is that there is always someone better than me, and often not the way I would expect. I'm not the best. So, if I can write two books, then you can roadtest. No, really. The only magic here is passion, the only factor is curiosity. This is an excellent way to get your hands on some cool stuff, and to have fun while you are at it (and maybe get your name out there too).

As for some comments on hardware, be careful of what you need. For my Arduino book, I put all my hardware away, and used a 20€ multimeter, bought in a supermarket, some low-end power supplies, and that's it. That's all I needed.

Remember, the selling point is the idea for the test, not the hardware or the knowledge. That's my weakness, people always come up with better ideas Now go, enroll, and have fun.

I'd like to add something. I've seen a few people talk about lack of confidence, maybe I'm not the right person, maybe there are better people, etc. I'm an author, I've written (in my name) two technical books; one on ARM processors, and one on Arduino. During a job interview, one person was so impressed that I wrote two book (that sell relatively well), that he called me "world class". I'm not. If I've learned anything by writing books, it is that there is always someone better than me, and often not the way I would expect. I'm not the best. So, if I can write two books, then you can roadtest. No, really. The only magic here is passion, the only factor is curiosity. This is an excellent way to get your hands on some cool stuff, and to have fun while you are at it (and maybe get your name out there too).

As for some comments on hardware, be careful of what you need. For my Arduino book, I put all my hardware away, and used a 20€ multimeter, bought in a supermarket, some low-end power supplies, and that's it. That's all I needed.

Remember, the selling point is the idea for the test, not the hardware or the knowledge. That's my weakness, people always come up with better ideas Now go, enroll, and have fun.

Great points. I like the passion point, hopefully it encourages more members.

To your ideas point, I definitely find it difficult to come up with unique ideas for road tests when it is an instrument - these things are designed to perform a specific function, but if this is what you propose to blog about, it will be exactly the same as everyone else.