Generally one does not start learning chemical engineering in one's garage with what's to hand. But people can and do start learning on their bedroom computers

Generally one does not start learning chemical engineering in one's garage with what's to hand. But people can and do start learning on their bedroom computers, and it's to be encouraged. Such self-taught people can make very valuable contributions, especially when they engage with the wider community. Locking them and their output out "because engineering" is likely to be massively counterproductive. Like as not, software is different.