Over the years I've accumulated a pile of dev/reference boards. In my world you eventually have to migrate to application specific hardware. This is where it

Over the years I've accumulated a pile of dev/reference boards. In my world you eventually have to migrate to application specific hardware. This is where it quickly leaves the home/hobby domain, the tools get more expensive and the required knowledge-base expands. I am mostly talking about the challenges of high speed design. The minute you get into the hundreds of MHz and into GHz and thousand pin devices you've entered a domain that is far away from what casual hackers can handle. Yet, I do agree with you. Today, free compilers from Xilinx and Altera support devices that ten years ago required their multi-thousand dollar suites. Free or low-cost PCB design tools are out there. All of this of course, comes with compromises. Free simulation tools don't compare to paid tools. Free and low cost EDA software packages don't have all the tools you really need to efficiently manage high speed design of complex boards with larger devices. Signal integrity alone has dedicated (and very expensive) tools that you almost can't do without in certain domains. None of this is to say that it is impossible for someone to play with the technology but it certainly ain't like playing with software.