There are many things I enjoy that I can’t actually do. I don’t think I could write without a computer — I’m too sloppy. The one time I tried to lay out a PCB by hand in the old days, my boss threatened to fire me if I did it again, but with a computer its easy.

One of my interests is CPU design. I have two processors I work on from time to time. One is kind of a classic 16-bit mini architecture and the other is a very novel 32 bit design that I’ll talk about some day. But I don’t think I could actually wire up a whole CPU from scratch. The fact that I can describe my circuits and push them onto an FPGA fabric makes it possible.

Apparently, that’s not true of everyone. I’ve posted links before to relay computers and discrete computers. Here’s a blog detailing a CPU builder’s journey: http://www.stevechamberlin.com/cpu/

Some people might ask, Why? But I know that if you have to ask, you wouldn’t understand the answer.

Good luck Steve!