Decision to open source the camera board
I've long benefited from open source projects. In fact, I started a company over a decade ago based on open source hardware. If I remember correctly, the exact Arduino board I used in the prototype was an Arduino Duemilanove.
I got this board back when it was the newest thing in open source electronics. I even included a Raspberry Pi 2 when it came out in 2015. Even dabbled in some BeagleBone. So, it's safe to say, that much of my knowledge today is due to these endeavors.
With Qualcomm acquiring Arduino and the subsequent release of the UNO Q, there has been much unease of the state of Arduino and its relationship to the open source community. I won't go into speculations here, but I can say it did play a part in my decision.
More of the inspiration (and comfort) in open sourcing my hardware came from Adafruit.
Remembering Adafruit
I can't count the number of times I've bought from Adafruit (and Sparkfun). Their sensor breakout boards and various accessories were always finding their way to my mailbox. And, all of their hardware schematics and board layouts are directly on their website and GitHub. Free to copy.
Yet, I never offered a competing product.
What they provided was the ability to copy designs into your own projects. These breakout boards served as references. References I could use to build out custom boards, even if I didn't fully understand every component on the board. However, because these boards existed, I did eventually understand these circuit designs.
Sometimes these reference designs failed me in my application. Certain resistor and capacitor choices just didn't match up to my design. Yet, they served as a way to learn about what was correct.
RevLmt
Remembering Adafruit helped me make my choice. I want to provide the same reference to others for their designs and growing journey. Even if competitors try to copy, at least I know that others will make use of what I've put out there.
A small contribution. A contribution, nonetheless.
Note: my GitHub handle is RevLmt. I am still trying to figure out branding for this store and blog.