I've always admired people who could create complicated electronic products out of second-hand parts. For example, my brother thinks there's nothing quite as much fun as picking up some abandoned computer parts at the local electronics junk store and turning them into a system that works as well -- or better -- than your typical top-of-the-line server. That's why an otherwise run-of-the-mill news item about a guy who used a $10 wok as a substitute for a $20,000 commercial satellite dish made me smile.Many of us have a tendency to go with the "name brand" whenever we buy anything -- from a pair of running shoes to a microwave to the latest quad-core Xeon-based server. And, for the most part, it's a smart way to go -- a name brand usually implies a certain level of quality control, and the assurance that if the product turns out to be a dud, you can return it and get either a replacement or your money back.

But sometimes it's not a bad thing to remember that doing it yourself -- whether you're concocting a satellite dish or a Linux system -- can offer a level of customization that can't be found in products built for general use (not to mention it's usually a lot less expensive). A manually-built item not only gives you exactly what you want, but it helps you learn what makes that particular technology tick. And there's no denying the sense of satisfaction that you get from creating something that is as good, or better, than one that is commercially manufactured.

Of course, "making your own" can sometimes be interpreted in ways that are not as productive. For example, there is an ongoing battle these days between students and other computer users who want to make their own video and audio playlists without any interference (even when it involves copyrighted material), and companies such as the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which wants to prevent that particular type of creativity, even when it's on an individual scale. Stay tuned for further developments.