I worked it, good money in computer repair from twenty years ago, till five years ago, now I say buy a new one. I never wanted to design them, but nothing beats the use.
I like staying almost up to date, a few years behind is cheap, but I watch for developments that fit what I do.
Lots has changed since my younger years, but not Science, Mechanics, they still work the same. It gives background to keep going, I may not design, or program, but I can replace an EPROM, and figure out that is what is needed.
I see a plateau since good Laserjets, 2002, Windows XP, where function has little left to reach for, but application has a long way to go. It is tremendous power for cheap, and it fits my recluse life.
The old 386 chip made CNC, laser engravers, cutters, and next generation is going for a Startrek Replicator. The screen is replacing books, newspapers, magazines, and small shops. The web brings the world's best to me, and lets me market to the world.
How I survived without Goggle, Wiki, I wonder.
Next step, personalized lifetime education, and web hunting personal assistants.
Concept and Content are the human part that will last. Robotic factories running lights out production work for me, I never wanted a factory job, but can use my designs made up by the hundreds, or thousands, on demand.
I don't have to adapt to this change, I have been reading science fiction since the fifties. I am usually ten years ahead of what is possible.
It is a new world.