28-pin 32Kx8 SRAMs with 10ns access time from chip-select cost $0.85 in modest quantity last time I ordered them, BTW.

I know that this (time is money) does not apply fully to hobbyists, but I would think that any sensible person would apply it to some extent even to spare time.

If we take this thread as an example and assume that Richard just provided the solution Thomas has spent 44 hours to save $0.85 coming out to about 2 cents per hour.

If his free time is worth only that little I really feel sorry for him.

In "real life" where the cost of having an employee is much more than the salary it does not take long to figure out that components for development are - for all practical purposes - free.

Erik