hardwareling

Hardwareling is a term used primarily in online maker and electronics communities to refer to a person who builds, modifies, or repairs hardware components or to a small hardware device itself. In practice, a hardwareling can be a hobbyist, student, or professional focused on tangible hardware rather than software.

The word is a blend of hardware and the diminutive or associative suffix -ling. Its origin is informal and uncertain, with usage documented in blogs, forums, and project-focused communities from the 2010s onward. It is not an official technical term and is often used self-referentially or humorously.

Common activities for hardwarelings include prototyping with microcontrollers and single-board computers, PCB design, soldering, circuit debugging, hardware hacking, repair, and equipment salvage. They work across fields such as consumer electronics, robotics, wearables, IoT, and embedded systems. Projects are frequently shared in open formats and repositories.

In community contexts, hardwarelings are valued for practical tinkering and hands-on problem solving, but there are cautions about safety, especially when dealing with mains voltage, battery packs, or salvaged components. Naming conventions can reflect identity, but the term remains informal and variably embraced.

See also: maker movement, hardware hacking, electronics hobbyist, prototyping.