> So to be in hireable territory, would I need to write the driver libraries for those cards, or just prove I can read the manual and interface with them? mainly companies hire IQ and problem solvers. writing drivers is a great ambition, and can make you wealthy as a contractor, but maybe just interface with REFERENCE DESIGN hardware layouts and of course writing firmware is harder than most driver writing anyways. just be a good problem solver and smile in interview, and speak confidently and show SOME arrogance if needed. get a pile of cool stuff built. > Board didn't work in the end and I realised I had taken waaaaay too much on you are ambitious and that story of failure can help you win a job if it is portrayed as an earlier effort. better are stories of failures you overcame and solved eventually.