Getting free samples was always part generosity and part social engineering, even 30 years ago, before everyone in tech got an arduino. I'm fully aware of a company's expectations in giving away samples - even as a kid 30 years ago, but that doesn't mean a determined person can't still get free samples. The game hasn't really changed much. I'm just saying that the previous commenter's idea that it's expensive to get into electronics as a hobby is not exactly true.