Wait, are we talking about the sockets themselves or how they're put in? I've had hot-swap boards last years with no issues. Maybe the problem isn't the socket idea, but some cheap brands using flimsy parts. A good solder job is solid, but a well-made hot-swap socket installed right shouldn't just die like that. It feels like blaming the whole idea for one bad experience.

DRYING it out COMPLETELY fixed my signal problem.

Is this really some big life lesson though? I get what you're saying about playing what you own, but hollycooper comparing it to streaming and kitchen gadgets feels like overthinking it. Sometimes a new game is just fun to buy and try, it doesn't have to be a whole thing about focus. My group still buys a new game once in a while and we enjoy our old ones too, it's not one or the other.

My buddy learned the hard way, right @derek_butler81?

Next step could be partnering with a coworking space for weekday meetups.