This 100% I’m the computer person in my social circles, and my head sometimes starts to hurt from reading less than ideal documentation. Granted those are usually for pretty involved stuff, but it’s pretty frustrating spending hours to chew through and not getting an answer after all.

I’d imagine it’s worse for people whose PC is not a hobby but a tool. You shouldn’t need to spend a lot of time and effort on a tool just to get it working right. That might be fine for a used bargain tool, but you don’t replace like half the world’s OS’s with a used bargain tool. That’s not what people want or need.

In Germany, and by extension the EU, we have a website called “geizhals”, which basically translates to “penny-pincher”.

It is an insanly good tool to find the specific item you’re looking for and where to buy it for the least amount of money. Its got a pretty robust search, and some of the most comprehensive filters I’ve ever seen. When I cant find what I’m looking for using Amazons search, which is nearly always, I use their site instead.

Only real downside (for me) is when stuff isn’t listed on there. They probably collect data and stuff, but they also provide a useful service in return.

While writing this I have also noticed that they offer the same thing called “skintflint” for the UK. Maybe something similar exists for ppl. in the U.S. ?

Well, they’d only need enough batteries to cover the distance without overhead lines. So for shortish sections it’s probably fine, just charge while on the powered section.