i think u and tpetar both are right by ur thought but when i m learner i used my own board.
and from that i can understand the values of hardware problem as well as software problem.
in that case learner has suffered a lot but his or her knowledge must be increased.
so i suggest u to develop ur own board.
u cn know the value of hardware part from that.
u understand the real properties and features of different parts like resistor,capacitor,regulators,different ICs,etc...