Electronics, How to understand them, and build stuff. Options

[LogicprObe]

A few years ago I used the DSE books, did some of the basic kits, didn't need a multimeter. I'm no electronics technician, but at least now I understand what a capacitor is and what a diode is.

I've also been electrocuted 8 times so far - I'm a little worried about the next one in case I'm a cat.

People only ever get electrocuted once, it's always fatal. :p

I'm shocked.

[Achillesjg]

Le sigh! Yes how the mighty have fallen. From supplying the cheapest components and fun kits to selling the shittiest Chinese consumer crap they can screw the price down on :( If I was Dick I'd be embarrased to have my name plastered all over them.

Tell me about it. Trying to convince consumers that the $100 Sony DVD player is infinitely better than the $39 DSE/Yum Cha model is nigh on impossible. They keep lining up to buy them, though.

[aliali]

check out Adafruit Industries

awsome little electronics and microprocessor projects in there

start with the kits/projects and work your way up, even just grabbing a beginners kit and soldering away, you'll be amazed at how practical application makes all those things you didnt understand about the theory suddenly fall into place.

http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_pag...products_id=194

Sooooo tempted.

I posted this in the Green Room thread but worth repeating
http://members.iinet.net.au/~worcom/
has lots of odd things as well as common components. Worth checking out.

[smadge1]

Is that some sort of death clock?

[GlennsPref]

No!

[LogicprObe]

check out Adafruit Industries

awsome little electronics and microprocessor projects in there

start with the kits/projects and work your way up, even just grabbing a beginners kit and soldering away, you'll be amazed at how practical application makes all those things you didnt understand about the theory suddenly fall into place.

http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_pag...products_id=194

Sooooo tempted.

I posted this in the Green Room thread but worth repeating
http://members.iinet.net.au/~worcom/
has lots of odd things as well as common components. Worth checking out.

Pretty blue.....and only seventy bucks!

[Linux_Inside V2]

Le sigh! Yes how the mighty have fallen. From supplying the cheapest components and fun kits to selling the shittiest Chinese consumer crap they can screw the price down on :( If I was Dick I'd be embarrased to have my name plastered all over them.

Tell me about it. Trying to convince consumers that the $100 Sony DVD player is infinitely better than the $39 DSE/Yum Cha model is nigh on impossible. They keep lining up to buy them, though.

What's better about a Sony DVD player over a Yum Cha model that people are gonna care about?

They're both gonna fail within a few years anyway, sony has never managed to make an optical drive that doesn't have a short MTBF

[LogicprObe]

The Sony's were better when they were made in Japan........but they haven't been for years now.

[GlennsPref]

That's the sad part, they still produce products, but don't hold your breath contacting them!

[spaced]

The Sony's were better when they were made in Japan........but they haven't been for years now.

Yum cha is usually a better option because they don't care about what file formats you want to play. Just plays it all.

[LogicprObe]

The Sony's were better when they were made in Japan........but they haven't been for years now.

Yum cha is usually a better option because they don't care about what file formats you want to play. Just plays it all.

The Sony may well have a better PSU and processor chip but unless you can access the specs online, you can't tell untill you open them up.
(or watch them side by side)

[GlennsPref]

Hi, sorry to dig this up again, but....

If your interested in doing some home study, I have just come across a web site that has not been mentioned here.

You still need a breadboard and "stuff", but check out these online (downloadable) tutorials for teachers and students.

http://www.ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/electricCircuits/

and (an associated page)

http://openbookproject.net//books/socratic/index.html

these include gif's simulations and questions for practice.

and yes it's oss, and works with both GNU/Linux and win.

I am checking out the xcircuit program, and that's how I found it.

Cheers, and all the best. Glenn