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I echo this experience. Also, thumbing through the catalog, you built a mental library of parts, so you could visualize an idea for a circuit or gadget. Same wi
by analog31 2y ago
I echo this experience. Also, thumbing through the catalog, you built a mental library of parts, so you could visualize an idea for a circuit or gadget. Same with "reading" the IC databooks.
A drawback was that the Radio Shack catalog was curated, and therefore, outdated. That's where Digi-Key and others (RS Electronics, McMaster-Carr) were eye-opening.
Today the Digi-Key catalog would be a foot thick.
- seoulbigchris 2y ago> Also, thumbing through the catalog, you built a mental library of parts, so you could visualize an idea for a circuit or gadget. I can completely relate to this. Even decades later, I can remember seeing a particular part in the catalog, and even roughly what section it was in. But I don't know how to search for it using the online tools.
- analog31 2y agoI often start with plain old Google, and I might try an AI chatbot these days. You need something to grab onto, and the electronics-specific tools won't tell you unless you already know. Google often provides a decent search into Mouser or Digi-Key if you include those names in the search phrase. Once you find a "close" part, then you can see what category the supplier has put it into, and then you've probably cracked it. Oddly enough, this week I found a part I was looking for at the WalMart website, and it had a picture with a part number, which enabled me to find it at the more mainstream suppliers.
- fragmede 2y agoRight. Google and Octopart are great if you already know what you want, but for "I want a thingy that does...", ChatGPT is quite useful.
- HeyLaughingBoy 2y ago> Today the Digi-Key catalog would be a foot thick At least. The last one I remember them sending me about 10 years ago was already almost 3" thick.