To master the art of electronics, it's important for you to learn the basics. I'm talking Ohms Law, serial and parallel discrete components, and simple signal sources. This might seem self-evident, but since the introduction of the increasingly popular microcontrollers and standard sensors and effectors, it's possible to create electronic devices without ever touching a capacitor or resistor.
Several months ago, an idea popped into my head for a fun project. I wondered if I could burn some characters into the yellow paint of a No. 2 pencil with one of those powerful diode lasers available on eBay. Perhaps it could be my name or my grandkid's names, or even a happy birthday message to my lovely wife. Here's how I did it.
HOW TO BASICS: INTRO TO HEATSINK SELECTING AND INSTALLATION
I examined the almost perfect circle surrounding a stylized "M" (for Motorola) that was branded into the end of my index finger after touching the case of a power transistor to see if it was "warm." This was my introduction to "heatsink selection for power semiconductors" I received as a young experimenter building a power supply — a lesson I have not forgotten several decades after the event.
Those 8 x 8 matrix displays are good for more than just making scrolling signs. With a little imagination and a whole lot of extra time on your hands, you can actually use them to create simple yet amazing little action games.
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