Test me!

Hi eveyrone,

I'm not at all sure that electronics is for me. If I'm wasting my time I need to know now, before I waste any more. Can you guys help me out? Set me some questions to answer on the *whole range* of the subject, judge my responses and tell me straight if I'm no good. You'll be helping me if youre truthful. I can take it. I have my doubts about my abilities in this area. I'm good at other stuff so if I'm crap at this, I'll have something else to turn to. Don't feel awkward about telling me so. I just need an objective evlaluation of wether it's worthwhile my conintuing with this hobby or not.

Tnks!

Steve

That's a decision you should make on your own. Nobody on a news group knows you well enough personally to judge your abilities. If you: like to take things apart, learn how things work, and/or enjoy solving problems, I think you'd do well.

Mike

I think he wants to hear some arguments for choosing electronics as a hobby.

Here are a few: It is cheap compared to other hobbies, and it is getting cheaper all the time, because the components are developed and advanced features become available at very low prices.

Like, 15 years ago I could buy a Z80 cpu for 10 dollars, today I can by a thousand times faster processors for similar amounts.

Other hobbies usually get more and more expensive year after year.

Electronics is a very interesting hobby, you can continue to learn all life, because there is a lot to discover. You have use for knowledge of electronics everywhere in our modern world. Every time you need to connect or upgrade your computer you will know what you are doing compared to other computer users.

It doesn't take much space, especially if you use modern surface mount components. The working space you need is a table and a chair.

Electronics is also used in many other hobbies, like radio controlled models, radio amateurs, experiments in biology or chemistry often need electronic interfaces, sound electronics and music, model railroads, car and motorcycle electronics, computers, etc..

So electronics can be a bridge to other hobbies, and other people.

It gives a better understanding of electronic devices, which is very valuable in the world we live in today, and in the future.

Subject is just too vast to be tested on. People who've spent a lifetime career in it will readily admit to not knowing it all. It's big enough to become skilled in a small area without even knowing what's going on elsewhere.

I've noticed though, one common factor seems shared by the electronics careerists, enthusiasts, hobbyists, or whatever, and that's a continuing need to 'Chase the Dragon'. Essentially they're Junkies. Pretty much been that way since kids. Always on the lookout for the next intellectual high or buzz, based on some kind of control of the natural world. Starts out with taking clocks apart and sticking fingers in mains outlets. Can end up with designing obscenely complex control sytems or demise due to major hit from errant Tesla lightning bolt.

The kid just putting a crystal set together can know what that special buzz means. Once experienced it's not easy to ignore or forget. If you've not yet had a full blown high or even a hint of one then it's honestly not worth putting further effort in. Other pastures out there abound.

The subject's attraction/downside is that it is *not* simple. The reward is that the quality of the numerous intellectual highs/hits can exceed that of many illegal substances. So you've just had some great sex, rolled over, lit a fag (UK only!) and start musing about that neat diode linearising arrangement. You're an hour late for a night out with the lads because you just *had* to see what bandwidth that amp was giving.

It creeps up and becomes a bit of an addiction. It's not easy to just say 'no'. "Yeah, so I do a bit of phase, so what, I can handle it. I can easily pack it in".

If you do know these things are not within your nature then the choice not to pursue the subject is easy!.

regards john

That's the key right there Steve; this isn't really something that can be tackled objectively because nobody but you knows whether you love it or not. The closest thing to objective generic hobby advice I know of is this; if it's a _passion_ with you, you won't be able to _not_ do it. You will simply keep looking until you find ways to understand what you need to know to do it.

You will also have to accept that you have limitations; if you can't handle say calculus or Boolean logic, then you just can't. There are still very large horizons within the total domain of electronics for you to play in.

If it's essential to some other passion, like say building movie prop duplicates with blinking lights and sound effects, you may have to force yourself a little bit, but not much.

So ask yourself "Why did I get into this in the first place?". If the answer is strictly a rational one like "It paid the bills", your time and effort may be better spent elsewhere.

Mark L. Fergerson