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Last modified: December 20, 2004
These are various neat places on the web that I find useful, fascinating or fun. A short opinionated description follows each one to give you an idea of what you can expect to find there. Click on the green titles and be transported away from here to there. Where is there? Just position (don't click) your mouse icon over the green titles and look on the bottom of your browser, it will tell you the actual www. address. If you like what you see, mark it for the future (like I'm sure you've already marked this site... forgot already? You're at www.pixelpal.com ). The following links are listed in no particular order.
- Multi-timezone Clock The best clock I've found is World Time. Totally customizable, with auto synchronization for one computer or a network, maps, distance measuring on the globe, and special timers & time calculators. Great software which works on Win 95/98, NT4 and Windows 2000. The price is a slight disappointment when compared to the other mediocre clock software out there. IT'S FREE! Yup, while it's worth as much, or more than, most clock software which only has a fraction of its utility, this one is apparently a labor of love. There's also a neat conversion calculator, Versaverter, at this site.
- Don Lancaster's Guru's Lair This site is the home of one of the best educators of technology and clear thinkers I've ever run across. Don wrote the legendary TTL Cookbook, the C-MOS Cookbook, the Cheap Video Cookbook (I have the original printings from 1974--), and numerous other paperbacks which helped many in the 70's (like me) understand and enjoy digital electronics. He's also written hundreds of magazine articles and numerous construction projects. The best things I've learned from him over the years is that many seemingly complex things can be simply and easily explained if broken down to the root pieces, and that it is an acquired talent to communicate ideas to others. Many of his interests are eclectic and not electronic. When visiting his site, be sure to explore at least 20-30 pages and links. Be aware that he's got some particularly strong opinions about patents (I agree) and Adobe Postscript (I disagree). Enjoy the many offerings at this site and buy one of his books. Despite his stature, Don will answer e-mail, publishes his phone number, and talks to you when you call. Amazing!
Click on the image to go to Nova Graphics' web site
- Nova Graphics Paintings and prints out of this world! Literally. You don't have to be an astronomer or astronaut to appreciate these beautiful, affordable, limited prints, posters, postcards and calendars (even though some were created by them). I first met Kim Poor, the space artist, while shopping at a mall in Scottsdale, Arizona over15 years ago. He had what looked like giant, framed NASA photographs of the Space Shuttle and some of the planets in his tiny booth at the mall's "sidewalk" art show. I was walking away, when it hit me that it was impossible to place a camera to get the perspective of these "photos". I went back to tell the fellow in the booth that he bought a bunch of fake photos. Kim explained the he was showing his original prints, not photos. Not until he showed me the original painting, was I convinced. Well, in the ensuing years he was the founding member of the space artist association, one of the first "glasnost" ambassadors to the USSR, and founder of Nova Graphics. Enjoy the pictures at the site, read the bios of the painters, and respect the copyrights. Yes, I own a number of limited edition prints and one original oil of Kim's.
- Bob Pease & National Semiconductor Bob is a unique fellow. He's been around amplifiers and linear circuits since they glowed and gave off lots of heat (vacuum tubes to you younger Americans, or electron valves to the rest of you youngsters). He developed some of the classic Op-Amps we all know. This site has some neat info which you can't find anywhere else about analog circuit and component intricacies. Bob writes a column for Electronic Design (Penton www.penton.com). Few people know as much about analog amplifier design as Bob. He's got a great, practical, common sense approach and a semi-crusty personality which allows him to dispel some "new age" mystical engineering practices (i.e. "fuzzy logic", the "Toguchi Method"). While you're here, check out National Semiconductor's site. This is how it should be done! Stuff is easy to find, has full tech sheets to download, actual PRICING (so you know what the thing costs for design budgeting!), easy to sample and easy to order in small quantities (through Digi Key). I might mention that National bought Comlinear, another favorite of mine, a number of years ago. Comlinear has the best data sheets for high frequency Op Amps, period. No funny measurements, and all necessary info (complete with performance curves) lets you evaluate the suitability and performance of their products before you bread-board your circuit (things I can't say about Elantec, Maxim, or some others). National also was essentially responsible for saving Lattice Semiconductor by buying a license for its programmable C-MOS GALs. Lattice was nearly forced out of business by a predatory lawsuit from AMD's newly acquired MMI (Monolithic Memories Inc) who "owned" the bi-polar programmable logic IC market with its PAL line. PALs were rapidly becoming obsolete due to low speed, high power and poor programming yields. MMI never could develop a line of C-MOS programmable logic ICs, so it decided to sue the newer C-MOS competitor out of business, until National stepped in.
- The Dilbert Zone Scott Adams' Comic strip of the day and other assorted Dilbert stuff. NOTE: DO NOT GO HERE if you work in a cubicle, are in a technical job, or work at a large company UNLESS you are in a mellow mood. Otherwise the absurdities harpooned can be painful and instead of producing a moment of mirth, you'll get an uncomfortable wince. Check out the "lists".
- High Frequency Design Info This site has some neat tables and other useful bits of information relating to the high frequency design.
- Find Electronic Parts and Manufacturers This is the multi-volume site for EEM (Electronic Engineers Master) on line. For local distributors check out the Local Sources sister site.
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