[Add to or Correct This Page]

Shopping!

We listed example part numbers from Jameco (first) and Radio Shack (usually has a dash). They are roughly in the order of importance.

Expendables

• [Microcontroller]
• Breadboard 20722 276-174 6" board
• DC power supply 170245 273-1667 5-9V DC and (12V, 1000mA) (3-12V, 800mA) 700-1500mA
• LEDs, Green 34761
• LEDs, Red 94511 276-307
• LEDs, Yellow 34825 276-351
• 220 Ohm resistors, 30470 271-1313 1/4 watt
• 1K Ohm resistors, 29663 217-1321 1/4 watt
• 9-pin D-sub female 15780 276-1538
• USB-to-serial adaptor Keyspan USA19HS 26-183 If you don't have a rs232 port
• Relays Digi-Key 306-1034-ND 275-232 120V AC reed relays or solid state relays.
• NPN Transistors, 38236 276-2009 type 2N2222
• Transistors¡ª 32993 276-2068 TIP120 Darlington
• Headers 103376
• Project box 18905 270-1809
• Standoffs 133604 276-195 For mounting your board to your box.
• Screws for standoffs, 106809 276-195 size #4-40, 1/2"
• Power supply 159610 274-1577 2.1mm x 5.5mm connector male
• 5V DC voltage regulator 51262 276-1770A
• Clock crystals, 4Mhz 14592 n/a This is for PIC users only.

Tools

• Soldering iron 146595 640-2802 or 640-2078 For example, Weller model WLC 100.
• Solder 141794 Digi-Key 640-0013 Use lead-free when possible. KE1351-ND
• Multimeter 220812 22-810 If you get an inexpensive one that can read voltage, resistance, and continuity
• Wire, 22AWG Black: 36791 Red:278-1215 Blue: 36767 Mixed:276-173 colors. Green: 36821 Red: 36855 Yellow: 36919
• Flat needle-nose 35473 64-2803/A
• Wire stripper 159290 64-2803/A To strip 22-30 AWG.
• Diagonal wire 161411 64-2803/A Get a reasonably small one.cutter
• Mini-vise 127167 n/a One option for holding parts to solder.
• Helping Hands 26690 n/a Another option for holding parts to solder.
• Miniature Screwdriver 127271 640-2803
• Drill and drill bits
• Hot glue gun 72696 and 78633
• Toolbox
• Cable ties 145701 278-1720
• Electrical tape 640-2375
• Alligator clips 278-1157

Parts Catalogs

• Jameco (this is my favorate) http://www.jameco.com/"
• Digi-Keyhttp://www.digikey.com/"
• Mouser Electronics http://www.mouser.com/"
• Newark Electronics http://www.newark.com
• SuperCircuits for micro video http://www.supercircuits.com/"
• Edmund Scientific expensive scientific stuff http://www.edmundscientific.com/"
• Home Automation Systems X10 http://www.smarthome.com/"
• Small Parts mechanical http://www.smallparts.com/"
• Mcmaster Awesome for non electronic parts http://www.mcmaster.com

Magazines

• http://www.circuitcellar.com Circuit Cellar
• http://www.nutsvolts.com Nuts and Volts Magazine

Surplus Catalogs

• http://www.allcorp.com/" All Electronics 1800 826-5432
• http://www.alltronics.com/" Alltronics 408 943-9773
• http://www.herbach.com/" H&R Herbach and Rademan 215 788-5583
• http://www.sciplus.com/" American Science & Surplus
• http://www.aaaim.com/CandH/index.htm" C and H Sales
• http://www.servosystems.com/">Servo Systems 800 922-1103
• http://www.resunltd4u.com/" Resources Un-Ltd 603 668-2499
• http://www.goldmine-elec.com/" GoldMine Electonics
• http://www.amazing1.com/" Amazing Products
• http://www.halted.com/" HSC
• http://www.robotstore.com/" Robot Store
• http://www.hosfelt.com/" Hosfelt
• http://www.mpja.com/" Marlin P. Jones

Software

• Cycling ¡¯74Cycling74 http://www.cycling74.com --very easy to use for physical computing
• Macromedia http://www.macromedia.com --big power and ease of use (and price)
• Processing http://www.processing.org --training wheels for java

Extentions

• Amit Pitaru http://www..amitpitaru.com Sonia, an extension to Processing that allows for playback and manipulation of sound, and control of live sound input.
• David Rokeby http://www.interlog.com/~drokeby/softVNS.html Very Nervous System, a video tracking system for Max/MSP.
• Eric Singer http://www.ericsinger.com Cyclops, a video tracking system for Max/MSP,
• Physical Bits http://www.physicalbits.com Serial Xtra for Director MX, and a number of useful xtrasXtras for Director
• Smoothware Design http://www.smoothware.com Xtras for Macromedia¡¯s Director MX including TrackThemColors, a video tracking Xtra.
• SoftSynth http://www.softsynth.com JSyn libraries for java.
• Tellme Networks, Inc. http://www.tellme.com voice menu software for automated calling systems.
• TroikaTronix http://www.troikatronix.com software for live performance
• Miller Puckette http://www-crca.ucsd.edu/~msp/software.html max extensions
• ASCI http://www.as-ci.net/asFFTXtra/ asFFT Xtra for director

Hardware

• 3M http://www.3M.com
• ABACOM http://www.abacom-tech.com They make RF-to-serial modules.
• Acroname http://www.acroname.comGreat for sensors and motors.
• AEI Components http://www.aeicomp.com LCD¡¯s, cameras, DVD players, and other video accessories.
• Allegro Micro http://www.allegromicro.com They make motor drivers, shift registers, ics
• All Electronics http://www.allcorp.com Great surplus stuff.
• Analog Devices http://www.analog.com accelerometers, digital potentiometers,
• Ascension Tech http://www.ascension-tech.com motion trackers
• Black Box http://www.blackbox.com protocol converter boxes of all kinds.
• Cermetek http://www.cermetek.com modem ICs and other network interface ICs.
• Color Kinetics http://www.colorkinetics.com LED-based spotlights and architectural lighting.
• D-Link http://www.dlink.com converters
• Decade Engineeering http://www.decadenet.com text overlay boards for analog video.
• Earth LCD http://store.earthlcd.com LCD panels of all sizes and shapes.
• Edirol http://www.edirol.com video mixers
• Electronic Goldmine http://www.goldmine-elec.com good surplus
• Elm Electronics http://www.elmelectronics.com cControl-L to RS-232 converter.
• Elo TouchSystems http://www.elotouch.com touch screens.
• Elwire-Wire http://www.elwire.com electroluminescent wire and drivers.
• Ferretronics http://www.ferrettronics.com motor control chips
• Findchips.com http://www.findchips.com search by a part number including links to data sheets.
• Focus Enhancements http://www.focusinfo.com video converters, projectors, video mixers,
• Happ Controls http://www.happcontrols.com devices for vending machines and arcade games.
• Highly Electric http://www.highly.com photoelectric switches
• IBVA Technologies http://www.ibva.com brainwave sensors.
• Images SI, Inc.orporated http://www.imagesco.com good for insteresting sensors.
• Infusion Systems http:// www.infusionsystems.com Cube system and sensors
• Interlink Electronics http://www.interlinkelec.com FSRs
• Kits R Us http://www.kitsrus.com inexpensive PIC programmers.
• Kopin http://www.kopin.com small LCDs.
• Lantronix http://www.lantronix.com serial-to-eEthernet
• LED Effects http://www.ledeffects.com super bright LEDs and LED products.
• Lemos International http://www.lemosint.com RF modules, GPS modules, Bluetooth modules.
• Linx Technologies http://www.linxtechnologies.com RF modules
• Mark of the Unicorn http://www.motu.com synthesizers, keyboards, and MIDI gear.
• Marlon P. Jones Associates http://www.mpja.com surplus electronics
• Maxim http://www.maxim-ic.com TTL-to-RS-232 converters, and much more ics.
• Micromint http://www.micromint.com embedded controllers, phone line interfaces,
• Nexus Controls http://www.nexuscontrols.com serially controlled switchers for analog video.
• Oncore http://www.oncore.com GPS products
• Polhemus http://www.polhemus.com motion trackers
• Quadravox http://www.quadravox.com MP3 modules and other sound record and playback devices.
• Quantum Technologies http://www.qprox.com capacitive touch sensor ICs.
• Rentron http://www.rentron.com RF modules, IR modules
• Rose Brand Fabrics http://www.rosebrand.com fabrics for stage work
• Scott Edwards Electronics http://www.seetron.com motor control modules,simple-to-use LCD [H3]*SkyetekSkyeTek http://www.skyetek.com RFID products
• Smarthome Home http://www.smarthome.com home automation including X10 interfaces.
• Solarbotics http://www.solarbotics.com motors, small sensors, solar cells,
• Spark Fun http://www.sparkfun.com GPS modules, sensors, PIC programmers, and tools.
• Super Bright LEDs http://www.suberbrightledssuperbrightleds.com super bright LEDs
• Symbol Technologies http://www.symbol.com RFID products, barcode scanners,
• Tapeswitch http://www.tapeswitch.com inexpensive floor switches, in rolls.
• Texas Advanced Optoelectronic Solutions http://www.taosinc.com light sensors
• VIA Technologies, Inc. http://www.via.com.tw single- board computers
• Vicon http://www.vicon.com motion capture systems
• Winbond Electronics http://www.winbond-usa.com record and playback devices and chips
• Xecom, Inc. http://www.xecom.com phone line interface modules.

Books

• [Physical Computing] O'Sullivan and Igoe
• Practical Electronics for Inventors by Paul Scherz
• The Art of Electronics Horowitz and Hill

[Add to or Correct This Page]|[Yes, this is a Wiki]