I am continuing my attempt to self-educate myself at electronics by working through Charles Platt's book Make: Electronics: Learning Through Discovery, 2nd Edition.I'm currently working on an oscillator circuit. I was going to take a picture of my actual breadboard with the circuit on it, but this representational diagram from the book is a lot cleaner:The … [Read more...] about The Mystery Of the Oscillator That Didn’t
On Heroic Op-Eds From Disobedient Employees
If I declare myself to be Emperor of the United States, it's safe to say not much would come of it. Just because I say I'm in charge doesn't mean I'm actually in charge. To be in charge, you have to have people willing to follow you, and I don't have a lot of people who want to be my minions.(Yes, I know I wouldn't be the first Emperor of the United States. God rest Emperor … [Read more...] about On Heroic Op-Eds From Disobedient Employees
Jack Marshall Watch 2018-09-03
In Monday's roundup, Jack quotes with approval Steven Mintz complaining about incivility: Civility is about more than just politeness. It is about disagreeing without disrespect, seeking common ground as a starting point for dialogue about differences, listening past one’s preconceptions, and teaching others to do the same. Indeed, “civility represents a long tradition of … [Read more...] about Jack Marshall Watch 2018-09-03
Some (Very) Basic Electronics
In an attempt at self-improvement, I'm trying to teach myself some basic electronics.I was fascinated by electronics when I was a kid. I remember my parents had given me a Science Fair electronics kit, which was a shallow wooden box that had electronic components mounted inside, with spring terminals wired to each of the leads. You could wire components together by bending … [Read more...] about Some (Very) Basic Electronics
Jack Marshall Watch 2018-08-27
Jack begins the week by replaying his pointless security clearance complaints: Meanwhile, the many former intelligence officers that signed a letter of protest against the President’s pulling of Brennan’s security clearance have nicely made Trump’s point. Leave the government, lose security clearance. Employ an expedited procedure to restore it if an individual is again … [Read more...] about Jack Marshall Watch 2018-08-27