Learning Hardware as a Software Geek?

digitalvengeance asks: "I'm a long-time software geek with very little experience on the hardware side. I've configured servers and built various desktops for friends and family, but I'd like to move to the next level. I assume I need to purchase a breadboard to begin tinkering, but is there a particular kit I will find more useful than others? What books, sites, or other resources can the hardware geeks recommend for a software geek wanting to learn the basics of electronics and hardware?"

Comments

I think you need a project first....

[GrpA]

Otherwise you might as well leave your objectives at soldering.... Choose something you actually want to do with hardware and progress down that path.

The objective you choose will define the path you need to take.

I started with wanting to build a Joystick interface for Sinclair Spectrums back in the mid-eighties. So then I went out and got books on microprocessor interfacing and spectrum architecture. The learning was simply a natural process then.

There is plenty of fun hardware stuff you can do. Hack a cheap 2 channel radio control into a 10 channel monster with a mini PC in charge ! Build a set of servo's to control a camera remotely ! But choose something you actually wanted to do, or you will just waste your time doing stuff that seems pointless.

I'd second the suggestion of getting some Forrest Mimms stuff. The books seem kind of basic, but they are good... I used to keep them in my reference library way back when I was employed as a serious R&D Engineer as a quick reference to some stuff I was uncomfortable with.... (I was mainly digital, and only sometimes dabbled in analogue).

Also, the Electronics Cookbook is a more serious text that is very useful. Especially if you start to get into more powerful circuits or RF.

After that, you'll need more specific texts that relate to what you are doing.

And as every great hardware hacker knows, if you have a need, the knowledge will slowly present itself. It's the one fixed law of the universe.

David.