15 Dec
2008
15 Dec
'08
5:13 p.m.
On 15 Dec 2008 at 3:15, Dave McGuire wrote:
In that time, the electronic parts inventories of
my two local RS
stores has more than doubled. They've inked some sort of an
agreement with Parallax, Inc. and are now selling their stuff,
including Basic Stamps and various sensors and robotics goodies. Not
all stores stock all of this stuff, but I've seen bits and pieces of
it at several of them.
Is this a local phenomenon? I certainly don't see any sign of it on
the RS website. While the local store offered some great bargains
10-15 years ago while it was trashing its inventory of components (as
in, "How about 10 bucks for the whole box of stuff there in the
corner?"), I see no improvement at all.
Periodically (the local store is near where I shop for groceries),
I'll go in and wander to the rear of the store to where what passes
for components are sold and try to see what could be built with what
is in stock. I can still make a linear PSU, as the store has some
power transformers, diodes and voltage regulators (LM317, 7812, 7805)
and capacitors. I could also probably build a small audio amplifier
and a few other analog projects.
I don't see the Parallax uCs on the RS web site, however.
I miss the "bubble pack" wrapping for components, particularly
connectors. The local store now keeps many connectors in small
drawers that staff seems to reserve the right to browse in. And
prices for the same have gone up substantially.
I miss the "grap bag" assortments that RS used to offer of
semiconductors. Most of the time, the stuff contained therein was
pretty ordinary, but the occasional bit of exotica could be found.
Just like playing the lottery.
It wouldn't hurt one bit if we could get the young 'uns interested in
low-level electronic tinkering once again. Radio Shack used to be a
good source for that stuff, but it seems, no longer.
Cheers,
Chuck