techshop.ws could not create a sustainable business model and is gone
all the us locations are closed
was sad to hear about this because a lot of people were able to access equipment that they just would not have otherwise
also over 3000 vets had used techshop
the website is gone and only has a single pdf which is interesting to read
they had a good run
if there is one near you there is probably going to be a lot of equipment up for sale soon
they filed chapter 7 which means it is completely over and no chance for more funding or anything else
there is an email address to send inquiries to for buying equipment or any other assets
there were some overseas techshops but they were managed and financed independently and they are still in operation
wonder what they did that was different
You mean, other than change the term from "hobbyist" to "maker"?
IOW, why do hobby-shops not have "open source" workshops. Lowe's? Home Depot? Cuz there's NO $$$$ in it!! DUH!
Jes cuz a buncha 'greedy bastids' thought stupid millennials would fall for a simple name change (they did), doesn't mean millennials aren't also cheap. Seen many mils paying monthly membership in a health clubs (say it fast, five times). ;)
nb
Not sure you meant there to be a question mark at the end of the last sentence but there are a fair number of millennials at the gym I go to. It's the most expensive one around, too. Millenials are at least as vane as boomers were.
I'm so happy for you! Are you a "maker", also?
Jus saying that your comment about millennials is nonsense.
I don't know what a "maker" is, in this context. I'm a boomer, if that tells you anything.
They might come out of chapter and re-organize. Might never happen and might never be wanted. Politics and taxes and insurance are out of hand.
Mart> On 2017-11-18, snipped-for-privacy@notreal.com wrote: >
Likewise.
"Maker culture".....
....is what we "boomers" usta call "DIY'ers" or "hobbyists". Greedy jerks gave it a different name soley to capitalize on the new term.
I have a "Maker" electronics book to make/learn electronics. It's a "spend lotsa $$$$" approach to learning electronics and teaches almost nothing, but I foolishly spent $30 to discover that fact. See the recent closure of "open-source" tech shops? They also called them "Maker" shops.
"Makers" go to "Maker" fairs, write "Maker" books. sell "Maker" junk, etc. It's all jes a scam. ;)
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Any opinions on this one (being a 4th edition, it seems to have been around a while). I recently added it to my "wish list".
I'm open to alternatives.
Bill
Bill wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@news6.newsguy.com:
I wasn't too fond of it. It's much too bulky to be a good reference and too referency to be much of anything else.
Puckdropper
There are soooo many websites teaching electronics, you jes hafta find one you like. Even the entire Navy electronics course is on the net. To pay anyone to learn electronics is a fools game.
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Yeah, I got that but don't understand what it has to do with the price of oats in China.
OK, home maintenance and woodworking, I guess I'm a "maker". Electronics, not so much (working electronics design engineer for >40 years).
Oh, like woodworking and gun shows[*]? Sure (been a while though). ;-)
[*] And dragged kicking and screaming to craft shows
It looks an awful lot like the "Electronics for Scientists" text that was popular when I was an undergrad 40-some years back. That text had enough to get you interested but not enough to actually do anything.
The kids today seem to get a Raspberry Pi and futz with it and if the bug bites then they grow from there, if it doesn't then they've got a nice, cheap, low-powered spare computer.
Don't overlook YouTube--there's a lot more there than you might expect--even course content from MIT.
unfortunately they filed chapter 7
so no chance for more funding or any recovery
still have not heard why the overseas techshops are still operating
perhaps deeper pockets or better business acumen or maybe just more members
As a matter of coincidence, since Youtube noticed I was interested a couple of weeks ago, they have been offering me a steady diet. The last video I watched discussed the divergence of the technologies (parts) used by product manufacturers, versus that used by hobbyists, since the
70's say. Basically, robots aren't good at assembling the traditional components that have wires and prefer "flat" components (my words) without long pins. As a results, hobbyists can't quite get the same technology as manufacturers have without being willing to learn to use the flat (and very small) technology, which is much more cumbersome, especially for beginners.So far, my biggest accomplishment is learning to use (induction) coils, diodes (rectifier?) and a capacitor to convert ac current into direct current (all designed and implemented in a YouTube video!) :) I actually made induction coils (for "shock" value) following instructions from a book ("The Boy Electrician") when I was in 8th grade. I downloaded the book online, just out of sentimental value/curiosity, a few years ago.
There is also a higher mountain of learning needed for many "reasonable" (what do you want that you can't buy cheaply) projects. That's why the Arduino, and such, are popular. Much of the infrastructure is done.
Ham radio has been pretty much killed by the Internet, too, though it was already going downhill well before.
And Breaker! Breaker! has been replaced with Ok Google. ;-)
Yet, that kid (James Kim) who died --and tested and reported on all the latest high-tech communications hand helds-- and almost lost his family, up in OR, mighta survived if he knew some old school morse code (CW) and hadda basic QRP rig.
I'm no ham, but I always wondered about that. QRP is essentially "low pwr" (under 5W), and using CW, can easily reach out with a minor antenna.
If I've learned anything --much like touch-typing-- learn Morse code while yer young. ;)
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