Greetings, programs! (Sticky)

Welcome to my “great experiment!”

Normally there isn't anything special about another DIY electronics site, as there are thousands of such sites already on the net, some maybe even better than this one (!).  This under-appreciated fact alone gives me ample reason not to waste my time or yours with just another "me-too" site, but I think this site does have a bit of a different perspective.  And what might that be, you ask? (or maybe you don't ask...but here comes the answer anyway, because I don’t have the “Mind Reader v2.0” add-in compatible with Firefox v4.0.1.)

Initially I intended to build a site in the usual web-sitey sort of way, with emphasis on imparting “wisdom from on high,” that is, from the webmaster (I love the sound of that word…web mah-ster!  "Take that, Doctor!").  Fortunately for you, loyal readers (you're still reading, aren't you?) I realized there was a lot more such wisdom in other people’s heads than was usually to be found in my own, and that if I actually had any wisdom, I should construct this blog (group? forum?) in a way that recognizes this reality.

A post may begin with an idea I have, but it will become more than that.  I intend to serve as a conduit of insight from you on to anyone who is interested.  This will happen not only by way of the usual comment threads accompanying each post, but also by incorporating content into each concept thread as it unfolds, in real time, keeping the discussion fresh (no one likes stale discussion anyway), and including things you email to me directly (unless you request otherwise in your email).

Perhaps most important is what makes this site not necessarily well-suited for the average "DIY-er."  You won't find ready-to-build projects here.  (A site like Elliot Sound Products is an excellent place to find such projects, however.)  These "projects" are more precisely concepts or ideas, or starting-points for what might evolve into a project in my hands, yours, or, even better, both.  This site is for those who want more to understand why something works than simply how to build it.  This person usually finds that he or she then gets ideas about how a circuit might be made more functional, or more reliable, or higher-performing, or better in countless other ways.

If this describes you, you've come to the right place.  You know where the "bookmark" menu is.  ;o)

In order to emphasize input and interaction between reader and writer, I’m using the ubiquitous "weblog" format in a somewhat un-ubiquitous way in order to encourage more of that precious wisdom to flow from you out to everyone else who comes this way.

And I'll depend on you a good deal to correct any mistakes and point out more elegant solutions to problems that might crop up.

I am very optimistic about this "great experiment," and I look forward to having a great time with all of you.