Where did you learn electronics?

[AlexBanich]

Well like Irving hinted I don't have the time for a class considering I got a 1yr old and a wickedly messed up work schedule. Oh and did I forget that I live in middle of nowhere hickville USA where they don't really offer those kinds of things. I like the PICkits but is there maybe some simulation software that I could get my hands on? As far as my knowledge base I'm pretty good with computers as I took courses in college and have stripped and rebuilt a few. As far as my main interest I'm the type who gets interested in something and just wants to know all about it. I've been interested in programing and electronics for some time. I've read a number of electrical engineering books but I'd like to start getting my hands dirty, but don't want to be buying pieces and just randomly putting stuff together.

When I started working with CNC equipment I got Nanjing-Swansoft CNC Simulator and played with it. It was a little difficult since i had to make/find programs to load for different things. I had to go and get CAD CAMS so I ended up with Solidworks/Solidcam, MasterCAM, Rhino and AutoCAD/AutoDesk. I like computer sims because they're easily managed. Don't have to worry about it getting broke and the like.

So I'm basically just randomly exploring my curiousity :D

[irving2008]

... I like computer sims because they're easily managed. Don't have to worry about it getting broke and the like.

So I'm basically just randomly exploring my curiousity :D

If you like simulations go look for and download the free student edition of 5Spice... try www.5Spice.com and/or www.winspice.com. Its an electronics simulation package that will allow you to build and test many electronic circuits 'virtually'. There are 100's of Spice tutorials on the web as well...