A simple guide to electronic components.
Why Hacker News recommends it
Suggested as a gentle starting point for beginners in electronics.
What it is
Big Clive gives a 38-minute beginner's guide to identifying common electronic components and what they do. He keeps the maths minimal and aims to fill gaps for people just starting out.
Recommended by 2 HN commenters across 2 different months, 2018 to 2022.
What Hacker News said
Recommends therein · 2018-11 · on “The Potentiometer Handbook (1975) [pdf]”
EEVblog or mikeselectricstuff might have videos like that as far as I remember. I know bigclivedotcom does for sure. [this video]
Recommends recuter · 2022-04 · on “Electronics Explained: Fundamentals for engineers, technicians and makers (2018)”
This is very good but before throwing people off the deep end I'd suggest this overview (origin of the dx7 & fm synthesis): [LINK] And then some bigclivedotcom to get going: [this video] EEVblog for intermediate beginner stuff / home gamer lab gear: [LINK] And finally some Marco Reps for advanced beginners: [LINK] Just to dip your toe in.
Cites rft · 2022-11 · on “Converting a WW2-Era Engine Cowl Flaps Indicator into a USB Peripheral”
I fully agree with the sibling comment to just buy a starter kit and start screwing around. I would add that the cost of failure is very low, so do not be afraid to experiment. At least for me this is the best way to learn. Worst case you fry the Arduino and need to order another one (or just order two or three spares so you don't need to wait, once you get going you might/will find uses for them). I have mostly fried LEDs, because I forgot to limit their current (fancy way of saying: put a resistor in series, ballpark 300-1000 Ohm should be fine). Every time you break a component, try to figure out what went wrong so you slowly learn what not to do, but you also understand why you should no