What is/are decent resources to learn about electronics, like capacitors, resistors, etc.? I am looking for stuff more elementary in nature (preferably not complex textbooks).
The internet is a great place to learn about electronics.
Here for example, is a site about schematics:
https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/how-to-read-a-schematic
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I have found the Electronics Club very useful over a period of a few years.
Sorry, I can't recommend any good websites... I studied electronics a long time ago...
What is/are decent resources to learn about electronics,
Like anything else, the BEST way to learn is to take classes. Books are 2nd, and then there's the Internet.
The thing about the Internet is... There's all the information you'd ever need but it's not organized or structured for learning "big subjects" like electronics... Plus, you have to be self-motivated... There's enough information on the Internet to become a brain surgeon, but I've never heard of a doctor that didn't go to medical school. (OK... There are some related legal issues, but most professionals have gone to school.)
DVDdoug:
There's enough information on the Internet to become a
That's become a big problem with teaching hasn't it. Quite a few school/uni projects end up in forums like this one, and it seems to me that often no teaching was done, judging by the wording of some questions. (I know, it can also be that the student wasn't listening, and/or cba to do the work.) It's too easy for a teacher to say "well the answers are out there, find them". It's true: the answers ARE all out there, but firstly it's the teachers' duty to structure the learning (while not making it too easy ) and secondly, a neophyte by the very nature of being ignorant, can't judge the worth of what she reads.
Hence I guess, the OP's question: s/he's happy to do the learning, just needs some guiding.
Grab one of those "101 projects" books. Something that comes with a box of parts which can be assembled into a number of projects. (The number should be between 5 and 20). It starts out simple with just a battery, resistor and LED, then moves on to sound effects generators and other fun things.
I find it so much easier to learn with the parts in front of me. Of course I blow a few of them up, but learning how to purchase a replacement is one of the things you must learn.
Then purchase a kit which does something you actually need. A doorbell or headphone amplifier or whatever. It comes with all the parts and detailed assembly instructions. Buy another kit.
As you progress through more advanced kits, you will start collecting more tools. A multimeter, a soldering iron, spare wires, leftover components from previous kits. Eventually you will build up a complete electronics workshop and the knowledge for how to use all that stuff.
MorganS:
you will start collecting more tools. A multimeter,
Although I'd suggest getting a meter before or at the same time as you buy any components.
I'm not in the USA and don't know where OP is, but I've seen that Harbor Freight often has meters for free or very cheap with a coupon. (Not sure of details.)