I just got my Arduino for Christmas and I'd like to know what kind of parts I should consider picking up to get started. It was a gift so I didn't request the starter kit. What would you guys recommend picking up to get comfortable with the Arduino while I get the parts I need for my first real project?
Thanks!
One thing I found useful was to get the "Sparkle Labs DIY Electronics Kit" -- it has a little project book, a selection of jumpers, basic components, transistors, power regulators, etc., colorful LEDs, buttons, a breadboard, and all that stuff at once. The book is a bit cartoony but it gives useful primer to each component. It's sold through the Make Shed e-store, as well as other places. Then you can branch out to whatever you find useful. http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/06/sparkle_labs_diy_electron.html
If you have an electronics component shop locally (not Radio Shack), they might have starter grab bags that serve the same purpose. Velleman has some assortment packs of each type of component, but those are fairly expensive to get started (you don't need 200 diodes at once).
Go through the tutorials on the Arduino site, if you're new to the Arduino concept in general. http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/HomePage
Have fun, post questions, post accomplishments!
Thank you very much! Sadly my area does not have any component stores other than radio shack, but on the plus side I move into an apartment today where I'm 1 block from said radio shack which is also next to a hardware store. Double score!
I will definitely be posting anything I come up with. One of my reasons for wanting the arduino is creating an automated bar monkey which ironically 2 separate projects have used the arduino to do exactly that in recent weeks. I will be scouring their plans and creating my own design from their work as soon as I get settled in.
Thanks again for the advice. 