I'm looking to do some quick research before I start my EE course at uni, but what would be the best way to learn.
I plan to use the EEV youtube channel for some stuff but books for others, I'm looking at maybe Practical Electronics for inventors, I hear its good, and I plan to use a notepad over a laptop.
What do you think?
For a start, congrats and good luck!
Don't just rely on your laptop to make notes. Sure its useful, it can get lost, stolen, broken or if your in our lab, denied use cos the power supply is not PAT tested (insurance purposes)
So get it PAT tested. Your department or faculty stores or Tech Support Staff should oblige you with a free test,
but check first, else go to a qualified electrician - usually a few quid an item.
Get it insured would be a good bet - theft is common in student digs, as is accidental damage, sods law dictates that either of these events will happen just before a big hand-in or an exam!
And its not just the cost of replacement but all you notes will need recovering, or may not be recoverable at all if some scrote has pinched it, so invest in a large capacity external drive and look into a backup system -
- I just implemented the laptop back-up system this video describes using a 1TB external drive and works really well! I'd back up twice-weekly.
But your note book will be invaluable! No booting times, risk of damage from dropping, nobody is likely to steal it and they are cheap (if your dept./faculty has a stores they may sell them for 1/2 the price from your local stationery supplier!)
We still issue students with lab books here and session 1 is leaning how to keep a lab book! Still doesn't sink in by week 10!
Something to quickly scribble down findings, important bullet points, list, do to's, etc
Books: Horowitz & Hill 3rd edition - sure its dear but when you need it, and you think the library will have it - it won't. So get your own copy and lend it TO NO ONE!
Do use the interwebs! But also take note of the course material, some of the stuff you may find is not cover as much on the internet, so take notes, ask questions, cos there's no point in wish you understood something at the time when you in the middle of an exam!