>
>Where do I get a quick practical self taught electronics education?
>

> What is a reasonable process for making your own boards these days, or is
> wirewrap still it for prototypeing?
>
> Are FPGA something I can think about using? I have no idea of the reality of
> this sort of thing, but the idea of specifying what you need and plugging it
> into a socket instead of building it out of a pile of chips is compelling.
>
> Where can I get (or rather which should I get) a reasonable set of databooks
> to familiarize myself with the more standard modern components? Both digital
> and analog please.
>
> Now that we all have computers, I probably don't have to draw my next
> project by hand. What software (prefer freeware, prefer Linux based, but
> will pay, will use Windows if need be) should I look for?
>

David;

        Pick up a copy of "The Art of Electronics" by Horowitz and Hill.
Excellent reference book, and full of good advice on many practical aspects
of electronics.