Hello everyone!

<snip>

> >Or does it sound like I am not ready for a scope?
>
> Please don't think that I am being rude, but you last statement is correct.
> A CRO is a large purchase (But handy). Use them first at college, see what
> you do and don't like, what you do and don't need and how to use. Then buy,
> knowing what to look for and what best suites your needs.

I beg to differ!! If you can afford a mid-range scope, buy it, by all
means! It will aid your understanding of basic electronic concepts
unbelievably (eg. what happens when I increase the resistance in this
high pass RC filter?; is my low pass filter time constant right to
get smooth out my PWM waveform etc.).  Although I work without my
'scope most of the time, every now and then I feel blind without it
(am I loading the output of this opamp too much?? - can't see using
my multimeter, plug in the scope). It helps tremendously in getting a
'feel' for electronics.

What to go for: I am a bit apprehensive about the PC based ones,
since most of them are fairly slow.  I would recomment going for a
mid-range analogue 'scope, although I can't name any brands (can
anyone else help?).

I you want a cheeper option, you could make a PIC project out of it -
I have seen a number of designs interfacing the PIC16C71 to the PC
via the parallel port - have a look around.  It may be the solution
until you have a better idea of what you want.

Cheers
  Roland