Boy, all you yung'ins. Did the same when I was your age. Some 35-40 years ago. Just one comment: We tend to get infatuated with one or two vendors over the years--usually the first ones we work with. There are other, sometimes better, often cheaper alternatives to Maxim. Case in point is their MAX666 regulator. Analog devices makes an equivalent for 30% less cost, and better specs. Also, the Telcom TC55 is incredible for new designs. I'm not bashing Maxim--I've specified their devices in many new designs, and they have gotten their money's worth and then some with all the free samples over the years. But there ARE alternatives (to microchip too, for that matter--ahhhh blasphemy....) and it really pays to look around and developed a strong relationship with the field app engineers with the various distributors. Kelly At 10:40 PM 8/23/99 -0700, you wrote: >Im 16. i too use free samples and i feel as you do. I will also be an >engineering student this year, at caltech. I have already used samples >(maxim in fact) on a product that i had planned on marketing and >patenting, but then i found out that it was patented in 96 *doh* oh well, >the experience was invaluable, and i am already in love with maxims >products. > >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- >A member of the PI-100 Club: >3.1415926535897932384626433832795028841971693993751 >058209749445923078164062862089986280348253421170679 > >On Mon, 23 Aug 1999, Sean H. Breheny wrote: > >> Hi Tim! >> >> I am also a teen (19) hobbyist/student. Its been a while since the subject >> of age came up here,but I'd be interested to see how many of us there are >> on the list. >> >> I also use a fairly large number of free samples. I don't see how one could >> label it as lying,unless the question is specifically asked "How many do >> you expect to use?" and I were to reply with a very large number. In fact, >> I usually inform them that I am an engineering student. I'm not sure how >> much more ground that gains me versus a hobbyist. >> >> I feel very strongly that it is beneficial to a company to send free >> samples to people like us. As you say, you might come up with a product one >> day that you wish to market,and you are more likely to use their parts in >> it. In addition, you may decide to become an engineer,in which case your >> familiarity with their products is a clear advantage to them. >> >> Sean >> >> >> At 05:12 PM 8/23/99 -0700, you wrote: >> >This brings up an interesting question... I'm just a teen (17) hobbyist >> >with no big company and no desires for 1,000,000+ parts. I've ordered >> >numerous samples from Maxim, Nat'l Semi, and TI. I was told by someone >> >that I'm lying in a way because I wouldn't be purchasing mass amounts of >> >these parts. So I ask..is it wrong? What happens if I invent something >> >using one of these parts and I need more and more of 'em? Speaking of >> >which, I ordered a sample of TI's TLC0831 -- it's an 8-bit A/D >> >Converter. Well, I used that to write a magazine article (It'll be in >> >Nuts & Volts), so in the long run, this will boost the (depending on how >> >many readers there are) demand for this particular chip. Actually, Nat'l >> >Semi. makes the same chip -- ADC0831 which is more available. >> > >> >A thought to ponder, >> > >> >Tim Hamel >> >> | >> | Sean Breheny >> | Amateur Radio Callsign: KA3YXM >> | Electrical Engineering Student >> \--------------=---------------- >> Save lives, please look at http://www.all.org >> Personal page: http://www.people.cornell.edu/pages/shb7 >> mailto:shb7@cornell.edu ICQ #: 3329174 >> ________________________________________________________ >> NetZero - We believe in a FREE Internet. Shouldn't you? >> Get your FREE Internet Access and Email at >> http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html >> > > William K. Borsum, P.E. -- OEM Dataloggers and Instrumentation Systems &