Final Appeal for Reviews

I'm into the final lap of writing Deciphering Schematics. And I have intentionally reserved the chapter on Deciphering Analog Circuits for the last but best cut of the pie. Below is a two-page sample:

This is also my final appeal for reviews on my book Manual PCB-RE: The Essentials. If you have not yet submitted your review on Amazon, now is the time to do so. Once my new book is completed, I will decide which three best reviews will get a free copy of it. Of course, the top ten reviews will make it to the Manual PCB-RE book on its next release as well.

So don't delay or hesitate any longer. Time is ticking away...

Ps: For those who have submitted, please ensure your proper names are correct. If you don't wish to make known your organization or company, at least provide your city and country where you reside in. Thanks!

CoVid Disruptions

The past weeks have been pretty rough going. Since the government adopted the CoVid endemic policy on the premise that over 90% of Singapore's population has been vaccinated and reopened the borders, cases of infection have since skyrocketed.

First, my mum contracted the virus and worse, had outbreak of shingles. I brought her to see her regular doctor who prescribed medication for the latter. Thankfully, after a week and a half she recovered. Sadly, however, a close friend of mine recently succumbed to the virus after experiencing high fever for over a week. The first doctor gave him a week's MC and told him to self-isolate at home. After a week, he went to another doctor who told him it's normal and prescribed some medication for sore throat and cough. Bad diagnosis... barely three days later he collapsed at home and was sent to the A&E. But it proved too little too late.

He was only 54 when CoVid took him from his family. It affected me quite a fair bit, though I'm sure his bereaved family will be most grieved by the lost of a father and husband.

I'm into the last mile of Deciphering Schematics, but writing proves difficult during this period with messages coming and going from friends and this family whom I've come to know personally. I just need to take a breather and regather my thoughts so that I don't write nonsense that will break the trust of my readers.

Life is just so frail and unpredictable. CoVid only makes it more apparent, I suppose. Rest in peace, my dear friend...

It's All About Connections

When it comes to writing an engineering book, some authors may not follow the order in which he or she planned or laid down the contents. I happened to belong to this group. Inspiration is a funny thing and can be disruptive at times. For example, when I started out writing on the Philips AZ102 Sound Master part, I placed it in the Analog section of the book. Half way through, it dawn on me that this illustration fits better in the Hybrid section, so I moved it over there and continue writing.

Here's a two-page sample:

I hope to complete this deciphering example by mid next week, then go back to the Analog section to finish up the remaining portion. That should cover about 95% of the book. It will take another 1 week for me to proofread and brush up the whole book. I'm still thinking who I should approach to write the Foreword, or is it necessary? Any suggestion from my readers?

And oh by the way, if you have not leave your review for Manual PCB-RE yet, now is the time to do so. Don't wait till the last minute because you may forget and forgo the chance of having your name included in the next release of that book, and lose the opportunity to get a free copy of this book (Deciphering Schematics) if you make it to the top three.