TCM Anyone?

I've just completed translating a book for my friend from English to Chinese. While the first draft is under review, I thought it'll be good to catch up on my writing PCB Diagnostics. As I mentioned in my previous posts, diagnosing faults on a PCB has parallel similarities with the practice of TCM. This makes for some interesting analogies like in the two-page sample below:

There are many books on how to troubleshoot a PCB or electronic equipment, so I'm not about to write another of the similar, predictable stereotype book on this subject. Of course, PCB Diagnostics will involve troubleshooting techniques as well as the various type of tools used to diagnose electronic faults. But I hope to take it one level higher by incorporating a holistic approach using TCM analogies.

I don't want to write books just to present facts. I want to impact readers and change their perspective and philosophy regarding the topic they are interested to learn, so they can pick up a life skill in the process of acquiring that knowledge. If I can achieve this objective, then I will have leave behind an invaluable and lasting legacy.

Amazon Ranking (US)

As usual, a few weeks after its release, Deciphering Schematics hits the top chart for new release in the Electrical & Electronic Circuits category:

It's just a fleeting achievement, though I wonder why Amazon would even bother to give every book this kind of temporary ranking. What makes a book, especially an engineering one, popular and appealing to readers in this field? Is it the content, the style of writing, the illustrations, or its overall presentation? I know some books are hot favorites, like The Art of Electronics (I own the 3rd edition) and is considered the de facto in the electronics industry. There are, however, other books that continue to enjoy good sales with plenty of reviews, yet falls short of reader's expectation in substance or style.

So what gives? This is the question I have in mind as I embark on writing my last engineering book, this being the seventh year of my lonely journey as an author. Besides leaving a lasting legacy to my readers, there is really no reason to continue writing because it's not sustainable with the increasing cost of living in this present age.

Unless there is a breakthrough and recognition for my efforts, I'll have to call it quit by the end of this year and start looking for a full-time job.

Halo! Poland!

For the first time since publishing my PCB-RE books, there are buyers from Poland, the Land of Fields. Amazon has online presence in 12 countries spanning three continents, namely North America, Europe and Australia, one of which is this eastern European country. Registered sales of my books came only after the recent release of Deciphering Schematics, though:

Still, it's something to shout about considering it's a rare sector to penetrate into. Hopefully, the two remaining countries will have readers for my books, namely the Netherlands and Sweden. Never have I imagined that my books would go this far when I started out on my lonely journey of writing. It feels unreal yet rewarding to know that engineers of diverse nationalities are actually reading my works!

I would have loved to hear from my readers too. Perhaps in time to come. For now, I'm thankful for their support through purchase of my books. That's the honor every author deserves for his or her hard work.

Dziękuję! (Thank you in Polish)

1st Review for My Latest Book

Since releasing my book Deciphering Schematics barely five days ago, a reader has posted the first review on Amazon:

This review alone is worth all the hard work I put in for the past one year, laboring with the text and many illustrations using Visio, as well as schematic diagrams that I have redrawn or overhauled to make the reading experience a top quality and enjoyable one. I have also pegged the book at an affordable price.

Being a non-US resident, I am subject to 30% withholding tax plus the cost of printing and logistics, so basically what I earn on royalty per book is enough for a meal and drink. I hope readers will support me with honest purchase so I can focus on writing my last book, PCB Diagnostics. Each book takes a lot of time and effort to produce, and careful thoughts go into how best to organize and present the content.

It is my desire that newbie and experienced engineers alike will benefit from my years of knowledge in the field of electronics. That's the legacy I wish to leave behind.

Ps: Thank you, Sebastian, for your generous compliment and support to my works.
 

Released with a Blast!

After a year of hard work, my fifth engineering book Deciphering Schematics, is finally online and ready for order! I have chosen August 9 as the date of release, though the book was submitted on the 2nd which resulted in that release date. Still, it's a blast much like the 21-gun presidential salute, performed by the 23rd Artillery Battalion, on our National Day Parade:

Readers who are anticipating and waiting for this book can now purchase it on Amazon. Simply click on the photo above to be transported to the ordering page (US only), or if you live outside the US, just search for my name on the Amazon store of your country to locate it.

Thanks for your patience and understanding. I do hope that you will find the book beneficial to your work and personal skill in deciphering electronic circuits. Do leave a review and let me know what you think. This is the desire of every author and it will most certainly motivate me in writing my upcoming sixth engineering book, PCB Diagnostics.

Take care and have a great week!

Note: Photo courtesy of my friend Jeremy Loei, an avid photographer.

Happy 57th National Day!

This year 2022, our little island nation celebrates its 57th independence year with the usual and much anticipated National Day Parade (NDP) at the Marina Bay Floating Platform.

The theme for this year is 'Stronger Together' and celebrates Singapore and Singaporeans going through the two-year pandemic and emerging stronger together as a people. For readers who have not visited our country or seen the parade, you can watch a past year sample video to get a feel of it (click on the image below):

You can expect whole-hearted participation from people of all walks of life, the military with its smart uniforms and contingents, the guard-of-honor that does the 'feu de joie' (3 shots of firing of joy), the 21-gun salute as the president inspects the guards, fly past of fighter jets and Singapore flag, large-scale formation dances that depict the theme, dashing celebrities rendering the newly composed national day song and those favorites of yesteryears, and not forgetting the spectacular fireworks at the end of this two-hour plus grand event.

It is a time to be thankful for the many blessings we share among families and friends, and for the nation our forefathers had built up so that generations that follow can enjoy the fruits of their labor. And many foreigners who have chosen this island-country to call it their home can vouch for the wonderful opportunities presented to them to live and work as one of its privileged citizens.

Cheers to Singapore's 57th birthday, with many more years to come!

A Special One-Off Anniversary

Exactly one year since I mooted the idea of writing Deciphering Schematics, I'm happy and relieved to inform my readers that I've finally completed the final draft of the book. The last mile has been a great challenge for me, mentally and emotionally on personal grounds. Currently it's in the proofreading phase.

Here's the updated cover without the Foreword (I took it from a reader's suggestion to drop the idea. Well, at least for the time being):

The former release will be on August 9 which is the National Day (or Independence Day for the US) of our island nation, Singapore. I will probably resume writing PCB Diagnostics sometime end of this month, but there could be further delays as I'm involved in the translation of a book by a friend.

There is so much to do with so little time, I just have to prioritize and manage the tasks at hand. If everything works out well, I hope my final masterpiece will be birthed on Christmas Day.