International Frequency Sensor Association (IFSA) Newsletter

   (ISSN 1726-6017)

This monthly e-newsletter, written by the editors of Sensors & Transducers Magazine (ISSN 1726-5479), delivers the product and research news you asked for, and updates you on happenings in the sensor science and industry. Who should read this Newsletter ? All who are interested in the newest information and trends in sensors, transducers, MEMS and sensor instrumentation, including DAQ.

IFSA Newsletter, No.7, July 2005

Sponsors Links:

In this issue:

1.   Sensors Related Conferences (2006)

2.   Sensors Council Award

3.   Electronics Shopping via the Internet (by Peter Happarat)

4.   New Sensors Books

5.   Sensors & Transducers Magazine (e-Digest), No.7, July 2005

6.   Sensors Web Portal Up-dates Briefs

7.   Subscriber services

8.   Additional Information

Plus lots more information to be found on Sensors Web Portal: http://www.sensorsportal.com

Sensors Related Conferences

1) IFAC Workshop Programmable Devices and Embedded Systems (PDeS), 14 – 16 March 2006, Brno, CZECH REPUBLIC

Authors are invited to submit papers and posters on:

1. Industrial Programmable Controllers, Industrial PCs and PLCs

2. Field Programmable Logic (PLD, CPLD, FPGA) and High End Design Means

3. Embedded Systems, Microprocessors and Microcontrollers

4. Signal Processing

5. Reliability and Safety of Elements, Circuits and Systems

6. Wireless communication for embedded systems

Deadline for abstract: 31 August 2005

2) International MEMS Conference (iMEMS2006), 9-12 May 2006, SINGAPORE

Topic Areas (Including but not limited to the following:

Deadline for abstract: 1 September 2005

Sensors Council Award

The Sensors Council is pleased to announce the availability of the Graduate Student Scholarship award, sponsored by General Electric, that recognizes excellence in graduate student sensors-related research. Applications are due August 29, 2005 - see http://www.ewh.ieee.org/tc/sensors/

Electronics Shopping via the Internet

The old method of finding electronics was to spend time on a busy Saturday afternoon driving all over town trying to find a store that carries the item you want. It can be a tiring process - not especially productive and often a huge waste of gas. For many people this is still the primary way of shopping for electronics, but there is a better method of doing the necessary work - which can be done within the comfort of your living room, online shopping. Online shopping allows you an opportunity to do all the research about your choice of electronics and choose a reliable company or purchase from a private party.

Shopping online for electronic products can be a great experience. When you go to a brick-and-mortar store, it can take hours to go through the process. First you must find someone who knows the details regarding the stereo, computer, or any other electronic device you're interested in. Once you find a competent salesperson, you have to look at a number of models, only to find that they either don't have what you want or the choices are very limited. So, off you go to another store, only to go through the same exercise all over again. Pretty soon you are so worn out and discouraged that you buy something that isn't exactly what you had in mind, and end up going home less than happy. Has this happened to you? If you were to shop online instead, you could visit a number of online sellers, take your time comparing, and not spend a fortune once you find what you want.

Checking out electronics online is excellent because you have a chance to study all kinds of components, look for particular brands, and have the added bonus of saving money. It depends on who you deal with, but in some cases you can pick up your purchase, and in others the seller will ship it to you. There are a few guidelines you should follow when shopping online. For instance, if you have a favorite company, then go to their website first to see if they are having any sales. If you don't find what you want then go to your favorite search engine, such as google.com, and enter the relevant search words for the electronics you are searching for.

You are sure to find that there are price differences between online stores and those you visit in person. Online sites usually offer lower prices because they have eliminated the 'middle man'. In other words they don't have the same overhead expenses to deal with. Also, when you go into a shop, you most likely will run into high-pressure sales people. Their jobs depend on getting you to buy, and buy now. Not only that, but they will often be able to convince you that you need something you weren't even thinking about. Electronics shopping does involve negotiating, but when you conduct your business online, you are in the driver's seat.

Remember, the internet is a powerful tool that can provide all the information you need for your big purchase. Some places online will offer end of year or overstock sales, meaning you can enjoy an even bigger savings. For private parties, you can find quality electronics through online auctions such as eBay. While most of these people are honest, offering great deals on good or new equipment, you want to ask questions and make sure the party offers a refund should you not be satisfied with your purchase. The next time you are in the market for electronics, do not overlook the advantage of shopping online.

Peter Happarat is a electronics enthusiast and webmaster of FDS Electronics -a premiere site for electronics and electronics resources.

New Books

Sensors & Transducers e-Digest (ISSN 1726-5479), Vol. 57, No. 7, July 2005

The deadline for articles, press releases and sponsored White Papers for the next  issue of S&T e-Digest No.8, Vol.58, August 2005 is
15 August 2005

Sensors Web Portal Up-Date Briefs

News:

• New issue of Sensors & Transducers e-Digest, Vol.57, Issue 7, July 2005 is in the DIGEST section with products news

• IFSA Newsletter (July 2005) online

• PC Based Instrumentation and Control - book review and description

• Biosensors and Modern Biospecific Analytical Techniques - new book description

Up-date:

• Sensor Industry News subsection in NEWS section

• Sensor Industry News Archive section

• Sensor Industry News Syndication page (an opportunity to put latest Sensors Industry news feeds in your own blog or web site)

• Measuring and Control News page

• Accelerometers section

• Biosensors section

• Flow Sensors section

• Gas Sensors section

• Humidity Sensors section

• Mechanical Sensors section

• Optical Sensors section

• The following Lists of Manufactures were up-dated:

• Accelerometers manufacturers

• Temperature Sensors manufacturers

• Level Sensors manufacturers

• Flow Sensors manufacturers

• Standard 2 section (IEEE 1451.2 Transducer to Microprocessor Communication Protocols and Transducer Electronic Data  Sheet (TEDS) Formats)

• Standard 4 section (IEEE 1451.4 Mixed-mode Communication Protocols and Transducer Electronic Data Sheet (TEDS) Formats)

• Training Courses with new courses

• e-Shop 8 (Radiation Control Devices and Dosimeters) with four new products

• Online Catalog of all products from the online store

• Links Section with coming sensor related events in 2006

• New contents of 'Sensors and Actuators'  A: Physical:

• Vol. 121, Issue 1

• New contents of 'Sensor Review' journal:

• Vol. 23, Issue 3

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