# Layouts and Design-Outs

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2010-09-14
- Length: 1h 00m
- Episode: 8
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-09-14-layouts-and-design-outs
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/the-amp-hour-8-layouts-and-design-outs/

## Summary

Hosts Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss the acquisition of the component search engine FindChips.com by Supply Frame Media, expressing concern over the loss of its unbiased neutrality. They share a personal anecdote about a critical component shortage forcing a complete product redesign, highlighting the risks of relying on distributor stock levels. The conversation then shifts to career advice for aspiring PCB designers, emphasizing the need for practical experience and spatial visualization skills over formal certification.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-09-14-layouts-and-design-outs#t=0) Introduction and Show Housekeeping
- [19:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-09-14-layouts-and-design-outs#t=1172) The Acquisition of FindChips.com
- [26:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-09-14-layouts-and-design-outs#t=1567) Component Shortages and Design Changes
- [40:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-09-14-layouts-and-design-outs#t=2447) Career Advice for PCB Designers
- [54:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-09-14-layouts-and-design-outs#t=3279) Emotive EEG Headsets and Brain-Computer Interfaces

## Topics

- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- FindChips.com (tool)
- Supply Frame Media (company)
- DigiKey (company)
- Mouser (company)
- Octopart (tool)
- Emotive Epoch (product)
- Bob Pease (other)
- EDN (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Spark Gap - Episode 10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2014-08-20-the-spark-gap-episode-10) (The Spark Gap)
- [Bringing Design Order to a Chaotic World: Insights From Top Execs at Digi-Key and Molex](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-09-27-bringing-design-order-to-a-chaotic-world-insights-from-top-execs-at-digi-key-and) (Moore's Lobby)
- [The Spark Gap - Episode 52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2018-01-01-the-spark-gap-episode-52) (The Spark Gap)
- [20: Soldered Together By Monkeys](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-09-26-20-soldered-together-by-monkeys) (Embedded.fm)
- [Scaling an Electronics Design Business: Insights from Jordan Danko](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-04-22-scaling-an-electronics-design-business-insights-from-jordan-danko) (OnTrack)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-09-14-layouts-and-design-outs. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Amp Hour.