Adam Schaible via plug on 16 Feb 2021 21:40:10 -0800


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Re: [PLUG] [External] Re: Where to Buy Nerd Stuff

I'm also a big fan of brick-and-mortar because seeing merch in person always reminds me of stuff I "didn't even know I needed" to search for online. But with the demise of Radioshack and the onset of the COVID era, MicroCenter is the best all we have in the area right now. They're a whole lot better than nothing, even if their offerings are a bit skewed in the "science fair project" direction at times. Aside from MicroCenter, Harbor Freight chain stores might be of minor interest as a place to get some tools and supplies, and Ham Radio Outlet in New Castle, DE might still be of interest to non-hams if you need any high-end rechargeable batteries, solar panels, or fancy electrical connectors for any of your projects.

But once the pandemic dies down and exhibition spaces reopen, I'm greatly looking forward to the renewal of that second great and vital source of nerd stuff: the convention circuit. Hacker meetups like HOPE in NYC and the various BSides, enthusiast events like the retro videogame expo in Oaks, Allentown Pinball Festival, Vintage Computer Festival in Wall NJ, Gloucester County Hamfest in Mullica Hill NJ... all of them with a unique and eclectic selection of nerd junk that I miss quite badly. I'm guessing a couple of them are going to try to bravely (foolishly?) start up again this year but the attendance/selection will be quite lackluster unless we all get our vaccines REAL soon. Fingers crossed!

Happy hacking,
--
  Adam Schaible
  plug@schibes.com



On Tue, Feb 16, 2021, at 13:51, Eric Lucas via plug wrote:
I too wish there were more options. I'm less than 15 minutes door-to-door from MicroCenter however their selection is necessarily limited. I would expect it's for much the same reason that Radio Shack's selection was limited. 

I have also purchased electronic parts from Newark (www.newark.com). They support the Pi and other gear through their Element14 site: www.element14.com as well.  (Element 14 - great name!) 

There used to be an electric supply place that also had some electronic piece parts and gear in DELCO on route 1 just south of West Chester Pike. They've been closed for many years if I recall correctly. I don't even remember the name. 

Eric

On Tue, Feb 16, 2021 at 12:37 PM John Kreno via plug <plug@lists.phillylinux.org> wrote:
Wish there were more options

On Tue, Feb 16, 2021, 8:41 AM jeffv via plug <plug@lists.phillylinux.org> wrote:


On 2/16/21 8:38 AM, Steven Ng via plug wrote:
> I don't know how it is now, because I don't have a car to drive there,
> but I if you're looking for bricks and mortar, there's also MicroCenter
> in St Davids. I used to shop for computer gear there when I lived in
> Southern California.

Thanks. That's about it in the Philly area.

It's progress[?]
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___________________________________________________________________________
Philadelphia Linux Users Group         --        http://www.phillylinux.org
Announcements - http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-announce
General Discussion  --   http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug