A place to share my findings

 I was doing research on Substack and here on my notes. The goal in doing this research was to answer the question; is substack a good place to grow a following on my tech research? I did use Chat-GPT to pull all this together so it may not be fully accurate. I left as much of the links to the sources as possible. 

Here is my research.

Substack is an American online platform that provides publishing, payment, analytics, and design infrastructure to support subscription-based content, including newsletters, podcasts, and video. It allows writers to send digital content directly to subscribers. Founded in 2017, Substack is headquartered in San Francisco. Wikipedia+1The New Yorker+1

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Founding and Early Growth

Substack was founded in 2017 by Chris Best (CEO), Jairaj Sethi (CTO), and Hamish McKenzie (Chief Writing Officer). The team first met while working together at Kik, a free messenger app that Best had co-founded. Both Best and Sethi graduated from the University of Waterloo. At Kik, Sethi served as the Head of Platform for nearly six years. McKenzie was a former journalist who had written for various newspapers and magazines. He met Best and Sethi while doing communications work for Kik, where McKenzie had worked as an Editorial Advisor. Vanity Fair+12Contrary Research+12Vanity Fair+12

The founders were inspired by Ben Thompson's Stratechery, a subscription-based tech and media newsletter, as a major inspiration for their platform. Best acts as CEO of the company. ContentGrip+19Wikipedia+19WIRED+19

Substack's first publication was Bill Bishop's Sinocism, a newsletter focused on China. By July 2018, Substack had just over 11,000 paid subscribers who shelled out on average nearly $80 a year. Vanity Fair+3WIRED+3Wikipedia+3Vanity Fair

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Platform Expansion

In 2019, Substack added support for podcasts and discussion threads among newsletter subscribers. By November 2021, the platform said it had more than 500,000 paying subscribers, representing over one million subscriptions. Substack announced in January 2022 that it would begin private beta testing of video functionality on its platform. In November of that year, they launched Substack Chat where content creators could create private group chats with subscribers. Also in 2022, the company launched the Substack Reader app for iOS, followed by an Android version six months later. ContentGrip+6Wikipedia+6Wikipedia+6

In April 2023, Elon Musk spoke with Substack's leadership about purchasing the platform, but the proposal was not accepted. That same month, Substack implemented a Notes feature, which allows users to publish and repost short-form content. This microblogging feature was compared to Twitter, and many outlets considered it to be a response to changes at Twitter under the ownership of Elon Musk. The launch of Substack Notes resulted in criticism by Musk, and Twitter began censoring links to Substack on its platform. In November 2023, Substack introduced new video creation and editing tools, and content creators started launching original shows on the platform. Wikipedia

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Financial Growth and Funding

Substack raised an initial seed round in 2018 from investors including The Chernin Group, Zhen Fund, Twitch CEO Emmett Shear, and Zynga co-founder Justin Waldron. Andreessen Horowitz provided $15.3 million in Series A funding in 2019, some of which went to bringing high-profile writers into Substack's network. Substack has provided some content creators with advances to start working on their platform. Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3Generalist+3

As of August 2021, Substack had more than 250,000 paying subscribers, and its top ten publishers were making $7 million in annualized revenue. In April 2022, The New York Times reported Substack may be valued at $650 million. Substack dropped an effort to raise money in May 2022. The company had aimed to raise between $75 million and $100 million. Wikipedia

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Controversies and Criticism

In 2020, Substack faced criticism for inadvertently exposing user email addresses due to a privacy incident. The company acknowledged the issue and said that it was remedied after the initial batch of emails. Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+1

Substack has also been criticized for allowing content that could be dangerous to public health, such as anti-vaccine misinformation. In January 2022, the Center for Countering Digital Hate accused Substack of allowing content that could be dangerous to public health. The Center estimated that the company earned $2.5 million per year from the top five anti-vaccine authors alone. In response, the three founders affirmed their commitment to minimal censorship in a blog post. Wikipedia

In November 2023, Substack faced further criticism for allowing its platform to be used by white nationalists, Nazis, and antisemites. Critics highlighted that this is in spite of Substack's terms of service that supposedly prohibit hate speech. In an open letter, more than 100 Substack creators threatened to leave Substack and implored Substack's leadership to stop giving bigotry a platform. Substack CEO Hamish McKenzie responded to the controversy by confirming that the company will continue to allow the publication of extremist views, saying that attempting to censor them would make the problem worse. YouTube+11Wikipedia+11Vanity Fair+11

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Current Status

As of March 2025, Substack announced that it had 5 million paid subscriptions. The platform continues to evolve, adding new features and tools to support its growing community of writers and content creators. Wikipedia+1ContentGrip+1

For more information, you can visit Substack's official website: https://substack.com

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I Asked:

What is the type of people who read content from substack? What is the market demographics?

ChatGPT said:

Substack's readership is diverse and dynamic, but certain demographic trends stand out. Here's an overview of who engages with content on Substack:

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📊 Age & Gender

• Age: The largest segment of Substack readers falls within the 25–34 age group, followed by those aged 35–44.

• Gender: The platform's audience is nearly evenly split, with 50.35% female and 49.65% male readers. Similarweb

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🌎 Geographic Distribution

• United States: Approximately 63.78% of Substack's traffic originates from the U.S. Similarweb

• Other Countries: Notable readership also comes from the United Kingdom (7.01%), Canada (4.57%), Australia (2.49%), and India (1.99%). Similarweb+1Semrush+1

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🎓 Education & Employment

• Education: Nearly 47.2% of Substack readers hold a college degree, indicating a well-educated audience. Reddit

• Employment: About 45.89% are employed full-time, suggesting that many readers are working professionals. Reddit

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📱 Digital Behavior

• Device Usage: A majority of readers (57.11%) access Substack via mobile devices, highlighting the importance of mobile-friendly content. Semrush

• Platform Engagement: Many Substack users are active on platforms like YouTube, indicating a preference for multimedia content.

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🎯 Interests & Content Preferences

• Topics: Substack readers are interested in a wide range of subjects, including science, education, news, technology, and fashion. Similarweb

• Content Type: The platform attracts readers seeking in-depth analysis, personal essays, and niche topics not typically covered by mainstream media.

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💡 Summary

Substack's audience primarily consists of educated, tech-savvy individuals aged 25–44, with a balanced gender distribution. They are predominantly based in the U.S. and engage with a variety of content topics, often accessing the platform via mobile devices. This demographic is drawn to personalized, in-depth content that offers unique perspectives outside traditional media channels.George Kao

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Write up a reference section. Showcasing all the sources you used in researching substack.

ChatGPT said:

Sure! Here's a reference section formatted in a clean, professional style that you can use to cite the research on Substack:

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📚 References: Substack History & Demographics

1. Wikipedia Contributors. (2024). Substack. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substack

2. Contrary Research. (n.d.). Substack Company Profile. Retrieved from https://research.contrary.com/company/substack

3. Vanity Fair. (2019, July). Peak Personal Newsletter and I Feel Fine. Retrieved from https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2019/07/peak-personal-newsletter-and-i-feel-fine-substack-tinyletter

4. SimilarWeb. (2024). Substack.com Traffic Analytics & Market Share. Retrieved from https://www.similarweb.com/website/substack.com

5. Reddit. (2024). 2024 Substack Wrapped: Who's Reading Your Newsletter? [r/Substack]. Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/Substack/comments/1h7z6m1/2024_substack_wrapped_part_1_whos_reading_your

6. SEMRush. (2024). Substack Website Overview. Retrieved from https://www.semrush.com/website/substack.com/overview

Careers in Electronics: Turning Your Skills Into Opportunities

I was curious what companies would pay for skills in electronics—so I went down the rabbit hole. I expected to find a few technician roles or engineering jobs, but what I found was something much bigger. Electronics is a doorway, not just a skillset. It’s a gateway into industries that are shaping the future: robotics, aerospace, smart homes, electric vehicles, medical tech, and even content creation.

So if you’re someone who understands how a capacitor works or can identify components on a PCB board, here’s what that knowledge can unlock for you.

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1. Electronics Technician

These are the folks who know how to get their hands dirty—troubleshooting, soldering, assembling, and repairing electronics. Whether it’s building control panels or testing devices on an assembly line, technicians are the heartbeat of day-to-day operations.

• Average Pay: $45K–$75K/year
• Where you’d work: Manufacturing, telecom, automation labs.

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2. Electrical Engineer

This one’s for the big thinkers—the people who love designing systems from the ground up. Electrical engineers are behind the blueprint, simulations, and testing of everything from power systems to microcontrollers.

• Average Pay: $70K–$120K/year
• Where you’d work: Engineering firms, energy companies, tech manufacturers.

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3. Embedded Systems Engineer

If you’ve ever wanted to bring a device to life, this is your jam. Embedded engineers build systems inside gadgets—smart thermostats, fitness trackers, robotic arms. They’re the bridge between software and hardware.

• Average Pay: $80K–$130K/year
• Industries: Automotive, IoT, medical devices, wearables.

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4. PCB Designer

Printed Circuit Boards are the unsung heroes of every device you’ve ever used. Designers create the physical layout and design files that turn concepts into working boards.

• Average Pay: $60K–$100K/year
• Tools of the trade: Altium Designer, Eagle, KiCad.

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5. Robotics Technician or Engineer

This role mixes sensors, motors, and control systems to make machines move. From pick-and-place machines in factories to robotic arms in surgery, these jobs are growing fast.

• Pay Range: $50K–$120K/year (Technician vs. Engineer)

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6. IoT Developer

Think smart homes, connected cars, or even agricultural monitoring systems. IoT developers combine electronics, sensors, and code to make devices communicate.

• Average Pay: $75K–$120K/year
• Bonus: Startups in this space often offer equity.

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7. Test Engineer

These professionals design stress tests, failure analysis, and quality checks to ensure a product does what it’s supposed to—every time.

• Average Pay: $70K–$100K/year
• Key Skill: Knowing how and where things fail before the customer does.

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8. Field Service Technician

Like a tech medic on wheels, you go to client sites to install, troubleshoot, or repair high-tech systems—from MRI machines to industrial robots.

• Average Pay: $50K–$85K/year + travel perks

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9. Technical Sales Engineer

If you love electronics but also love people, this is a sweet spot. You’re the one who explains tech products to businesses and helps them buy the right components.

• Pay: $70K–$130K+/year (base + commission)
• Pro tip: A tech-savvy salesperson is worth their weight in gold.

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10. Content Creator & Educator

Here’s the unexpected one: You can turn your electronics knowledge into a personal brand. From YouTube tutorials to online courses to DIY kits—many creators are earning from ad revenue, sponsors, or their own products.

• Pay: Totally variable ($0 – $200K+), but scalable and creative.
• Bonus: You get to build community while building circuits.

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What I Learned

There’s more opportunity in electronics than most people realize. It’s not just about building gadgets—it’s about building a career, building income streams, and building confidence in your skillset.

Whether you want to work in a lab, a garage, an office, or in front of a camera, electronics is a bridge to something bigger. And you don’t always need a degree. Sometimes you just need curiosity, a soldering iron, and the drive to keep learning.

If that’s you—keep going. There’s a place for you in this industry, and it might just be more rewarding than you think.

Memorizing electronics

I've been playing with my electronic kits and I keep forgetting the names and specs of the electric components.

I'm currently grappling with memorizing various electronic components and their functions. To tackle this challenge, I'm exploring several strategies:

1. Crafting Mnemonics

Creating memorable phrases can simplify the retention of complex information. For instance, to remember the resistor color code—Black (0), Brown (1), Red (2), Orange (3), Yellow (4), Green (5), Blue (6), Violet (7), Gray (8), White (9)—I use the mnemonic: "Big Boys Race Our Young Girls But Violet Generally Wins." This vivid sentence helps me recall the sequence and corresponding values. ​physicsforums.com+5en.wikipedia.org+5en.wikipedia.org+5en.wikipedia.org

2. Engaging in Hands-On Practice

I find that actively working with components solidifies my understanding. Building simple circuits using resistors, capacitors, and transistors not only reinforces theoretical knowledge but also enhances muscle memory. This experiential learning bridges the gap between concept and application. ​

3. Utilizing Flashcards

To reinforce my memory, I'm going to create flashcards with the component's name on one side and its function, symbol, and specifications on the other. Regularly reviewing these cards enhances active recall and aids in long-term retention.​

4. Applying the Method of Loci

Associating components with familiar locations helps in memorization. For example, I visualize placing a resistor in my living room and a capacitor in my kitchen. This technique, known as the Method of Loci, leverages spatial memory to enhance recall. ​

By integrating these methods into my study routine, I'm hoping to gradually master the myriad components that make up electronic systems.

Here are some links to flashcards I found that could help you on your journey.

https://www.cram.com/flashcards/electronic-circuit-symbols-2-3559771

I think I will print out these flash card and see if I can turn it into a game.

Learn electronic components Online simulations 004

I'm on a journey to learn how electronics work, and my dream is to start building my own devices one day. I don't have the money to buy all the electronic components I need to practice and learn, but I don't need to. I found these amazing platforms that allow me to practice making circuits without any physical components.

1. CircuitLab

CircuitLab is a web-based platform that enables users to design, simulate, and analyze electronic circuits directly within their browser. It offers an intuitive schematic editor, allowing for the creation of both analog and digital circuit designs without the need for additional software installations. Users can perform simulations to observe circuit behavior, generate professional-grade schematics, and produce detailed plots for analysis. ​circuitlab.com

Here is a video that show how CircuitLab works.

Also comes with it's own Interactive Electronics Textbook! 

https://ultimateelectronicsbook.com/#introduction

2. EveryCircuit

EveryCircuit is an interactive online and mobile application that allows users to design, simulate, and share electronic circuits. It provides real-time, animated simulations that visually depict voltages, currents, and charges directly on the schematic, enhancing understanding of circuit operations. The platform supports both analog and digital circuit simulations and is accessible across multiple platforms, including web browsers, Android, and iOS devices. ​

3. Multisim Live

Multisim Live is a free, web-based circuit simulator that incorporates SPICE software, enabling users to create, learn, and share circuits online. It offers a comprehensive environment for designing and simulating analog, digital, and mixed-signal circuits. The platform also features a community where users can explore and collaborate on public circuits, fostering a shared learning experience. ​

I'm looking forward to testing each of these simulations.

Where to buy Electronic Components 003

 As I've been diving into the world of electronics, I need to buy Electronic Components. So I search and for this YouTube video that shared a lot of options.

Then I found this video sharing what components are normally essential.

Here is the list of places to buy Electronic Components

1. Mouser Electronics

Mouser is a global distributor of semiconductors and electronic components, stocking over a million unique SKUs from more than 1,200 manufacturer brands. They serve customers in over 223 countries and territories, offering products from leading manufacturers like Texas Instruments and Intel. mouser.com

3. Octopart

Octopart functions as a search engine for electronic components, allowing users to compare parts across hundreds of distributors and thousands of manufacturers. This platform provides accurate and comprehensive electronic part data, streamlining the component selection process. octopart.com

4. McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is a supplier known for its extensive catalog of hardware, tools, raw materials, and maintenance equipment. While not exclusively focused on electronic components, they offer a variety of electrical and lighting products suitable for various applications.

5. Jameco Electronics

Jameco Electronics is a distributor with over 50 years in business, offering a wide range of electronic components, parts, and kits. They cater to both hobbyists and professionals, providing products suitable for various electronic projects.​Jameco Electronics

6. Arrow Electronics

Arrow Electronics is an authorized distributor of hundreds of electronic component manufacturers globally. They offer a platform to research, compare, and purchase components, serving a broad spectrum of industries. ​arrow.com

7. boosteroven

This site is from a YouTuber I really like and I have bought a few things from him that I found useful in getting started in electronics.   https://boosteroven.com/search?q=breadboard

I'm looking forward to getting some DF Robot Breadboard Plugins, They may make it easier to see what you are working with. Link https://www.dfrobot.com/product-1386.html?tracking=FZm4ZO4beBvpFJyQeYvOfK73VSO81a5YeZVG6Dvdt6PuUlu5E3Kr5BJSV9GsJZ59

When selecting a supplier, consider factors such as product availability, shipping options, pricing, and the specific requirements of your project to ensure a successful procurement process.

Free resources for learning electrics 002

 I don't have a lot to devote to learning electrics right now so I did some research to find some free resources.

Back in the 1900s Radio Shack came out with the "Radio Shack Electronics Learning Lab". You can find one on eBay for like $30.00. I remember having something like it as a kid (I would have done better with a simple breadboard). You can find a PDF of the project books online. 

I also found this YouTube channel where the guy shows every project in the book. youtube.com/@statisticool

Here is a link I found for the Radio Shack Electronics Learning Lab workbook.

 https://www.zpag.net/Electroniques/Kit/Radio_Shack_Electronics_Learning_Lab_01.pdf

This PDF has a guide on how to read Schematics. 

I then found this "Beginner's Guide to Reading Schematics 3rd adittion". 

Here is the link:

 https://www.accessengineeringlibrary.com/binary/mheaeworks/db47e8ac12878fcb/13f4b8988057a361b4f420ac9da567ceb5f26b1678f9afe7b79e6b82b2ead3d3/book-summary.pdf

That's everything for now. I'm hoping to come across something simple and easy strait forward to learning electronics but until then I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Getting started in Electronics 001

I've want to get into building electronics for a while but I don't know where to start. So follow along while I figure it out.

 
I bought this kit from amazon. Here as my affiliate link to buy it. https://amzn.to/3XqMrxe
ELEGOO UNO Project Super Starter Kit 

Amazon photo of the Elegoo kit

It comes with a CD with a guide but I don't have a CD player. However there is a download PDF. Here is a link to the guide. ELEGOO Arduino UNO Project Super Starter Kit download link 1

I got the kit and reviewed the guide, It was confusing and goes strait to programing. I don't want to program yet. I want to get familiar it the stuff first before getting into the programing side of it.

A picture of some of the things that came in my kit.

If I was going to teach someone else and help them get started in electronics I would have them buy the BOJACK 37 Values 480 Pcs Electronics Component Fun Kit. https://amzn.to/41i5ZEU. It's $15.00 and has the basic things to get started. 

I got into electronics because I wanted to put lights in a dollhouse for my daughter. I learned how to use the power supply and the breadboard with LEDs.  Here is a video that explains how the power supply works. 

Power Supply

From my limited knowledge of electronics I made a dollhouse lighting kit. You can watch this video of what I learned. 

I found this book at my local library and am now following along and trying to learn how to read Speck Sheets. Link to amazon https://amzn.to/4kkCFX7

Stay tuned while I explore the next steps of this new world of electrics.

As of March 2025 I found a great starter kit. It's called theamtech. I'm looking into how to get my hands on one. They are still in pre-order.

https://www.theamtech.com

I'm going to just start posting kits I find that I would try here. 
ARDEST Electronics Project Starter Kit
https://a.co/d/2DwtaBi