I am so excited to see how many people have joined various groups in the last year! Last April I compiled a list of the best LinkedIn groups for printed circuit board professionals and enthusiasts.  Many changes have occurred since then, with the addition of new groups and the demise of others.  Below is my take on the best groups for 2010.  I also want to point out a few groups I find to be great concepts, but which have yet to find the type of traffic necessary to sustain …

A few weeks ago Morgan and I were doing a client visit, and had set up a table in the cafeteria of a large customer during lunchtime. It was a great opportunity for those who we currently work with to come and say hi, and also for co-workers to have an opportunity to learn about our services. We had a great time, and there was a lot of interest and great dialogue for the three hours we were there.
There was a particular moment, however, which really encouraged me …

It has been interesting to read both the 2009 “end of the year recaps” and the 2010 predictions for the printed circuit board (PCB) industry as we have drawn close to the New Year.  Most have been quite comprehensive and informative, yet I hope to add value by also providing some impressions, critiques and praises.  Many refer to me as the fresh, young kid… and so it is my hope that I can provide a unique and valuable perspective.
The year 2009 has been an intense crash-course and immersion into the …

Do you think you have what it takes to make a mark in the field of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design?  For the engineering minded and artistically oriented, PCB design is a fascinating field where you can achieve both financial success and fulfillment in doing something that you love.  Whether you’re just dipping your toes for the first time, or you are a seasoned veteran; I hope to provide some insight and encouragement.  A few accomplished men were gracious enough to speak with me and share their thoughts, stories, and …

by Liam Morris
I have been blessed with the opportunity to speak during the afternoon sessions at PCB Atlanta on October 22.  UP Media has always been very kind to us and have now provided me with this opportunity.
The seminar I will be teaching will be on the topic of marketing yourself using the social media and online tools that are currently available online.  Below is the abstract I submitted when I approached them with the idea.
Are you trying to find a way to stand out among the crowd?  The field …

Today is an exciting day for HotPCB.com!  Today marks the first significant promotion of HotPCB.  We were fortunate enough to be contacted by Andy Shaughnessy, Editor of PCB Design 007, and asked to be a guest on the Shaughnessy Report, a weekly audio interview he conducts.   It was a great experience working with Andy, and you can find all of his interviews here. The title of the HotPCB interview is “Grad Brings Fresh Viewpoint to Industry”.  Be sure to check it out!

This coming June 7-12 is the International Microwave symposium and Radio & Wireless Symposium in Boston.  A large number of exhibitors will be present and it promises to be a great chance to interact with hundreds of vendors and professionals.  It is likely that I will attend and the hope is to take advantage of the Symposium in the fullest.  In response to my reflection on PCB East, Don Lafferty made a few excellent points concerning the history of trade shows within this industry and the failure of many to …

At HotPCB we’re really to serve those who are involved in the PCB industry, particularly Designers.  In my time talking with various people, I have come to realize that a section dedicated to featuring designers would be a great addition.  The goal is to weekly feature a designer, and to develop an archive of Biographies.
Designers have started contacting me concerning this project, and the enthusiasm is contagious.  Many have asked me to describe how it will work, what type of biographies we are looking for, how it will help them, …

Windows up and Radio off, I made my way towards Waltham, MA this past Wednesday morning.  Silently I attempted to prepare myself for my first trade show.  This was my first opportunity to represent my company face-to-face with potential and current customers.  Having never been to a show, I was unsure what to expect.  Although anxious, there was no fear – just uninformed anticipation for a long day ahead.
It was instantly clear that although competitive, most vendors shared a sense of camaraderie, and were open to talking with me and …

Just as a boy becomes a man when he picks up his first BB Gun, so too have I entered the EMS Industry with the arrival of my first trade magazine addressed to my name.  Of course, I live by the motto of “go big or go home” and so it was only fitting that two would arrive, and that they would be the extent of today’s mail.
A little over a  month ago I applied for membership with IEEE and joined a variety of societies pertaining to my line of …