Finding "Stuff": Surfing for Unknowns with Element13

[Element13]

TL;DR

websites that are helpful to the DIY community and hobbyists.

How do you search for something if you don't know what its called?

Are there any websites that one can surf through and look for "stuff"?
I don't know how else to phrase the question but, for example; if the website sold electronic stuff it would have an Electronics menu button under which it would have a plethora of electronic "stuff", and the same would be true for other Menu Item Headings.

For years I've either created something that would work for the project I was working on or repurposed/reconfigured something that already existed, that was close enough to what I was looking for/needed; mostly because I didn't know if it existed or if it did what it would be called.

Back in the day, there were stores one could walk into and find all kinds of "stuff".
Not too long ago there was Radio Shack and Fry's Electronics. I loved Fry's, that place with the Flying Saucer and all the large ants and the aliens and stuff... Many, many years ago, so long ago in fact that I forget its actual name but I believe it was called "Diamonds". This place was a haven for hobbyist and DIY; a term that, to my knowledge, didn't exist back then.

There's this one shop in LA, they're like a surplus store for all kinds of mechanical and electronic gadgets, parts, hardware, stuff you look at and ask WTF is this; but if you knew what you where looking for you'd know what it was and if you didn't your mind would start wondering and creating all kinds of possibilities for it.

I don't know, maybe cause I'm older, but I simply enjoyed holding the thing in my hand and being able to compare it with other similar things. Yeah, yeah, I know, get over it… I'm just saying.Peace,
Element13

 

[Baluncore]

Are there any websites that one can surf through and look for "stuff"?

Yes. Google images.

Or take some good clear photos and post them here.

 

[berkeman]

Summary: websites that are helpful to the DIY community and hobbyists.

How do you search for something if you don't know what its called?

I use Google Images a lot for ideas. I can start with fairly generic/nebulous search terms, and scroll through the images to start getting other search terms that help me refine my searches to get closer to what I want. Google Images speeds up that process for me a lot, versus the text Google searches.

Not too long ago there was Radio Shack and Fry's Electronics. I loved Fry's, that place with the Flying Saucer and all the large ants and the aliens and stuff...

Yep, I'm in Silicon Valley, so I frequented Halted and Haltek and Frys and other great stores. Most are now closed, unfortunately. I do miss being able to stop by one of my local Frys Electronics stores to pick up some dangerous PCB chemicals and also grab a snack from the next aisle over...

 

[Element13]

I use Google Images a lot for ideas. I can start with fairly generic/nebulous search terms, and scroll through the images to start getting other search terms that help me refine my searches to get closer to what I want. Google Images speeds up that process for me a lot, versus the text Google searches.Yep, I'm in Silicon Valley, so I frequented Halted and Haltek and Frys and other great stores. Most are now closed, unfortunately. I do miss being able to stop by one of my local Frys Electronics stores to pick up some dangerous PCB chemicals and also grab a snack from the next aisle over...

berkeman,

Yep, I totally agree, those were the days.

Thank you for that insight, never thought about using Google's image search that way; I'm on a quest.
Again, I've learned something new today.

Peace,
Element13

 

[Element13]

Yes. Google images.

Or take some good clear photos and post them here.

Baluncore,

Thank you for chiming in.
If, and when, I'm holding something that I need a name for, I will most definitely do just that. I will also draw it and post that, if the need arises again; and I'm sure it will.

Peace,
Element13