Awesome opensource projects

Without an assortment of open-source software, I wouldn't have been able to build this site. Here is a partial listing of the software I have found useful.

Python

A fantastically useful scripting language for many different applications.

MySQL

An open source database. Hands down, one of the best tools for researchers I have come across.

Django

A wonderful framework written in Python to help ordinary people make wonderful websites.

jQuery

Great set of tools for javascript.

Tablesorter

Best tool around for sorting tables on website.

About

In 2010, I got tired of trying to find the best products by visiting every vendors website I could think of. I decided that there had to be a better way to do things. Taking some hints from the electronics component site OctoPart, I set out to build a master catalogue of optical components. I wanted something that offered comprehensive product listings, but it also had to offer more. My inspiration is McMaster. Here is my list of requirements:

Simple to use

I want something that loads fast, and is straightforward to use. If there is something that requires more than 2 seconds of thought, I am not doing my job.

Lots of good reference material

There should be a lot of supplemental information available, like, "What is the impact of spherical abberation on these optics?" Or, "What is the effective transmission through an optic?"

Easy to see when vendors release new parts

Part of my job requires that I keep up to date on new product offerings. But, there is no way I am going to go to every vendor to find out what's new. When I perform a search for a component, I want a system to let me know that there are new components available.

Focused on component value, not price

Price isn't the determining factor for all components. They need to be good, too. I don't want a system that only rewards the vendors that promote low-cost components that don't meet my needs.

Designed around decision making

The bottom line is this -- A decision needs to be made about a component purchase. I need something that is designed around how people make purchasing decisions. I have often seen web interfaces driven by marketing needs rather than what it takes to make a decision about purchasing.

If you like what you see, great! I am glad I helped. If you want to give back, just contact your favorite vendor and tell them that listing their catalogue is free.

You may have also noticed that I offer consulting services. This was really a follow on once the part database started to get big. I figured, since I have a nice catalogue of parts, why not offer some premium services that use it?