Picking a part for your design

• What is your process for selecting a part for your design?
• What is your preferred method of learning about electronics?
• How would you make the process of selecting parts for your design easier?

The Return of the Cat Feeder Unreminder

• Experimenting with the AEM10941
• User Interface changes? 
  • Segmented LCD 
    • VI-422DPRCS
  • Driver? 
    • Need 3VAC - 6VAC
    • Made an oscillator with a 4049 hex inverter
    • More power reduction? 
      • CD4047 oscillator, mxshift from slack says it will pull around 20uA
      • Comparator in a oscillator configuration, metacollin says ~1uA