[sdiy] Need advice some diy advice as a beginner

[Benjamin]

Hi all,

I  recently started out with stuff from analogue systems UK... I got so 
fascinated by those modular synths I ventured into the world of diy synths.

Then I stumbled on lists of parts & searching of those parts... man, are 
they one hell of a time consumer... :p
So I would like to have some advice from the guru's here :-D

- Do you have a couple of websites you can advise me to order special 
stuff for Europe like : thermistors or special types of ic's for instance ?

Most of the general stuff I seem find on  : mouser.com and conrad
Are those good sites or are there less expensive ones...
Any other good sites you can advise me to order parts in small quantities ?

- I've also started creating a stock list in an openoffice spread sheet 
so I can do a quick lookup of what parts I already have.
How do you guys keep an inventory list of electronic parts ?

- I need some Mylar capacitors, is there an alternate name for them, 
can't seem to find mylar cap's in stores.

- I'm a bit lost concerning potmeters...
You always need em with diy synths of course, but there are soooo much 
of 'em... What are the types/brands you guys advice me to buy (Europe).
  I found out they are one of the most expensive parts in diy synths, so 
I'm not willing to order lots of em to find out I ordered crappy ones 
once I start using 'em...


thx a bunch !

Benjamin
the junior diy'er :-D