I've found a good reference for the LM317 adjustable voltage regulator. http://youtu.be/IjJWWGPjc-w is the link to the you tube video. I kept getting hung up while trying to get the 317 working, and my "Ah Ha" moment came when I realized that the schematic diagram and the actual pin-outs are not represented in the same locations. The video had a call out on this... however I was oblivious to it... but that's the way it goes sometimes.
In any case some further clicking revealed that Afrotech, the uploader of the LM317 tutorial, has a number of cool tutorials that I will be checking out over the next week or so. Also there is an afrotech tech website that warrants a closer look http://www.afrotechmods.com/.
-Eric
