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Title: Hardware Hacking Projects for Geeks by Scott Fullam ISBN: 0-596-00314-5 Publisher: O'Reilly & Associates Pub. Date: 01 November, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.67 (3 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Guide to "Better Hardware Hacking"
Comment: I'm not really a "geek," nor do I play one on TV. But after looking through a book like this, I might just be motivated to try and become one. This book is one that appeals to the "mad scientist" in all of us, the one that is always looking for ways to build the better mouse trap or the perfect home "do it all device." While some of us less "handy types" would be better off not coming anywhere near this book, there are enough projects listed here that even someone with little or no hardware experience would find at least a handful of projects doable. Projects like the "Macintosh aquarium" or the laptop PC power supply. In fact the book is divided into Basic and Advanced Hacks and techniques, so if you've started off with a couple of the basic projects finished, you can move on to more advanced ones. Very cool.
And for each project, there is a graph for project cost, time and difficulty on the beginning page. For some projects, there's a list of what items you will need. There are also extensive step by step instructions for each "project," along with drawings, photos and diagrams. You'll love this book if you're one of those people who loves taking apart products and trying to "improve" upon their original design.
Rating: 4
Summary: Funky and cool
Comment: Was it Peter Pan who said "never grow old"? Because this book is for a select few. The ceaseless tinkerers who never left their childhoods. The common theme thru all the projects Fullam describes is one of hands on experimentalism. Enthusiasm is a more important prerequisite than technical background or skill. Electronics naturally pervades more examples. But simple stuff, and he even has explanations of how to read the colour coding of resistors. There is a modicum of software, because these days, even for hardware purists, you can rarely totally ignore software.
Perhaps what Fullam should do is consider an advanced sequel to this book, if the latter is well received. Those who enjoy the projects here may appreciate something more challenging. There is a burgeoning field of people using mini ITX systems for all sorts of crazy off the wall stuff. These ITXs are full computer systems, reduced to the basics of motherboard with cpu, memory and disk, all for a few hundred dollars. Hobbyists are putting them into funky mobile applications. From Fullam's expertise shown in this book, he is well qualified to take your tinkering to the next level.
Rating: 5
Summary: This is a really fun book!
Comment: Contents
This is a fun guide to hardware hacking projects from beginners to gurus.
The book is divided into three parts:
Part 1 - Basic Hacks, Tools, And Techniques - How To Build A Portable Laptop Power Supply; How To Build An Aquarium Inside A Macintosh; How To Hack 802.11b Antennas; How To Build A PC Water-Cooling System; How To Hack A Furby (And Other Talking Toys); How To Hack A Video Periscope For Your Car
Part 2 - Advanced Hacks, Tools, And Techniques - How To Build A Digital Video Recorder; How To Hack A Building-Size Display; How To Build A Cubicle Intrusion Detection System; How To Build An Internet Toaster; How To Build A Home Arcade Machine; How To Build A Remote Object Tracker; How To Make RC Cars Play Laser Tag; How To Build A Wearable Computer; How To Build An Internet Coffeemaker
Part 3 - Appendixes - Schematic Capture Software; Communication; Easy-to-Use Microcontroller Boards; Power Sources; Resources; Index
Review
I'm a software guy, not a hardware nut. To me, plug and play has been a godsend. But every once in awhile, I wish I had the chance to play around with wires and such. I'd like to be able to hack together something cool just to say I could do it. And with this book, I now have the chance.
Scott Fullam has put together a fun volume of projects that span the range from rank beginners to people who read schematics on a daily basis. Each project is rated for cost, time requirements, and difficulty. Based on that, you can figure out whether or not the project is one you can reasonably expect to complete based on your skill level. There are some basic instructions on tools and reading schematics, but I think that you'd be better off if you come into the project with at least a little background knowledge beforehand. You could probably figure out the easier ones, but the advanced projects will be out of your reach. Where applicable, each project also lists a bill of material and schematic drawing that will make it easy for you to get the items you need to build your dream device. There are numerous illustrations and photos to keep you on track, so if you're a visual learner you're in luck.
What do I see myself doing from this book? The portable laptop power supply is a definite possibility, along with the hack for the 802.11b. I've got to imagine it's a geeky status symbol to have a soup can antenna attached to your laptop when you're sitting at the local Starbucks. I could also see the monitor aquarium being a fun project with the kids. I'm sure they can teach me something... J
Conclusion
If you're a true hardware hacker, you'll love this book. If you're a hardware hacker wannabe (like me), you'll still find projects you can do while being entertained by the possibilities.
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Title: Hardware Hacking: Have Fun While Voiding Your Warranty by Joe Grand, Ryan Russell, Kevin Mitnick (Editor) ISBN: 1932266836 Publisher: Syngress Pub. Date: 01 January, 2004 List Price(USD): $39.95 |
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Title: Wireless Hacks by Rob Flickenger ISBN: 0596005598 Publisher: O'Reilly & Associates Pub. Date: 15 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: 123 Robotics Experiments for the Evil Genius (TAB Robotics) by Michael Predko, Myke Predko ISBN: 0071413588 Publisher: McGraw-Hill/TAB Electronics Pub. Date: 23 January, 2004 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Spidering Hacks by Kevin Hemenway, Tara Calishain ISBN: 0596005776 Publisher: O'Reilly & Associates Pub. Date: 01 November, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Windows XP Hacks by Preston Gralla ISBN: 0596005113 Publisher: O'Reilly & Associates Pub. Date: 22 August, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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