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Title: The Unofficial Guide to LEGO MINDSTORMS Robots by Jonathan B. Knudsen ISBN: 1565926927 Publisher: O'Reilly & Associates Pub. Date: November, 1999 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.2
Rating: 4
Summary: A treasure=trove of information, but unsatisfactory pictures
Comment: Although my enjoyment of this book is tempered by flaws in its illustrations and instructions, it is well worth buying.
The book offers a number of strong points. First, it brings together a wide range of information on MindStorms from sources other than Lego. The chapter on building customized sensors is thorough and enlightening. Throughout the book, information on user-created programming languages and environments and URLs for on-line resources are helpful.
Second, the robot designs offered by the author are fantastic. For instance, Minerva, a robot designed to pick up and return objects, has an elegant drive train that takes it straight forward but turns in reverse. It also has a forward grabber which, with one motor, both grabs and lifts. These robots are creative, educational, and fun.
However, the instructions to build them leave something to be desired. The book is illustrated with black-and-white photographs, labeled with colors where necessary, that in many cases don't provide enough contrast to easily see what has been done in the step. Additionally, there are some mistakes in the photos, showing pieces which aren't added until future steps.
Although this makes building the robots more difficult, it doesn't make it impossible, and the book's other features more than make up for it. This is indeed a worthwhile guide for anyone who wants to take MindStorms "beyond what's in the box."
Rating: 5
Summary: A Work of Art
Comment: This book is very well written and easy to read. It starts off slow and simple, and advances into programming "Behavior" based robots, which is very interesting. The chapters on custom sensors don't say that much, but they are still a good intro to homebrew sensors. If you want a compilation of tons of robots to build, buy "Dave Baum's Definitive Guide". If you want a disorganized 'Everything but the kitchen sink' book, buy "Extreme Mindstorms". If you want well written, well structured, well thought out and thought proviking, buy this book.
Rating: 3
Summary: Surprisingly poor production values for O'Reilly
Comment: Given my good experiences with O'Reilly books in the past, I was extremely surprised by the very *poor* production values in this book.
I can't figure out what parts go into the robots based on the pictures which are too dark and poorly focused.
A much better book with great pictures is "Dave Baum's Definitive Guide To Lego Mindstorms" which is also less choppy and I think explains things better.
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Title: Creative Projects with LEGO Mindstorms by Benjamin Erwin ISBN: 0201708957 Publisher: Addison-Wesley Pub Co Pub. Date: 09 April, 2001 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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Title: Dave Baum's Definitive Guide to LEGO Mindstorms (Technology In Action) by Dave Baum, Rodd Zurcher ISBN: 1893115097 Publisher: APress Pub. Date: 2000 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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Title: Extreme Mindstorms: an Advanced Guide to Lego Mindstorms by Dave Baum, Michael Gasperi, Ralph Hempel, Luis Villa, Ralph Hemple, David Baum ISBN: 1893115844 Publisher: APress Pub. Date: October, 2000 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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Title: Building Robots With Lego Mindstorms : The Ultimate Tool for Mindstorms Maniacs by Mario Ferrari, Giulio Ferrari, Ralph Hempel ISBN: 1928994679 Publisher: Syngress Pub. Date: 15 December, 2001 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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Title: Lego Mindstorms Interfacing by Don Wilcher, Matta ISBN: 0071402055 Publisher: McGraw-Hill/TAB Electronics Pub. Date: 21 August, 2002 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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