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Make Projects: Small Form Factor PCs (Make: Projects) |
Author: Duane Wessels
Published: 2008-04-23 |
List price: $29.99
Our price: $22.79
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As of: December 03rd, 2008 06:42:34 PM
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Customer comments on this selection.
 New Publication but Old Technology
This book was published in April 2008, but most of the projects are years old making them of much less value. All of the WiFi projects use 802.11b technology with WEP encryption (if any). At least in my household, and I assume most that this book would appeal to, this hardware wouldn't even be allowed onto the network. Some of the hardware or software versions are so old (and no longer obtainable) that the projects cannot be completed. Some scrounging around on the 'net for old parts might work, but then what is the point in building a project that is of almost no value? The authors' level of detail is generally sufficient, but other that giving me some ideas and pointers for projects (all of which I could have just as easily found on the internet), there isn't much value to this book. Sorry guys.
 Less useful than the internet
This books probably could have been answered better on a webpage. Many of the machines the authors talks about are no longer made(they admit this). They also rely on machines gifted by the companies who make them which in my eyes makes his opinion less impartial. There is little information here for those who are new to small form factor PCs and what a general overview of what to look for and how to create your own system from scratch without using the authors recipes. Seems to me if your interested in creating your own computer you might want to actually make it your own. I did get a few hints from the book on interesting software options but on the whole I feel these might just as easily been gained from a few google searches.
 Interesting projects for the creative mind
If you love to experiment and create unusual computer based projects then Small Form Factor PCs is a book that will probably be of interest to you. Using small mainboards and some creative adaptations the results are projects that vary in size from about the size of a small usb hub to as large as a shoebox. For each project you know up front the amount of time expected to complete the project and the level of difficulty. Unlike some other do-it-yourself books this one provides all the necessary details including where to buy the parts, the specific software code, software source, and lots of pictures to make sure you get it right. This is a refreshing change to books that show how to put something together but don't tell the reader where to get the hard to find parts. But the level of respect for the reader does not stop there, the book even includes tips about things to avoid and traps to be cautious of so that you end up with the result you are looking for.
There are eight projects in total with some of the more interesting ones being a digital audio jukebox, Myth TV based digital video recorder, network monitor, wi-fi extender, and a bluetooth LED sign. As is typical of publications from Make Magazine these are easy to follow and get the correct results. Small Form Factor PCs is highly recommended.
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