Reviews (6)

Good resource, but only if you want to build his kit
I bought this book thinking it would tell me how to program my own robot, and maybe how to make one from scratch. It just tells you a little bit of the basics, them moves on how to build the robot on his site. But it is an excellent book if you can afford his kit and dont want to move on to anything very advanced.

Got me started into robotics
This book pretty easy to understand.Most others I looked at were too focused on one area or didn't show me how to actually get a real robot.I was reluctant to spend the money needed to buy a robot but finally did and it's awesome.I've added the light sensor and the camera with the movable head so far.This is my new hobby and its cool!
Awesome Book For The Robotics Beginner
Totally cool book!!!!!This is the first book related to robotics that I ever read.It's what got me hooked on robotics.I'd recommend this to any robotics beginner.Packed with helpfull information, this book is a no-questions-asked must-get!!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automation    2. Robotics    3. Science/Mathematics    4. Technology    5. Technology & Industrial Arts    6. Technology / Robotics   

Reviews (3)

From an Industrial Practitioner of Process Measurement & Control
The advent of powerful and friendly integrated software has moved Advanced process control (APC) from the realm of consultants into the arena of the average process control engineer. The obstacles of infrastructure and special skills requirement have started to disappear and we are poised for an accelerated application of APC.
Practical & Theory of Advanced Control
Excellent resource for those seeking to bridge between traditional control and Advanced Process Control. It is easily read and understood. For each topic there is the recommended practical approach, followed by examples: followed by a concise theory section. The CD is an excellent tool for improving skills and extending the understanding of APC. There are several topics coverd by this book and they are covered very well. Chapters 2 & 3 as well as Appendix D (Top 20 Mistakes Made Today & Every Day for the Last 40 Years) are exceptional value and the price of the book is covered by these chapters alone.

A practical guide to Advanced Controls
This is a fantastic book for someone who is interested in implementing an advanced controls project, but may have been intimidated in the past with the complex math, tools, etc...The first two chapters have a about 1000 years of practical experience in the proper use of final control elements (valves, transmitters, drives, etc...). Highly recommended! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automation    2. Engineering - General    3. Production & Operations Management    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Technology    6. Technology & Industrial Arts    7. Automatic control engineering    8. Instruments & instrumentation engineering   

Reviews (3)

Great book to utilize technology as a nonprofit
This book has helped me tremendously in my strategy on how to create a solid technology plan.Joni confirms the idea that technology is more than just a tool, it is a way to acheive your mission as a nonprofit.Technology is a necessary part of life now and instead of just buying it and making it work, you should first sit back and think it through.This book will help you do that. Outstanding resource for all nonprofits
This is a superb guide to technology planning that will be a valuable addition to any nonprofit's management toolkit.I work in the nonprofit technology field (full disclosure--I know Joni personally), and I'm recommending this to everyone I know.I'm even buying copies for friends who work at other nonprofits.Based on Joni's experience leading dozens of nonprofits through the Silicon Valley program of the same name, "Wired for Good" covers every topic a nonprofit should consider in the course of developing a technology plan, and it's filled with real-world examples and worksheets readers can use themselves.It's written in an engaging, conversational style that won't intimidate non-techies, but it also tackles complex topics in a way that experienced users will find rewarding.Despite the rapid pace of technological change, the book's insightful and comprehensive approach to tech planning guarantees it a long shelf life.

Very useful for all nonprofits
Wired for Good is a wonderful resource that is long overdue and a very welcome addition to the nonprofit community. Too many nonprofits focus on operational technology planning - what computer to buy and what software to put on it. Those nonprofits who take the next step and plan strategically for technology are the ones who reap the organizationalbenefits technology can bring, while the others only tread water. Read more

Subjects:  1. Automation    2. Business & Economics    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business/Economics    5. Information technology    6. Nonprofit Organizations & Charities    7. Nonprofit organizations    8. Planning    9. Business & Economics / Nonprofit Organizations & Charities    10. Business strategy    11. Non-profitmaking organizations    12. Technology: General Issues   

Reviews (2)

MotownBlue
Useful overview for users of Oracle's Java IDE.Most useful for n-tier development with Oracle's database & application server.Not as useful for 2 tier or desktop developers.

This Book is the Authorative Handbook - Highly Recommended!!
Related quotes from Bass, T., Intrusion Detection Systems & Multisensor Data Fusion, Communications of the ACM, pp. 99-105, Vol. 43, No. 4, April 2000:Read more

Subjects:  1. Automation    2. Engineering - Electrical & Electronic    3. General    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Signal Processing (Communication Engineering)    6. Technology    7. Technology & Industrial Arts    8. Communications engineering / telecommunications    9. Electronics engineering    10. Signal processing    11. Technology / Engineering / Electrical   

Reviews (8)

Good book
I liked the "Humanoid Robot" book a little better, but this book helped avoid some of the pitfalls from building a creature, without spoiling any of the fun.

Way Cool! :-)
I read this book, I loved all the way through!!!!
Great Book!
This book fills a gap often missing from robotics books and plans, especially for those interested in robotics that go beyond the desk top rover. The mechanical info is very good and covers just about every topic that you will need in order to build a larger more rugged robot chassis.Read more

Subjects:  1. All terrain vehicles    2. Automatic control    3. Automation    4. Mobile robots    5. Robotics    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Technology    8. Technology & Industrial Arts    9. Technology / Robotics   

Reviews (4)

Mechatronics: best of the best
Just as the book cover implies, Mechatronics is a field which combines between several disciplines, including Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science. The book serves as a mile stone for the student or practicing engineer new to the field, whether coming from a mechanical or electrical background.
Junior or Senior this is the book for Mechatronics
This book is a good start for someone who is new in the field of mechatronics and also it is a good reference for someone who is practicing the field. I can say that there is a lot of effort spent in this book as it covers the details of all aspects. Starting from the control theories and it is application, Passing by the analysis of motion transmission mechanisms and hydraulic systems which starts really from the basics the same as basic electronic components, electric actuators, sensors and microcontrollers which allows engineers from different disciplines to understand how does control systems work, Ending with different logic controllers. All of the above subjects are provided with a lot of illustrating examples and practice problems which is a good practice for under grade and graduate students level as well as a reference for expert engineers.
Excellent book for mechatronics
This is a very well written book that deals with basics of electronics in an in-depth manner, thus, helping people like me from a non-electronics background to understand control systems easily. It covers various important topics like electro-hydraulic systems, micro-controllers, electric motors and also discusses modeling of mechatronic systems and control system design. This wide variety of subjects is dealt with in great detail.
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Subjects:  1. Automation    2. Mechatronics    3. Quality Control    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Technology    6. Technology & Industrial Arts    7. Mechanical Engineering & Materials    8. Technology / Quality Control   

Reviews (12)

too many mistakes
I agree with some of the other reviews. There is some helpful information in
Not too helpful, kind of boring.
I was really excited when I read the table of contents of this book, as I thought it was going to talk about everything I wanted to know.It turned out that it was really boring.I gave it a good try, and forced myself to push through chapter after chapter.I read, but skipped many of the experiments, because they were set up to fail, to show you how something Couldn't be done. For example, one "experiment" on the construction of a robot's frame, was glueing pipe cleaners as joints between 2 tubes of cardboard.It went on to build a whole cardboard tube man, just to show it wouldn't stand up.Needless to say, I'm glad I didn't spend my day constructing that, as I would not have learned much about robotics.I couldn't tell if this was for kids, because it got somewhat complicated.I did buy it in a University bookstore though.
Didn't get a PCB Board
It's hard to give an objective review, as I didn't get the PCB Board with this book. I emailed McGraw-Hill, going to see why it didn't have one.If I can't get any help there, I'm going to contact Amazon about this....
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Subjects:  1. Automation    2. Robotics    3. Science/Mathematics    4. Technology    5. Technology & Industrial Arts    6. Technology / Robotics   

Reviews (3)

Poorly edited, bad layout
I have read through this book cover to cover twice in an attempt to tease out gems of insight. The information is there, but the extremely compact writing style and poor layout make the endeavor difficult. In addition, the examples are very superficial. When I've got a question about SystemC I consult the LRM (IEEE 1666)and I rarely go back to this book.

This is the best beginning SystemC book out there
Before this book had come out, there were only a couple SystemC books available, and after reading them both, I still had no real grasp of how to write a basic program in SystemC.This book basically connected all the dots for me, and I was able to start writing a testbench in SystemC.For the best beginner's regimen, read this book cover-to-cover a couple times and get the "SystemC Golden Reference Guide" by Doulos for use as a syntax reference when you are actually writing your code.

Complete but overly complicated, needs editing
This is a good book on SystemC, but it is not a good book for beginners.The book is overly complicated and provides levels of detail in its examples that are unnecessary to make the point or teach the subject.
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Subjects:  1. Automation    2. C++ (Computer program language    3. C++ (Computer program language)    4. Programming - General    5. Programming Languages - General    6. Science/Mathematics    7. System design    8. Technology    9. Technology & Industrial Arts    10. Donovan    11. Systems analysis & design    12. Technology / Electronics / Circuits / General   

Subjects:  1. Automation    2. Electronics - General    3. Science/Mathematics    4. Technology    5. Technology & Industrial Arts    6. Telecommunications    7. Automation of library & information processes    8. Computer Communications & Networking    9. Postal & telecommunications industries    10. Technology / Engineering / Electrical    11. Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, Veterinary Science   

Subjects:  1. Automation    2. Computer Programming    3. General    4. Machine-Tools    5. Machinery    6. Numerical control    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    9. Technology    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Technology / Engineering / Mechanical    12. Tool making   

Reviews (1)

A Good Beginners Guide
A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is basically a PC that has been specially adapted for use in industrial control circuits. That's basically, and basically means that a lot of the same electronic circuitry is used in both systems. Having said that, the PLC has a lot of differences in the way they are built, PLC's have to operate in filthy, hot, electrically noisy environments that would kill PC's.
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Subjects:  1. Automation    2. Electronics - General    3. Microprocessors    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Technology    6. Technology & Industrial Arts    7. Electronics & Communications Engineering    8. Mathematics and Science    9. Technology / Engineering / Electrical   

Subjects:  1. Artificial Intelligence - General    2. Automation    3. Computer Vision    4. Control systems    5. Engineering - Mechanical    6. General    7. Medical / Nursing    8. Robot vision    9. Robotics    10. Robots    11. Science/Mathematics    12. Technology    13. Computers / Computer Graphics / General    14. Image processing: graphics (static images)    15. algorithmic learning    16. autonomous agents    17. camera-equiped robots    18. cognitive systems    19. intelligent agents    20. machine learning    21. mobile robots    22. object recognition    23. robot navigation    24. robust control   

Reviews (4)

The best book on 16F84
This is an excellent and detailed explanation of how to use the 16F84 and is also a good read. I liked all the historical bits. It makes the subject less dry.
The Quintessential PIC Microcontroller
It would be difficult to elaborate all the issues with the book, however the one that caused the most frustration is the use of what could be described as a cross between descriptions expressed in something like biblical or Shakespearian English. This author needs to consider using the English of the day and not words like "...whilst..." . The author also tends to ramble about things that just don't apply to the subject. After going through this book I feel as though I have been lectured, not instructed.It would be impossible to recommend this book to anyone who's intent is to truly understand the subject matter.

Completed Reference
I am fairly new to the PIC world. While trying to pic (pun intended)out a suitable MCU book I came across this particular book. This is a great reference book for both advanced and begginers. I also purchased PROGRAMMING AND CUSTOMIZING PICmicro MICROCONTROLLERS by Myke predko. The combination of these book had me writting softwre and building complex circuitry in no time. I was able to build a small robot which uses the following:Read more

Subjects:  1. Automation    2. Computer Bks - Communications / Networking    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computers    5. Computers - Communications / Networking    6. Engineering - Electrical & Electronic    7. Networking - General    8. Programmable controllers    9. Automatic control engineering    10. Computers / Networking / General    11. Digital systems    12. Embedded control    13. Microcontrollers    14. Microprocessors    15. PICs   

Reviews (11)

Good on the other side of the author's idiosyncracies
Ah the philosophical musings of Chris Crawford...
Lots of hand-wringing and hand-waving, little substance
Having just finished Jef Raskin's disappointing "The Humane Interface", I looked forward to reading this one. After all, Chris Crawford is a legendary game designer, whose Balance Of Power I played to death in the Eighties. Here was someone who should be able to (a) engage me and (b) show me some novel ways to think about software design in general and interactivity in particular.
A Gold Mine of Ideas
This book is a very diffcult read. Touching on a whole lot of subjects, alternating between abstract, complicated theory and abundant, confusing detail, and displaying Crawford's usual Thesaurus-o-holic writing style, it is sure to leave you scratching your head in bewilderment a couple of times.
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Subjects:  1. Automation    2. Computer Animation    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computer interfaces    5. Computers    6. Computers - Desktop Publishing    7. Interactive & Multimedia    8. Interactive multimedia    9. Multi-Media Hardware & Software    10. Multimedia    11. Programming - General    12. User Interface    13. User Interfaces    14. User interfaces (Computer syst    15. User interfaces (Computer systems)    16. Computer Programming    17. Computers / Computer Science    18. Computers / Desktop Publishing    19. Computers / Interactive Media    20. Computers/Programming - General    21. Technology/Automation   

Editorial Review

If you believe the children are our future, you're only half right. Photographer Peter Menzel and journalist Faith D'Aluisio traveled around the world interviewing researchers who want to jump-start our evolution by designing and building electrical and mechanical extensions of ourselves--robots. Their book, Read more

Reviews (17)

AMAZING BOOK--Race to build first intelligent robot.....story of
A totally amazing and beautiful book-- I know some reviewers were turned off by the cover which is totally realistic and a bit bio looking for some...but the robots are coming and many are going to be in the biotech area to start with so I think the cover is appropriate...anyway....of course robotics is part of our life and most of our products and services anyway - from the black box in your car to auto factories where they do precision work over and over 24/7/365 to the next generation of prosthetic limbs-- even my dad has a robot knee....You've seen them in the movies where they do the intelligence and GPS tracking....like spiders, crabs, and bugs they whirl around walls, floors and climb with ease....The name of course comes from Homosapiens and then combining it with Robots -- thus Robosapiens....the book is by award winning juournalists Peter Menzel and Faith D'Aluiso and includes hundreds of photos of robots, pioneers and even field notes...it's a field guide to our mechanical future according to the cover notes...Sir Arthur C Clarke says "this is one of the most mind-stretching and frightening books I've ever read...the images reveal a whole new order of creation...about to come into existence...no one who has any interest in the future can afford to miss it!...from the 6 inch long Unibug -- who looks SOOO real to a robotic articulated hand from a German Aerospace Center...looks at such leaders as Hugo de Caris of Starlab in Belgium who it says hopes to become known as the father of the Artificial brain....to Hondo's first walking robot P3 to of course the Mars NASA Jet Propulsion robot Rocky 7 on the Red Planet...Will we be replaced by robots-- my guess is it's more likely we will ASSIST robots or they will ASSIST us -- but lets watch to see that the brain in the box is not us -- like in the old Sci Fi movies....fabulous book -- amazingly up to date since it was published in 2000 -- gorgeous-- [...]

Image on the cover has to go, Covers works by Garis, Pister, Brooks, Inoue, Hirose, Furusho, Schaal
Hugo de Garis (Artifical Brain)
Terrible fears and high hopes
In Karel Capeks 1920 play "R.U.R." a factory populates the world with worker robots, meant to relieve humans from the hardships of work. But unfortunately the robots end up revolting against their masters, finally wiping out the human race.Read more

Subjects:  1. Artificial Intelligence    2. Artificial Intelligence - General    3. Automation    4. Engineering - Mechanical    5. Individual Photographer    6. Intelligent control systems    7. Photo Techniques    8. Photography    9. Robotics    10. Robots    11. Technology & Industrial Arts    12. Computers / Artificial Intelligence   

Subjects:  1. Automation    2. Chdl (Computer Hardware Descriptive Language)    3. Computer Architecture - General    4. Computer Books And Software    5. Computer Engineering    6. Computers    7. Computers - Languages / Programming    8. Digital Computer Hardware    9. Programming Languages - General    10. Computer architecture & logic design    11. Computers / Computer Architecture   

Reviews (6)

Even better than it predecesor
If Definitive Guide was wonderful this one is even better. Even better than it predecesor
If the Definitive Guide was wonderful this one is even better. Extreme Mindstorms ... Extremely Excellent
Want to take your Mindstorms creations to new hieghts?Go beyond RIS?The ya have to get this book, a follow up to Dave Baum's Definitive Guide to Lego Mindstorms.You will not only see more NQC programming, but pbForth as well, and an excellent section on constructing your own sensors.If your the kid who doesn't grow up, an engineer at heart, and the owner of more than one RIS set because you are obssessed with Lego Mindstorms, then you cannot do without adding this book to your collection. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automation    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Programming    4. Computers    5. Design and construction    6. Engineering - Mechanical    7. Popular works    8. Programming    9. Programming - General    10. Robotics    11. Robots    12. Technology & Industrial Arts   

Reviews (17)

Excelent Introduction
This book is an excelent introduction to robotics and to electricity basics; but I recomend if the user has knoledge of electronic read stiquito avanced experiments, it will be much interesting for the user.

Great Project
A good book to learn robotics for everyone especially those with computer and engineering background. Nonetheless others with enthusiasm, and willingness to experiment would find that this book is unique and excellent in its approach . What makes this book as an excellent introductory reading, is that it comes with kit. Once you've read about stiquito, you can go ahead and build one for yourself. What kind of stiquito personality you want to build will depend on your creativity and willingness to experiment. It also teaches you how to write program to control simple robot using easy to get resources. Robotics is fun indeed.

A good introduction
This introductory Stiquito book is well suited for educators and hobbyists that want an easily realizable robot.Read more

Subjects:  1. Automation    2. Engineering - Mechanical    3. Industrial Robotics    4. Robotics    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Technology    7. Technology & Industrial Arts    8. Technology / Robotics   

Reviews (6)

High BEAM's
I am just investigating BEAM for some physical computing course work and was pleased by the straighforward nature of the examples and explanations of what it takes to make your own "bugbots".
Beautiful & Simple
As a graphic designer by trade, I dabble in building robots. The BEAM philosophy for building robots is really quite amazing because the focus is on reuse of discarded electronics while striving to make your robots look as asthetically pleasing as possible. The strength of this work is that now everybody may build a robot easily and quickly.

Great book
This book is very well done. The photos are phenomenal, the mechanical diagrams are very consice and exact and the subject matter is explained very well. The only reason I give it a 3-star rating is because all of the material is available on the internet for free - although I do like having the book on my shelf. I don't agree that the simple beam technolgy will stand the test of time because what they call a "nervous network" is actual just a simple analog sequence generator and cannot be programmed to allow the robot to do practical work. If you want to have some control over what your robot is going to do, then you need to get a book that explains the use of microcontrollers. Try a book by Myke Predko. Definitely buy this book though!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automation    2. Design and construction    3. Popular works    4. Programming    5. Robotics    6. Robots    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Technology    9. Technology & Industrial Arts    10. Technology / Robotics   

Subjects:  1. Automation    2. Engineering - Electrical & Electronic    3. Engineering - Mechanical    4. Programmable Controllers    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Technology    7. Technology & Industrial Arts    8. Automatic control engineering    9. Computer Programming    10. Technology / Electronics / General