Classic Lego Mindstorms Projects and Software Tools: Award-Winning Designs from Master Builders [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Kevin Clague (Author), Mario Ferrari (Author), Miguel Agullo (Author), Guilio Ferrari (Author), Doug Carlson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 5, 2006 | ISBN-10: 159749089X | ISBN-13: 978-1597490894 | Edition: 1

This Book/DVD kit meets the growing demand from Lego Mindstorms fans for additional projects that can be built from their existing Lego Mindstorms kits. Over 40 new projects will appeal to that dedicated segment of the Lego audience that are committed to the RIS 1.x and 2.x standards.

The book contains seven complete "Master" projects that illustrate how great design, planning, mechanical engineering skills, and programming can create stunning and award winning projects.

The DVD contains instruction for over 40 projects in Adobe PDF form, a full suite of Lego software tools, and RCX/NQC code files.

The projects range from the simple to the sophisticate, and are perfect for self-learning.

* Complete new set of projects for the RIS 1.x and 2.x

* This Book and DVD package delivers a complete kit, perfect for team projects as well as those individual building

* packed full with award winning designs that will inspire any Mindstorms fan

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mario Ferrari received his first Lego box around 1964, when he was 4. Lego was his favorite toy for many years, until he thought he was too old to play with it. In 1998, the Lego Mindstorms RIS set gave him reason to again have Lego become his main addiction. Mario believes Lego is the closest thing to the perfect toy. He is Managing Director at EDIS, a leader in finishing and packaging solutions and promotional packaging. The advent of the MINDSTORMS product line represented for him the perfect opportunity to combine his interest in IT and robotics with his passion for LEGO bricks, which started during his early childhood. Mario has been a very active member of the online MINDSTORMS community from the beginning and has pushed LEGO robotics to its limits. Mario holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Turin and has always nourished a strong interest for physics, mathematics, and computer science. He is fluent in many programming languages and his background includes positions as an IT manager and as a project supervisor. Mario estimates he owns over 60,000 Lego pieces. Mario works in Modena, Italy, where he lives with his wife Anna and his children Sebastiano and Camilla.

Product Details

• Paperback: 504 pages
• Publisher: Syngress; 1 edition (November 5, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159749089X
• ISBN-13: 978-1597490894
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,417,404 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars This is not a NEW book!, January 15, 2007

By 

Martin Daly (London, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classic Lego Mindstorms Projects and Software Tools: Award-Winning Designs from Master Builders (Paperback)

The publisher's blurb suggests that this is a book containing a number of NEW projects but it is really an EXACT reprint of "LEGO Mindstorm Masterpieces: Building and Programming Advanced Robots" with an updated cd. Although the cd includes PDFs of a few other books it does not include the cds shipped with those books so you are better off buying the books themselves, and the chances are that if you are looking to buy this book, you already have those other books. Similarly, the cd includes some software for drawing LEGO diagrams, etc. but offers no information on how to use these programs effectively so you could just as easily download the software and find guidance on using it on the internet. Unfortunately, the software that is provided does not include any of the programming tools or alternative firmware installs available to enhance your robot's behaviour. Overall, if you do not already own a copy of "LEGO Mindstorm Masterpieces" then this book is worth the money, but if you do, consider yourself warned.