Customer Reviews

Controlling The World with Your PC

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This book goes straight in to code, no connections or words about interface. Although he has lots of projects and lots of code, including a disk, unless you know how to use cable connections from board to PC or PC to whatever you are trying to control (he has a motor project) then you will be wasting your time with it. If you are adventurous or know how to connect, then the book is generally pretty good. Has 40 projects which vary quite a bit and the circuit schematics for some projects also. But definitely not for a beginner.

If you do want to controll devices with your computer, this book is what you need. Because of this book I learned a new computer language (Pascal). I have built the circuit on page 238, and it works great, and now I can see how my programs work. I highly recommend it.

Controlling the World With Your Pc covers a vast array of interface topics, from stepper motors to alarm systems to Analog interface. The text is clear and straitforward with useful discussion of the circut and the accompanying program. The programs are well documented so only a rudimentary knowledge is necessary to get through the examples, and some programming tecniques can be learned just form the examples. The book gives enough information to facilitate further developement of custom interfaces based on those in the book, or those that are completely origional

Paul's book was not written for those lacking experience in the areas of both electronics and programming. This book ties those fields together very nicely. I really wish I had a copy of this book earlier in my life as it is truly a goldmine of information. The code in this book is for MS DOS, *NOT* MS Windows. Windows handles the parallel port kinda funny and this code is for direct access (which Windows doesn't like). This means you can't run the code in a DOS window. I've adapted some of Paul's code for use on Linux (minimal rewriting) and for control of many laboratory instruments and data logging gear.

Paul's book was not written for those lacking experience in the areas of both electronics and programming. This book ties those fields together very nicely. I really wish I had a copy of this book earlier in my life as it is truly a goldmine of information. The code in this book is for MS DOS, *NOT* MS Windows. Windows handles the parallel port kinda funny and this code is for direct access (which Windows doesn't like). This means you can't run the code in a DOS window. I've adapted some of Paul's code for use on Linux (minimal rewriting) and for control of many laboratory instruments and data logging gear.

has so much usefull info in it, source code on a disk, what more do you need. Lots of handy curcuits.

This book is a little outdated now. It is hard to find a computer with a parallel port or serial port. Still, it is a great learning tool if you have the hardware to support it. I have owned this book for several years and still go back to it as a reference from time to time.

I haven't read more than the first chapter (online sample), but it looks interesting. The ... has the pdf version available for about [$$$] if you are interested. I couldn't find it at ... either! 5 stars, but I only saw the online first chapter too. Looks like it would be a good book for anyone planning to interface their PC printer port to electronics.

This book is bad. It is poorly written and the programs did not work on my computer. Even the first project--intended as a simple confidence-builder--required that the code be completely rewritten. Deciphering the author's programming was maddening. Also, some of the projects are dumb: is anyone *really* going to build a burglar detector from this book?

I can't say anything about the book since I haven't gotten/read it. But I can tell you that trying to order the "eBook" version online from LLH is an insanely complicated and frustrating venture. Don't waste your time and risk your sanity!