Customer Reviews

Linux Toys II: 9 Cool New Projects for Home, Office, and Entertainment (ExtremeTech)

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

 

 

Chris Negus is an excellent writer and one of the most knowledgeable Linux people to be found. He wrote "Linux Toys" in 2003 and he is the first to admit that it is now completely outmoded. "Linux Toys II" was published in 2005 and in only four years, it is showing its age. A testament to the rapidly evolving Linux and electronics worlds to be sure, but something of a disappointment to anyone hoping to expand their knowledge of Linux through the creation of practical projects.

The projects didn't require any great smarts to begin with: all the software needed was provided on the DV bound with the book.

Additional hardware was required for some of the projects and it is a pleasant surprise to how the prices of components have declined. For example, "Creating a Personal Video Recorder with Myth TV" was projected to cost $943. Today with a much more powerful CPU and bigger hard drives, the project would cost substantially less. But the reality is that MythTV is a far less appealing project today than it was yesterday because DVRs have become so commonplace. Also, the MythTV software has changed considerably.

The "Customizing A Live Linux Pen Drive" project was reasonably applicable in 2005. Today, directions for doing this project are everywhere and the process itself has become simplified as more publishers have adapted their software to flash drive.

Other projects such as setting up an Internet Radio Station and controlling X10 devices would have little appeal to most people.

Like I said, Chris Negus is an excellent writer, so there is something that can be learned from this book currently - but there is nothing here that can't be found in other books or on the web. I bought a used copy for a few dollars on Amazon, so I don't feel like I've wasted money. Still, having breezed through the book once, I don't think I'll be reading it again.

Jerry

Slightly out-of-date, but the nuts and bolts of the content are enlightening and stimulating. If anything, the possibilities are exploding as GNU/Linux supports more and more devices and plays better and better with the non-Linux world. I want to get the first edition purely for the ideas and design processes that are discussed.

Only criticism (again, age-related) is that the included Distro (Damn Small Linux) - while still handy and relevant - is no longer active and you might want to employ a different distro(s) for your projects. TinyCore is the heir apparent to DSL, but with all the cheap memory and processor power, you can use just about anything you want.

Great book!

This book is filled with GREAT information for anyone interested in working with various 'toys' for Linux. I was privileged in being part of a class presented by Tom Weeks in regards to MythTV (he assisted with the chapter in the book) and it is great information!

If you are interested in getting the latest information for various additions to your Linux box, then this is a must-have. If you are even interested in any extra features you can configure on your Linux box then you will not be disappointed!

WARNING: Your pocket book might suffer after reading this book from all the new hardware you want to buy!

This book clearly explains the details needed to accomplish all projects.

Are we supposed to believe that everybody in Texas read this book during or around January 2006 and genuinely thought it a five star book? And that somehow the book appeals only to those from Texas and mysteriously lost its appeal in February?

I have not read the book and therefore can not rank its quality. One star is for the author and his buddies for being lame. I will buy some other book on the subject out of principle.

I recently saw Tom Weeks do a Myth TV presentation where you can build your own Linux based PVR, which is covered in his chapter written in this book. This is a great resource for the computer hobbyist, amateur or enthusiast of gadget-lover! Easy to follow and fun to read!

This is a must have book for any of you Linux tinkerers out there. I never bought the first one, but will after going through this book. The projects are very cool and the instructions are easy to follow. Recommended!

Readers of this book will find it VERY well written. It appeals to everyone, from those more proficient in Linux, to those (like myself) who are still learning. I'd highly recommend this book!

You can make really useful things based on the Linux OS, and this book makes it easy! Highly recommended!