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62 Projects to Make with a Dead Computer: (And Other Discarded Electronics)
 
 
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62 Projects to Make with a Dead Computer: (And Other Discarded Electronics) [Paperback]

Randy Sarafan (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

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Book Description

February 11, 2010
Computer hacking takes on a whole new meaning when you're going at it with a screwdriver and hammer: announcing the most wildly inventive, eco-friendly craft book on repurposing everyday objects since Generation T. Except in this case the raw material isn't a T-shirt, but the stuff we all have lying around and have no idea what to do with, or even how to get rid of properly—your old cell phone, a broken printer, irredeemable iPod, busted digital camera, mysterious thatches of cables and wires, orphaned keyboards, and of course, those dead PCs and laptops.

Created by a Parsons design graduate who’s obsessed with navigating the intersection of art and technology, here are 62 ingenious projects that are irresistibly geek-chic. An iMac Terrarium—how cool is that? A laptop Digital Photo Frame. The impressively green Scanner Compost Bin. Plus a power strip Bird Feeder, Walkman Soap Dish, My First Squiggle Bot, Qwerty Hair Tie, Flat-screen Ant Farm. Each project has complete, step-by-step instructions, is rated by difficulty—in a thorough first chapter the author covers all the tools and skills needed to take apart electronics safely—and is arranged by use, from stuff for the house, to fashion, toys, arts and crafts, items for pets, and more.

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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Don't trash it -- Transform it!

It's irresistible geek chic: 62 projects with step-by-step instructions for repurposing old computers, cell phones, scanners, mp3 players—even that nest of useless cables and drawerful of meaningless remotes. There are fashion projects: RAM Money Clip, Capacitor Earrings. Arts and crafts projects: Mouse Pencil Sharpener. Gadget goodness: USB Destop Fan, Postindustrial Nightlight. And great toys, like My First Squiggle Bot and Mr. Resistor Man. Includes the basic tools and techniques for working with electronics and a full-color insert that shows the finished projects.

About the Author

Randy Sarafan is a new-media artist who is currently a Virtual Fellow with the cutting-edge F.A.T. (Free Art and Technology) Lab; is a top project contributor and community manager at Instructables.com, the leading user-generated how-to website; has contributed to Make magazine; and creates projects with a unique style and an eye for fun (a breathalyzer microphone, water-gun alarm clock, USB-enabled fruit). He graduated with honors in the Design Technology program at Parsons School of Design and lives in San Francisco.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 252 pages
  • Publisher: Workman Publishing Company (February 11, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0761152431
  • ISBN-13: 978-0761152439
  • Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.9 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #144,353 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

7 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Good stuff!, February 16, 2010
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This review is from: 62 Projects to Make with a Dead Computer: (And Other Discarded Electronics) (Paperback)
The first few pages contain information useful for a "new to electronics" person--things like resistor color code and what to do with capacitors.

While there is a temptation to consider this a manual for electronic scavengers, I think it works on a couple of deeper levels.

First, it opens the door to electronics as an art form; you can take old parts and create something that doesn't use electricity at all. You can make things that are useful or just interesting. All things don't have to have a practical function--or be beautiful. Conversation pieces are good for--conversation-- (something we may have to work harder at as face to face communication is replaced by electronic gizmos).

Second, this book makes us think about all the good stuff that we throw away just because it gets erratic or outmoded.

To sum it up, this is a good book for the artist, for the electronic beginner or the person concerned about trashing things rather than finding a new purpose.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining look at recycling with a light hearted outlook, March 7, 2010
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This review is from: 62 Projects to Make with a Dead Computer: (And Other Discarded Electronics) (Paperback)
After being told for many years "what are you going to do all that stuff" I found an answer in this book. I have been in electronics since 1970 in high school and have "collected more than my share of items "needed to be fixed". This book makes a step towards the answers. Many of the "projects" are silly, but I guess that is the point. IT CAN ALWAYS BE USED. Turns out it is a great coffee table book for the geek in me.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars 62 Projects is a totally awesome book!, February 1, 2010
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This review is from: 62 Projects to Make with a Dead Computer: (And Other Discarded Electronics) (Paperback)
This book is such a fun read! I purchased it for my mother because it looked very interesting. The author is whitty and very creative. We keep it on the coffee table and it's quite a great conversation piece! I'd highly recommend it.
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