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

Randy Sarafan
3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 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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62 Projects to Make with a Dead Computer: (And Other Discarded Electronics) + Unscrewed: Salvage and Reuse Motors, Gears, Switches, and More from Your Old Electronics + Make: Electronics (Learning by Discovery)
Price for all three: $45.77

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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 x 0.7 x 9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #240,907 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
(13)
3.9 out of 5 stars
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Good stuff! February 16, 2010
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
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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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By M. Urso
Format: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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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars Completely underwhelming September 16, 2012
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was not expecting such a basic, non-technical book for used computer parts. The target audience must have been preschool daycampers. When it says you'll learn to make a pencil sharpener out of a computer mouse, you'll be disappointed to find you have to go to a store and get a pencil sharpener, then stick it inside the mouse.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars Not worth the shelf space
I was very disappointed with this book. I had visions of discovering some really neat things to use electronic components for. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Carolyn R
5.0 out of 5 stars Projects
I bought this as a gift for my husband, I thought he would like this since he is a mechanical engineer professor.
Published 5 months ago by Melinda S Salus
5.0 out of 5 stars good idea book
great idea book, with lots of creative useage for the old, tured out, non working. (or working and outdated) computer items layign aorund. Read more
Published 11 months ago by iamdb
2.0 out of 5 stars What a waste of money!
I really had high hopes for this title. What a disappointment! Made up of mostly usless projects. Save your cash.
Published 11 months ago by mxcrazydude
5.0 out of 5 stars A fun read....
This book would make the perfect basis for a father son project. Nothing to difficult, but each item is cool and fun when finished. Read more
Published 14 months ago by eBook Addict
5.0 out of 5 stars Offers just what it says it will!
This book has just the right level of detail to inspire you to do cool things with (what are now ubiquitous) dead computers. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mark Bell
3.0 out of 5 stars Neat Ideas :) Not very useful though...
I bought this book for my husband's birthday. He works on computers for a living and loves to do little projects so I thought it would be perfect for him :) The book is nice with a... Read more
Published on June 30, 2010 by Caroline
5.0 out of 5 stars Great projects for the aspiring geek
I got this book as a gift for my married son. I went through and made comments on the various projects. It is a lovely book with practical, attractive projects. Read more
Published on April 22, 2010 by K. Peterson
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
This book was super useful and has a lot or projects that I want to try. Anyone with old electronics cannot live without this book.
Published on February 16, 2010 by Greg Sarafan
5.0 out of 5 stars 62 Projects is a totally awesome book!
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. Read more
Published on February 1, 2010 by Daisy
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