Wi-Fi Toys: 15 Cool Wireless Projects for Home, Office, and Entertainment (ExtremeTech) [Paperback]

Mike Outmesguine (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764558943 | ISBN-13: 978-0764558948 | Publication Date: June 18, 2004 | Edition: 1

• This ultra-cool volume invites readers to tap into your inner geek and build seventeen ultra-cool wireless devices including a solar powered access point, a wireless picture frame that dynamically changes its own photos, and even a wireless car-to-car audio and video system
• With a few simple tools, some off-the-shelf parts, and this book, readers will be creating wireless devices they never thought were possible-toys that certainly can't be found at the local computer store
• Written by the cofounder and members of the Southern California Wireless Users Group, this book provides readers with hands-on instruction and insider tips and tricks from those who are on the bleeding edge of wireless technology
• New addition to the ExtremeTech line of books-books for serious technophiles

Editorial Reviews

Review

“…capture that sense of physics experimentation class and draw your curiosity in…” (Linux Magazine, February 2005)

“…well written, generously illustrated and sure to spark the imagination of Wi-Fi tinkerers everywhere…” (PC Utilities, August 2004)

"The cable building chapter alone justifies purchasing this fascinating book. I'm trying the Car-to-Car WiFi Video project next!" (Jim Sutton, Wireless Tech Radio)

From the Back Cover

The world's gone wireless–here's where it starts to get fun

Wireless is all about freedom–freedom from cables, cords, plugs, and limitations. So why be limited to ready-made, cookie-cutter products? This book frees your imagination as it helps you create 15 exciting, individual projects using wireless technology. Each includes the necessary background, a list of materials, and step-by-step, illustrated instructions. Build a custom antenna, set up a car-to-car video link, or Wi-Fi your TiVo. Wardrive with Netstumbler and map your results. It’s your freedom. Make the most of it.

The Toys

Each with a complete materials list and detailed, illustrated instructions.

1. Wi-Fi antenna cable
2. Laptop paperclip antenna
3. Directional tin cantenna
4. Modified access point using high-gain antenna
5. Setup for a wardrive
6. Netstumbler wardriving
7. Wardrive mapping
8. Personal outdoor access point
9. Solar-powered wireless repeater
10. Free wireless hotspot
11. Access point gaming
12. TiVo with Wi-Fi
13. Long-distance Wi-Fi link
14. Car-to-car videoconference link
15. Dynamic wireless digital picture frame

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (June 18, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764558943
• ISBN-13: 978-0764558948
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #417,868 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Geeky Wi-Fi Goodness, June 29, 2004

By 

hang10web (Midwest, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wi-Fi Toys: 15 Cool Wireless Projects for Home, Office, and Entertainment (ExtremeTech) (Paperback)

I was hoping that this book would help me boost my Wi-Fi signal around the house, since the reception downstairs is a little weak. Well, it did show me how to boost my signal - for up to 20 miles! Ok, seriously, long distance wi-fi is one of the 15 projects in this book, but my solution was actually in building the high-gain antenna project in chapter 4, which did indeed solve my reception problems.

The book is very well written, and has plenty of photos to guide you along the way. The projects are definately cool, and there are plenty to keep us geek types busy.

If you are using wireless networking, I would encourage you to take a look at this book.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELENT BOOK - EASY TO FOLLOW - BRILLIANT A+++, July 27, 2005

By 

Thi P. Cortaza (GoldCoast, QLD AU) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wi-Fi Toys: 15 Cool Wireless Projects for Home, Office, and Entertainment (ExtremeTech) (Paperback)

I have been toying with the potentual of Wifi and its various applications over the last 12 months. This book illuminated areas that i never thought were possible to the average person.

Within one week of the arrival of WIFI toys i had begun building a WIFI hotspot in my area using the details in Chapter 10 - Creating a free wireless hotspot. The hardest part of it was setting up the Linux system (Linux is free!!) but after following the instructions and purchasing a few inexpensive parts on Ebay i had a hotspot running for all my neighbours.

The antenna pages are superb and make it easy to follow and build out of next to nothing. Range extension, Selfpowered repeaters (yes you heard that right).
I even loved the final chapter 15 - Making a wireless Digital picture frame (Woww - cheap and easy).

overall this is a fantastic book with tons of insight into the mysterious and invisible world that surrounds us every day. Weather your into Wardriving (searching for wifi) or building cool toys this book will make you the envy of the neighbourhood when you drive down the road with wireless video link between you and your freind car.

Great book, well worth the read.

31 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No WarChalking, August 20, 2004

By 

W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wi-Fi Toys: 15 Cool Wireless Projects for Home, Office, and Entertainment (ExtremeTech) (Paperback)

If the author had come of age in the 1920s, he'd have been one of those radio hobbyist freaks. Endlessly tinkering with his antennas for that little extra gain. Not unlike what goes on in this book! He writes for the hands on hardware gadgeteer.

WarDriving gets a lot of space here. Partly because if properly done, it is such fun. Finding all these often open WiFi nets, that are invisible to all the mundanes around you. That is probably what has driven its popularity. Being able to see what most miss.

Other topics are also covered, like long distance WiFi. Here, surprisingly, WiMax is not mentioned at all. Instead, the author talks about extending your standard WiFi apparatus. Oh well, still early days for WiMax.

One reassuring detail. No mention at all about WarChalking. This is basically an urban myth/prank that became a meme. Actual WarDrivers rarely, if ever, do this. Helps his credibility that he omits it.