101 Ways To Promote Yourself: Tricks Of The Trade For Taking Charge Of Your Own Success

Book Description

You may have the most outstanding business, product, idea or talent in the world, but in order to be successful, you have to let the world know about it. Raleigh Pinskey offers you a crash course on how to get the attention you need. 101 Ways to Promote Yourself reveals the insider secrets learned from years of experience and how these low-cost, high-powered techniques can carry you to the top of your market and beyond.

Find out how to:

Develop hot new leads
Project a positive image
Get your name in front of potential customers
Promote instant name recognition
Hold on to valued customers
Build on your success by cultivating referrals
Position yourself for greater visibility in your market
Grow and expand your network and database
Explore media opportunities
Market effectively on the Internet
Create goodwill in your community

Customer Reviews:

Very good marketing book.......2007-09-22

I found this book in my local library and was pleasantly surprised by all of the great ideas. I read a lot of marketing books, and this one ranks very high on my list because the tips are concise, practical, and there's so much to choose from. Each of the 101 chapters is just a few pages long and at the end there is a list of resources if you need more information. I especially liked the info on writing articles, letters to the editor, and your own column. The chapters on creating or sponsoring awards, contests, or events were also informative.

This book was published in 1999, so a few chapters need an update (i.e. internet marketing). But overall, I highly recommend this book. I will be purchasing a copy for myself and using it for reference in the future.

GREAT BOOK!.......2006-09-30

This is a great book packed with useful information. Easy to do, low-cost and effective techniques will get you to the top. Warning: Success requires action! Just do it!

Quick, Easy and Applicable.......2006-08-12

This book is a quick read packed full of great ideas. While none are unique or amazing in and of thmselves, they really spark your imagination and help you think about your marketing differently. Of course no business is going to be able to use all of the suggestions, smart businesses will figure out ways to use as many as possible. I try to pick this book up at least once a month and read a section. Whatever it says, I try to find a way to use that to promote my business or one of my clients. As far as I am concerned, this is a must read for every business owner!

21 out of 101.......2005-10-22

Most of 101 ways to promote yourself comes off as filler. While all of these are ways to promote yourself, an individual would realistically be able to use 21 of them. The others seem to not apply, or are so obvious and logical. But Pinskey does cover alot of ground and as a reference to trigger some idea or things to thing about, it may still be worth the price.

From 101 to #1 Is The Only Way To Promote Yourself.......2005-05-23

Raleigh Pinskey, makes it nearly impossible for you to fail in promoting yourself using this book unless maybe by chance you apply the following three methods

1.) You accidently put this book in a corner and can't find it.
2.) You close your eyes and can't remember where you put it.
3.) You use this book as a hat rack.

Well I didn't try anyone of the above techniques because I was too busy trying to read this book.

Raleigh is truly a Viz-ability coach who knows her stuff. On page 76 she tells you to "Sponsor A Contest", pg 212 she informs you to use Testimonials, pg 21 put your picture on a business card and promote yourself some more and last but not least she gives you 98 fresh, interesting, exciting other ways to get started on your self promotion mission.

Pinskey provides all the little bitty tid bits necessary for you to move from the rank and file of the average into the upper board rooms of the highly exalted. Pinskey's book roars with detailed steps and a caring that you rarely see in a tell-all-book like 101 Ways To Promote Yourself.

Book Description

Classic career counseling models have focused almost entirely on practical methods with little attention to the feeling aspect of the career. In an attempt to move beyond these models, Anna Miller-Tiedeman presented New Careeringr, an innovative approach that advocates a theory of life, not job, as career. Miller-Tiedeman's model focuses on the career theory of the individual by addressing both the logical and emotional aspects of the career. New Careeringr is based on the principle of flow, and uses as its foundation ideas from a broad range of theories including, but not limited to, quantum physics, Bohm's notion of wholeness, and Self-Organizing Systems Theory.

Learning, Practicing, and Living the New Careering presents a theoretical overview of conventional career counseling philosophies, then examines the New Careeringr model in comparison to these. This volume does not dismiss traditional career theories, but instead illustrates the symbiosis between conventional wisdom and personal reality. A concise explanation of Miller-Tiedeman's model is followed by case studies and discussion points through which counselors and counseling students will learn practical application of the theory of New Careeringr.

This ground-breaking text is ideal for use in classes as it includes end-of-chapter questions, suggestions for stimulating class discussion, and ideas for homework projects. It is appropriate for beginning counselor education courses, as well as career classes in other disciplines. It is also of interest to career counselors and other mental health workers who address the challenges of transition.

Customer Reviews:

Learn, Practice and Live, Indeed!.......2001-08-05

This book by Miller-Tiedeman is a fascinating 'read' from both the academic and everyman perspective. The broad range of attributions from many different disciplines is both impressive and generous spirited while the down-to-earth examples are pr actical, focused and grounding.

Jungians could read this book for its empowering and containing principles (pages 61-80) of living life-as-career. Miller-Tiedeman's principles bring Jung's theoretical constructs into everyday, concrete and therefore,workable guidelines.

Teachers and students could read this book for its clarity of layout, suggestions for deepening the teachings as well as broadening the awareness.

Last, but far from least, Oprah Winfrey and her legions could read this as a primer for embracing the spirit. Thank you, Anna Miller-Tiedeman.

Book Description

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has updated their recordkeeping requirements for the first time since 1971. This results in a significant number of changes for every employer with ten or more employees, which can often cause confusion and failure to comply. OSHA 2002 Recordkeeping Simplified goes beyond the explanation that OSHA supplies to provide an easy understanding of these new requirements.

OSHA 2002 Recordkeeping Simplified provides an easy to follow format that allows all those in charge of recordkeeping to comply with the updated standards. The book follows the standards as OSHA provides them and adds commentary in order to explain and simplify. Jim Roughton provides a comparison of the old standards to the new to allow for an easier transition.

The text is divided into several major subject sections. First the requirements are addressed to outline new elements compared to the current requirements. Next the supplement information for each subject area is divided into several parts: The first part reviews the relevant sections of the requirement and provides the basic concepts of how recordkeeping works; the second part provides answers to most frequently asked questions about recording and reporting of occupational injuries and illnesses. These questions and answers elaborate on the basic recordkeeping concepts and are further defined in each section. In addition, a series of flow diagrams are used to track the flow of the standard and examples of citations are offered through case histories.

A simplified user's guide to the 2002 OSHA record keeping requirements

Provides answers to frequently asked questions

Offers case histories of citations

Average customer rating:

Not just a gift book!

Hysterical

funny, no nonsense advice for singletons everywhere

Not just a gimmick

The Bubbelah Factor
Natasha Glasser
Manufacturer: M Q Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 1840729708
Release Date: 2005-10-11

Book Description

No one gives better, or more frequent, advice than a Bubbelah. Like a good bowl of home-made chicken soup, this comforting blend of humor and wisdom provides warmth and nourishment to today's single woman on the go. The book combines old school wisdom with a modern outlook, covering such topics as: 'Get Your Hair Out of Your Face' Hair, Clothes, Make-Up, and Other Things That Shouldn't Matter But Do; 'You Are What You Eat When You Think No One's Looking.'; 'There's Someone Out There for Everyone, but First You Have to Get Off the Couch.' 'Dating, What Else' 'See How Pretty You Look When You Smile!', 'Where Will People Sit?' 'Entertaining and Other Reasons to Keep Your House Clean; 'You Can't Take It with You' 'Unless You Can Afford to Pay Someone to Carry It' 'Finances, Career, and Other Sources of Anxiety'.

Customer Reviews:

Not just a gift book!.......2006-08-22

Bubbelah factor is a well written and fun read. Part self-help and part hyterical life observations, it really kept me interested and entertained.

Although it is full of fashion faux-pas, entertaining no-nos, and dating disasters, the message at the end is real and optimistic.

Enjoy!

Hysterical.......2006-01-13

This book was witty, inciteful, and just brilliant. You must buy it.

funny, no nonsense advice for singletons everywhere.......2005-12-02

I was given this book as a gift. Although it is for the singleton readership, which I am not a part of anymore, it gives the kind of advice that an old friend might give. Sure there's laughs, but the book makes sure to laugh with us and not at us. A good read.

Not just a gimmick.......2005-11-29

This book seems like an impulse buy, but it is not just a gimmick. It is really funny, like Nora Ephron or Fran Liebowitz funny! And it has great practical advice on everything from dating to fashion -- but it doesn't hit you over the head with it. I laughed out loud a bunch of times. A really great gift for single girls with a sense of humor. Also, FYI, I don't think you have to be Jewish to "get" this book. It is funny for everyone.

Book Description

"Anyone who can dial a telephone can learn to play popular piano quickly and easily."

So says Norman Monath, author of How to Play Popular Piano in 10 Easy Lessons. His no-frills, no-drills method will have you playing simple tunes within 30 minutes -- even if you don't know one note from another.

The secret? Learning the basic chords and how to adapt them. With lots of clearly illustrated chord examples, keyboard diagrams and practice pieces ranging from "Silent Night" to "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head," Monath teaches you:

* the basic structure of music

* how to alter the basic chords for creative accompaniment

* how to read tunes from sheet music

* how to improvise

* how to play by ear

* how to create your own playing style -- whether you lean toward pop, blues, jazz or rock

For everyone from rank beginner to experienced virtuoso, this step-by-step, uncomplicated guidebook makes learning to play popular piano the easy and enjoyable experience it should be.

Customer Reviews:

Fast & Easy Piano.......2007-06-09

My first venture into piano lessons and I have enjoyed it. Using basic chords I was playing nice sounding music in no time; not the one finger tunes. I recommend this to anyone who wants to play the piano and sound good from the start.

Learning to Play.......2007-06-08

I feel that though the book makes learning seem easy, there is still a lot of work to be done by the individual to learn the piano. It does however break learning into easy steps, and is a great tool for the person who would like to take a more laissez faire attitude to learning, or who cant afford a teacher just yet.

It has also helped me rekindle my interest in playing. Nice idea indeed.

Go for it! I mean it's not going to come to you! ;-).......2007-05-09

I think the reviewer Doc Jellison and I would get along famously because from his remarks, we share the same musical philosophy. Let me lay the cards on the table here. If you're familiar with my reviews, you'll note two things: I'm a staunch traditionalist by nature and if I sit down to play Beethoven's Op. 27, No. 2, 1st movement "Moonlight Sonata" or as Herr 'B' termed it, "Sonata Quasi Una Fantasia" , it will be exactly note for note as the man wrote the piece --- WAIT NOW! KEEP READING!--- because on 'that' piece, it simply sounds better 'as written' or 'sic' than any so-termed 'arrangement' or 'easy play' [you know, the RH A-D-F thing and the LH twin D keys ] versus all those multiple sharps and LH/RH gymnastics but, I say BUT, having said that and somewhat to the chagrin of certain 'purist' colleagues, I see absolutely nothing wrong whatsoever for those folks who are inclined for "whatever" reasons to lean towards so-termed piano "chord playing" or those ubiquitous "fake books" or "easy play arrangements" as an ad hoc work-around. Bottom line, chord playing, 'arrangements', fake books, hey, SO WHAT!

If you can play a 'rendition' or indeed an 'arrangement' of "whatever" song or indeed any classical piece that first and foremost pleases YOU, that's all that matters! As long as 'you' accept the fact that going the chord route or using fake books will not give you the sound of an Evgeny Kissin or Daniel Barenboim or, hey, Billy Joel or Dave Brubeck or 'whoever' where the name is mentioned in the musical genre you like and you don't go "WHO?" --AND-- your thing is 'not' to do world wide recitals or gigs for equal compensation, hey, I don't see any problem!

It's a matter of expectations and realities. For reasons that escape me, the fake books or those 'chord-player' or 'arrangement' books have received the bad rap a la mode as if to say with the nose in the air thing, 'THAT is not 'true' piano playing' or, I've heard even worse, "it's a veritable KAZOO methodology by way of using piano chords" -- so what? And you're getting this comment from a traditionalist who makes every attempt and effort to play the classic pieces 'sic' but there are those 'sic' pieces that are simply too difficult in their 'sic' original form, sooooo, I have no qualms whatsoever in reaching for a handy "arrangement" or 'fake book' of the piece when necessary. Does it surprise you to learn of classical piece fake books? But again I ask and say, especially when they might be needed, so what?

I keep hearing from various and sundry who would like to play the piano or do the portable keyboard thing, "Ohhhh, I'd love to play the piano, Doc, but I'm 'too old' [!] to start now" --- BOSH! You are NEVER too old! Get that one set in stone as your 'first' order of business. So too, there are ways around the laborious and often frustrating years of learning notes, ledger line notes [when the "Every Good Boy .... " or "FACE" or "ALL COWS EAT GRASS" jingles won't work with ledger notes, sight-reading skills, you-name-it technical skills but if your essential goal is playing for self-enjoyment and personal pleasure, I see nothing wrong with the chord approach to piano OR those fake books or easy play arrangements! They abound! Question is, why is that! Ahhhh! What does that suggest to you!

Believe me, from 'there', you just may reach the point where further incentives will be provided by YOURSELF to get deeper into it and hence provide your own motivation for what some term the "correct way to play" syndrome but again I stress, what is your goal, a Carnegie Hall recital, what, the Van Cliburn 'pro' [if under 30 BTW] or Van Cliburn 'Outstanding Amateurs' [35 and over] competition? Or is it in fact the enjoyment of the piano and keyboard using an approach that can get you going and perhaps spur you on to the nitty-gritty side of the piano and much deeper musical theory and playing technique as you progress! Would it surprise you to learn that I've seen renditions of even classical pieces that sound very good yet the player can not read music! Or, if it's ledger line notes, forget it! Ohhh yes!

If the keyboard appeals to you and, get this too now, you're into putting in the time and effort to sound decent even with the chord approach and fake books [contrary to popular belief they are 'not' all push-overs!] , well, what are you waiting for! Or those just as ubiquitous 'arrangements' [some of them even in the original key but much easier on the "LH" [Left Hand] as they say] when certain classical [or whatever mind you] pieces appeal to you but the original 'sic' music is simply too difficult, so, take another approach! These books will not hurt you and again I emphasize that I've seen cases where the chord or fake book approach has in fact led to determined efforts [to the extent possible] to tackle the 'sic' stuff albeit within reason.

I had a lady tell me after she did a fake book rendition of Beethoven's "Für Elise" , to wit, "You knew it wasn't as written, didn't you, Doc?" to which I replied "my reaction was as it was 'played' and it sounded fine! But, let me ask 'you', did the rendition [LH 'chords'] satisfy YOU?" and when a sort of head nod affirmation came, hey, case closed! Who is to say that the piece 'as written' won't be a future goal but until then, what or where is the problem! Play! Enjoy! Sic ... or work-around! Do 'your' expectations first versus those of others and their expectations 'of' you!

Obviously I'm addressing myself more to the 'adult' piano beginner but then more time may be available now to do that which you always wanted to do and there is generally more than just 'one way and only one way' to reach one's goals! Get the book! Start! 'Then' you deal with the realities and progress as YOU deem appropriate! Think the old football sports show filler, you know, "You Make The Call!"

... an 'ultra purist' whose motto is "each piece as written ... or not at all!" faints dead away forthwith after reading this!

Doc Tony

PS: And you 'electronic synthesizer' types, think the "FAME" flick, you know, Mr. 'S' sees Bruno Martelli "setting up" the gear and says to the lady pianist sitting just next to him, "Does he want to be a musician or an airline pilot!" ;-) What's that? You say you got the 'bends' reading this far below the standard short/succinct review, but, hey, while I plead nolo contendere to any 'length' critcisms forthwith, it had to be said! Fake books, arrangements and chord-playing books have their benefits and 'can' most decidedly lead to further efforts and enhanced playing skills! How so? Progress! Enjoyment! Desire for more ... and better! Motivation! YOURS! BTW, those "How to Use a Fake Book' tomes, 'do' check out Ann Collins and Blake Neely! Or various arrangements [classical] by Charles Bateman and a host of mixed bag stuff [popular, folk, jazz, religious, R&R, easy listening "arrangement books" by various folks and, when you perhaps want to tackle the sic 'as written' pieces, fine, but until then ... PLAY!

textbook for college piano class.......2007-02-11

I am an associate professor with San Diego Community College Continuing Education. For 10 yrs. I have taught music classes for older adults. I am using "How to Play Popular Piano in 10 Easy Lessons" as a text, along with a fake book entitled, "Your First Fake Book". Most of my students are seniors and don't want to spend the 5-7 years it takes to learn to play a moderately easy piece of sheet music. Monath's book doesn't even require learning bass clef. Instead it teaches chord theory. With this approach, there is only a melody line with chord symbols. My students learn left-hand accompaniment patterns, using chords, rather than what some arranger has provided in the bass clef. They also learn how to provide harmony in the right hand using the chord symbols provided in a fake book.

This is the fourth textbook I have used and I will probably never try another as Monath's book allows me to meet all of my course objectives--and in one semester.

Hal Jellison, PnD

Piano Playing in 10 Easy Lessons.......2007-01-31

It's a book that I now have read three times, which has provided me with the best understanding of learning how to play the piano, then all the former lessons that I have ever taken.

The sequential format between theory and practical is outstanding.

In just over a month's time, I now can play and understand the music selections that have collected in my piano bench for many years.

Being able to do just that, is "A dream come true"

How to Play Popular Piano in 10 Easy Lessons

Average customer rating:

How to Play Popular Piano in 10 Easy Lessons
Norman Monath
Manufacturer: Fireside
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OSKP94

Customer Reviews:

Great All Around War Gamer's Guide to Miniature Gaming.......1998-12-19

Donald Featherstone is the dean of wargames books. This book contains a treasure trove of details, facts and rules features for every type of wargame and period available. Especially pleasing are the margin boxes that contain unique gaming recommendations such as how to simulate the fog of battle or courier dispatches. These are worth the price of the book alone. This guide is a must for new and experienced gamers alike. I refer to it again and again!!!

Average customer rating:

Featherstone's Complete Wargaming
Donald Featherstone
Manufacturer: David & Charles
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GLBTHG

Book Description

Take a geek and a PC, add one soldering iron, a home, and a copy of Home Hacking Projects for Geeks, and you'll give new meaning to the term, "home improvement." From fearless neophytes to tool-wielding masterminds, the home hacker in any geek will find new inspiration and plenty of hands-on guidance to take on a variety of home-transforming projects once relegated to the world of sci-fi. This fun new guide combines creativity with electricity and power tools to achieve cool--and sometimes even practical--home automation projects. Never again will you have to flip a light switch when you enter a room or use a key to open your front door. With a few off-the-shelf devices, some homemade hardware, and a little imagination, you can be living in your own high-tech habitat. Home Hacking Projects for Geeks shows hackers of all ability levels how to take on a wide range of projects, from the relatively small but energy-conscious automating of light switches, to building home theaters using Windows or Linux-based PCs, to more complicated projects like building home security systems that rival those offered by professional security consultants. Each project includes a conceptual diagram, a "What You Need List" and a small "Project Stats" section that describes the relative difficulty, time involved, and cost of the project. What's more, each project is a workable, practical way to improve your home--something unique that you can customize for your individual needs. The thirteen projects in Home Hacking Projects for Geeks are divided into three categories: Home Automation, Home Entertainment Systems, and Security, and include projects such as:

Remotely Monitor Your Pet
Make Your House Talk
Remotely Control Your Computer's MP3 player
Create Time-Shifted FM Radio
Watch Your House Across the Network
Build a Home Security System

If you've ever thought the Jetsons had it made, or looked around your house and thought, "I could make that better " then you're ready for Home Hacking Projects for Geeks.

Customer Reviews:

One big commercial for X-10... the product.......2006-01-21

Nothing in the splash page, back cover or anywhere with info letting you know it is almost 100% about the X10 hardware. I already own a house full of X10 stuff, so the fact that I wasted money on this book burns my soul. Not one thing deals with how to set up, rig or configure any of the projects without having to spend money on whichever X-10 product will do the job. If I wanted that I would just buy the product and read the installation guide that comes with it.
The author suckered me into buying the book... don't let him sucker you!

Interesting but nothing innovative.......2005-12-15

A great deal of the projects in this book are basically various forms of X10 module automation. The projects include how to automate a light with motion sensing, how to remotely monitor your pet, creating a whole house audio or time shifted audio, a keyless entry system, and intrusion detection and deterrence. For each project the items are detailed, the software described in detail, information is included on where to locate them, assembly instructions, scripts, and everything else you need to complete it. Only basic skills are needed for each project. Each project includes information on estimated cost, time and difficulty ratings so you can easily decide which ones you will tackle and which ones you may not want to. Home Hacking Projects for Geeks is recommended to anyone wanting to have a little fun with home electronics.

Fun but not completely original.......2005-03-16

Home Hacking Projects for Geeks is a really fun book to read which also provides instructions on how to perform some very interesting home improvements. This book reminded me a little bit of O'Reilly's other book "Smart Home Hacks", only the hacks in this book are not all specifically smart-home related. In any case, some of the hacks in the other book mentioned are also found in this book. "Home Hacking Projects", however, does contain some fun projects I haven't seen anywhere else.

Some of the more interesting projects in this book include how to remotely monitor your pet, creating time shifted radio, and how to make your home talk. One thing I really enjoyed about this book is that examples are provided for both a Linux and Windows environment. Additionally, configuration information is provided for your router, if the completed project is to be accessible from outside your home network.

While there are some projects included in this book that you might find elsewhere, this book does an excellent job of providing clear and detailed instructions, including wiring diagrams (if applicable), screen shots of configuration information, and a lot of other things that make the successful completion of these projects much more likely. You'll have a blast automating your home with this book.

integration.......2005-01-28

The cover of the book deliberately harkens back to a retroness of some earlier decade. The 70s perhaps. The projects discussed are however of quite recent vintage. One useful improvement in this book, over earlier ones in this series, are the visual slider estimates at the start of each chapter. There are 3, for cost, time and difficulty. Gives you another handle to quickly assess what you might tackle.

Many projects revolve around integration. How to build some hardware electrical gadget and hook it up in some fashion to your computer. So that the computer can get data from it, or control it. The software components of these projects is kept very minimal. The authors are clearly aware that the likeliest readers are hands-on folks. Who might think that there's already too much software in the book.

Great, but definitely for geeks.......2005-01-24

This is the kind of book I wish I would have had as a kid. A book that sparks your imagination about how you can use hardware and software to do practical and cool things. In this case to build little home helpers, like a TiVo for radio, a home theatre IR controller, a home theatre PC, and more.

The book spends about 300 pages on thirteen home hacks. They are separated into three parts; automation, entertainment and security. Each project starts with a list of materials then walks through a very detailed explanation of building both the hardware and software.

This is definitely a book for geeks. Specifically the type of geek that finds themselves at Radio Shack more than a couple of times a month. Certainly part of the value of the book is in the projects themselves, but a lot more of the value is in it's inspirational quality.

Geek House: 10 Hardware Hacking Projects for Around Home (ExtremeTech)

Average customer rating:

Not realistic
Great Project Frameworks and Ideas

Geek House: 10 Hardware Hacking Projects for Around Home (ExtremeTech)
Barry Press , and Marcia Press
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Hacking | Business & Culture | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Network Security | Networking | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Entertainment Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Home & Garden Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

All Amazon Upgrade | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Computers & Internet | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Entertainment | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Home & Garden | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0764579568

Book Description

* From the garage to the living room, Geek House provides hackers with 10 PC-based hardware hacking projects that are not for the faint of heart!
* Taking the DIY mentality to a whole new level, this book teaches techies how to hack, customize, and modify everything-from their sprinkler systems to the temperature of their barbecues
* Adventurous readers will feast on such projects as installing a bar code inventory system for DVDs or CDs, converting RS232 to wireless, scheduling recording from any television in the house, and creating a remote control finder
* Companion Web site includes the custom software and source code needed to power these geeky creations

Download Description

"* From the garage to the living room, Geek House provides hackers with 10 PC-based hardware hacking projects that are not for the faint of heart!
* Taking the DIY mentality to a whole new level, this book teaches techies how to hack, customize, and modify everything-from their sprinkler systems to the temperature of their barbecues
* Adventurous readers will feast on such projects as installing a bar code inventory system for DVDs or CDs, converting RS232 to wireless, scheduling recording from any television in the house, and creating a remote control finder
* Companion Web site includes the custom software and source code needed to power these geeky creations"

Customer Reviews:

Not realistic.......2005-08-06

I'm interested in X10 projects as well as other home automation projects throughout the house but I thought this book was a little out of tune to what you realistically would do. I was captured by measuring the temperature of a grill and adjusting the heat. This is showing you a control for a "smoker." Other items you can easily find on the internet such as X10 devices, sprinkler control, etc.

Great Project Frameworks and Ideas.......2005-05-03

This book is by the authors of PC Toys. The PC Toys projects are relatively easy to implement and spoon feed the reader all the material needed to complete the toys.

I think this is an excellent book. I'm very comfortable with software and coding, but not that great with electronics.

This book is more ambitious, provides good road maps for the different project areas, but the book is written with the intent of the reader branching out and developing their own solution. My interests are X-10 and Wireless based projects.

The companion website provides alot of source code that can be tweeked, or rewritten for your own particular project.

Negatives: not for beginers, could be insufficient for "experts". These statement may be contrary, but instructions lack detail for a complete novice. At the same time, if you have a particular interest in a given area, this book might not be providing you with anything new.

Check out the contents before buying to ensure your going to get a book that gives you the amount of detail you need. A look at the contents page and a quick skim should help decide if it is right for you.

If you liked PC toys, could manage the projects and want something more challenging the chances are you'll like this book. I think it's an excellent source of inspiration for projects.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books