Book Description
Written by best-selling author and instructor Jean Andrews, this edition maps fully to the 2006 A+ Exams. This full-color guide is designed to be the most complete, step-by-step book available for learning the fundamentals of supporting and troubleshooting computer hardware. Video clips are available on the accompanying CD so readers can watch the author bring concepts and technical topics to life via live demonstrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Greater seller!
My book arrived in quick time and in excellent condition. I would not hesitate to do business with this seller again. Many thanks!

Not terribly exciting, but it gets the job done.
If you plan to obtain a low-level A+ Certification, or simply wish to posses the knowledge necessary to do so, then this book is pretty much sufficient. Combined with it's sibling book, A+ Guide to Software, this book could allow one to become a relatively intermediate Windows-based PC technician. Then again, don't expect to walk away from these books an expert. A lot of technical details about troubleshooting are chucked up to common sense. The author often says things such as, "Ask questions and test for obvious errors." That's a given. But intense registry manipulation, command prompt maneuvering, and other areas of troubleshooting are barely explored. The book spends a lot of time explaining the fundamentals and technical stats of hardware. It doesn't spend a lot of time really diving into the realm of troubleshooting them.

The simplicity of the books makes them accessible to individuals who are not already very familiar with computer concepts. However, the simplicity makes them somewhat boring and unexciting to individuals with a considerable amount of computer experience. I found them useful for filling in small gaps that lingered due to many years of self-teaching.

The content of these books may not be advanced Systems Architecture, but it's still surprisingly beyond what the average user knows. I highly recommend these books for beginners who wish to break the barrier between being computer "noobs" and being fairly confident Windows-PC users and builders.

cheaper book
the book was alot cheaper online then it was in the college book store. ... Read more

Book Description
How many types of screwdrivers are there? What's the most useful pair of pliers to own? Here's a comprehensive, portable reference containing virtually every tool and product sold in hardware and garden supply stores (except plants!). It's an essential manual and guidebook for any aspiring do-it-yourselfer undertaking a home repair or garden project. The straightforward design makes it easy to find information quickly. Detailed line drawings and diagrams help identify the tool or material, and show how it's used. Includes practical tips on usage, cost, and other considerations. An incomparable resource for the homeowner! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Yes, there is a way to fix almost anything if you have the right tool!
This is a great reference book.Before I had it a week, I had solved some mysteries about pieces and parts of stuff...and where to buy them, and what they looked like!Of course, sometimes it's fun to just graze through the book and find all sorts of items you didn't know existed. If you're into home repair, or home improvement, this gem is a great addition to your how-to collection.

Two books in 1 cover
The _"Complete Illustrated Guide to Everything Sold in Hardware Stores and Garden Centers"_ (published by Running Press/Courage Books imprint, 2002) has two parts: 1: "Complete Guide to Everything Sold in Hardware Stores" (729 pages, originally published by Macmillan in 1998) and 2: "Complete Guide to Everything Sold in Garden Centers" (368 pages, originally published by Macmillan in 1990). Because they were originally published as separate books, the two sections of this book each have their own introductions, tables-of-contents, indexes, and pagination. If you see this 2002 title/edition listed as only 368 pages, do not despair - it actually has 1,097 pages. So far, all the reviews I've seen have only reviewed the _Hardware Stores_ section.

1:
I would like to add a couple of comments to colobbfan's May 22, 2003, nice review of that section.In the introduction, the author specifies that this buying guide is meant to assist your average/traditional do-it-yourself, renovation or restoration projects. He states that in this book "[y]ou will not find heavy construction materials, or professional tools, or esoteric cabinetmaking tools, or hobby materials." He also says he purposely did not include automotive, boating, electronics, home security or house-wares even though those items may appear in some hardware stores. Appendix A, "Metals and Finishes", is a glossary of 20 terms related to describing metals from "blued" to "zinc-plated". Appendix B, "Basic Tools and Materials Every Homeowner Should Have", is divided into three parts: Hand Tools, Power Tools, and Materials. Stars (*) next to some items on the list denote absolute basics one should have. The starred items would make an excellent gift to college students moving to their first apartment or home. (Don't forget that us ladies need to be self-sufficient, also! Often then index (or lack thereof) makes or breaks a reference book. This one has an excellent, easy-to-read, well-organized index with numerous cross-references. Part of the _Hardware_ section's 37-page index is included in Amazon's "Browse Sample Pages" area, so go take a look at it. The typeface of the hardware section is easy to read and the format is suitable for quick browsing.

2:
I venture to say that despite the difference in page length, the _Garden Center_ section has just as much information as the _Hardware_ section - the difference lies in smaller type with less space between lines, and fewer illustrations (they aren't needed when you are talking about different types of fertilizers, pesticides, and mulches). The Table-of-Contents is separated into three areas (Supplies; Tools Equipment & Accessories; Appendixes) with detailed headings, subheadings, and sub-subheadings (see Amazon's sample pages - since that is available I won't talk much about the different types of garden center items included). The introduction of the _Garden Center_ section states you will not find "pet supplies or farming equipment or landscaping materials [in this section]... Regular home gardening, with a slight nod to decoration is the limit." While the title states that plants are not included in this guide, Appendix A is a 7-page "General Buying Guide for Bulbs, Seeds, Plants, Shrubs and Trees." The main area of the book is chock-full of general buying tips in broad categories as well as for specific products, use tips, and descriptions of specific products. Sometimes popular brand names are listed (not as endorsement but as an aid) and where applicable other terms that may be used to describe a specific item are included.The _Garden Center_ index has much smaller type than the Hardware Store index, so you may want a magnifying glass for it. Overall, I would say that that the format of the _Garden Center_ section is less suited to browsing and more suitable for reading full sections because it includes more discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of particular products.

The arrangement of both the _Hardware Stores_ section and the _Garden Centers_ section is to group the contents as they are usually grouped in those respective stores, which makes the guide very user-friendly. My one complaint is that thumb-tabs or coloration on the page edges would have been useful to distinguish the two indexes from the rest of the book (especially since the index to the _Hardware_ section is in the middle of the book).This book is one of the best gifts I have ever received, though I wish I had discovered it 10 years ago when I first moved out on my own. I expect it to be useful in all my new home repair and gardening projects and it has already earned a prime spot on my closest bookshelf.

Nothing is COMPLETE
Steve Ettlinger writes books that are basic lists of explanations on various subjects. Such as:
*Beer For Dummies®
*The Hardware Cyclopedia (not published yet)
*The Kitchenware Book
*The Restaurant Lover's Companion:
*A Handbook for Deciphering the
Mysteries of Ethnic Menus
*The Complete Illustrated Guide to
Everything Sold in Marine Supply Stores

Like his previous books, there is just enough detail of all the gadgets, tools, and other "stuff" that you find in (duh) Hardware and Garden Centers. He doesn't spend pages on a particular item, just a simple explanation and description of it's use. Like walking through a large home center's departments, the book is broken down into ELEVEN Parts:
Part I: Common Hand Tools
Part II: Power Tools
Part III: General Hardware
Part IV: General Materials
Part V: Paints, Stains, Finishes, Wall Coverings, and Related Products and Tools
Part VI: Wood and Wood Products
Part VII: Wall, Floor, and Ceiling Materials and Tools; Doors
Part VIII: Plumbing Hardware, Materials and Tools
Part IX: Electrical Products and Tools
Part X: Masonry Materials, Products and tools
Part XI: Safety Equipment

This format with the line drawings of the items remind me of the home medical books all American homes had during the 1950's & 1960's. This is a fun book to peruse through when you can't get to your home center and I can't compare it to any other book out to inform you on tools. It isn't COMPLETE though (and never could be with as quickly as items appear in home remodeling, etc.)
...Overall a fun purchase with lots of information in a familiar format.
John Row

Excellent place to start when you don't know what to ask for
If what we've lost in the move from small neighborhood hardware stores to"big box" home centers is help and advice, this book is awonderful substitute. Describes in just enough detail all the gadgets,tools, and other "stuff" that one needs in completing home fix-upprojects.

No, it won't tell you how to build a deck. This book will,though, be thoroughly helpful in explaining everything that you'll use todo it.

didn't like it
I bought this as a gift for my husband but he didn't like it ... Read more

Book Description
Choosing hardware can be fun and creative, but selecting the right hardware for a job can be difficult, even for the most experienced woodworker. Installing it is something else again. This comprehensive book covers the entire range of hardware, including common household pieces such as locks, pulls, and handles, all presented in a straightforward style. Over 700 step-by-step photos and drawings accompanied by exacting instructions ease the installation process. Tips and quick access guides help readers find the exact information they need right away. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Good book. Lacking some details
As usual, books in this collection are well done. The text is clear and concise. The book is full of color pictures illustrating the text.

This book covers all kind of hardware from simple nail to complex hinges.
The "catalog" part of the book is well done. If covers a lot without getting too boring.

I would have given it a 5 stars rating if the information on how to install the hardware was more detailed. If you already know how to install something, reading the text makes complete sense. If you don't it is sometimes difficult with the text alone to get a good idea of the process.

Making Things Work
For the most part hardware is an unromantic subject.Frequently your options are plain and hidden away, and, unless you make your own, the fun stops as soon as you make your choices.Yet a mistake in the use or installation of hardware is often the mistake that is spotted first, easily becoming the ruin if hours of painstaking work.

Hinges happen to be my low water.I've measured, chiseled, shed blood, and excruciated more times than I want to talk about, only to find that it wasn't quite right and I had to make some devious adjustment.Settich's book may not be poetic, but it is eminently practical, and I discovered several tricks that eased the way as I read it.There are twelve sections that cover everything from the simplest nail or screw to the more arcane worlds of locks, slides, and hinges.

Lots of illustration and accompanying text reduce things into easily digestible advice that will improve your work and open new possibilities.My copy is already showing wear from numerous consultations.This really should be one of your earlier purchases in this series.

Must have
This book has far exceeded my expectations. The photos and instructions are clear, concise, and of professional quality. R. Settich presents the material in a knowledgeable and fun way. A must have resource for any workshop!

Outstanding Photos!
This book has been an excellent resource in my workshop.The photos are many and of excellent quality.The instructions are surprisingly clear... a great guide for anyone! ... Read more

Book Description

The only Cisco authorized textbook that for the IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software course from the Cisco Networking Academy Program

• New Companion Guide format complements the online curriculum with insight and instruction from Academy instructors
• A portable reference that supports all the topics in the new course, aligning 1:1 with course modules
• Features improved readability, enhanced topic explanations, real-world examples, and all new graphical presentations
• Alignment to A+ objectives

The IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Companion Guide supplements and complements the IT Essentials I: PC Hardware and Software v4.0 online curriculum offered by the Cisco Networking Academy Program.

The Companion Guide is designed as a supplemental textbook for the Networking Academy course, offering students a portable desk reference of the course content to use anytime anywhere as a study aid. The chapter content aligns 1:1 to the online course module topics, but does not merely mimic the content word-for-word. The authors present the course material in the Companion Guide in a comprehensive manner, providing their own examples where necessary to augment a student's understanding of the course material.

• Chapter Objectives as stated as questions at beginning of each chapter
• Key terms listed in the Chapter openers
• Enhanced readability for younger student comprehension
• How To Feature provides step-by-step tasks for common activities
• Key concept recaps, Check Your Understanding Questions, and next chapter previews are in a concise summary at the end of each chapter

The Companion Guide serves as an additional instructional tool for the instructor to assign take-home reading or give vocabulary quizzes to better prepare the students for in-class lab assignments.

Book Description
Fundamental principles that will keep you on the cutting edge!

Most computer  architecture books are just too technical and complex. Focusing on specific technology, they often bypass the basics and are outdated as quickly as technology advances. Now, Irv Englander's gentle-but-thorough introduction to computer architecture and systems software provides just the right amount of technical detail you'll need to make successful decisions in your future career.

The text covers all the basics in an accessible, easy-to-understand way. Organized in a form that parallels an actual computer system, entire sections are devoted to principles of data, hardware, and software, with computer interconnection, clustering, and networking integrated into the material to emphasize the importance of computer and system structure. Assuming only basic knowledge, these sections build up to an in-depth understanding of each topic and how they interrelate to make up a computer system.

With this Third Edition's outstanding features, you'll be able to build a solid foundation for success on the job.

• All chapters have been thoroughly updated to reflect current technology.
• Revised with even clearer discussions of virtual storage, the operation of memory, and modern CPU architectures.
• Programming examples are written in a C++/Java-like pseudocode.
• Emphasizes the computer aspects of clustering and networking, rather than the data communication aspects.
• Provide an understanding of underlying, non-changing basics of computers, so that you can make knowledgeable decisions about systems.
• Introduce new technological concepts without overwhelming you with too much detail.
• Examples cover a broad spectrum of hardware and software systems, from personal computers to mainframes.
• Integrates discussions of hardware and software throughout, and explores the symbiosis between them.

Customer Reviews (9)

Confusing and hard to understand
As others have pointed out, this is definitely not a book for beginners. But what's worse is that its not very well written. The phrases and sentences are sometimes confusing. While some appear to be good examples, usually they are not well explained. I hate to be this harsh, but the book often has sentences for the sake of having sentences! I would not recommend this book to anyone other than someone who wants a quick reference of IS architecture. There are other books that do a better job of explaining this subject.

Bridging the Gap
As a student taking a technical look at computers from a non technical background this book dances the fine line of too little detail, and being too technical.I recomend it highly, and use it frequently as a reference around the office.

Too hard!
The is the required textbook for one of my papers( i was doing Software Engineering program), I found it is hard to understand and there are few example, even if there are some examples, i just cannot understand,quite confusing! I finally gave up that paper and changed to another program :P
Maybe you should find this book quite easy.
It's not my cup of tea though!

Complete, Thorough, and not for Beginners
This book extensively covers the topics in depth, and does a good job at making a complicated subject easy to understand. While for the most part Irv does a good job of communicating technical material in an easy to understand manner, you can only simplify technical details so much, and this book is certainly not for beginners.

After taking the author's class in the subject, I've come to understand that by the end of the book you might hate the author, but at least you'll learn something. One of the more challenging subjects, but you can learn a great deal from this book. Because it's a book in architecture, however, it's important to keep in mind that a great deal of this book is theoretical and not specifically practical to everyday computer usage.

Hard to read, not for beginners
The book is difficult to read and is definitely not aimed at beginners.Complex concepts are addressed without solid support for the lower-level concepts of which they are comprised. In effect, the book takes a complex subject, throws acronyms and abbreviated concepts at it, then moves on. Additionally, the glossary is not well-organized and the book has quite a few typographical errors. ... Read more

Book Description
Embedded computer systems literally surround us: they're in our cell phones, PDAs, cars, TVs, refrigerators, heating systems, and more.In fact, embedded systems are one of the most rapidly growing segments of the computer industry today.Along with the growing list of devices for which embedded computer systems are appropriate, interest is growing among programmers, hobbyists, and engineers of all types in how to design and build devices of their own. Furthermore, the knowledge offered by this book into the fundamentals of these computer systems can benefit anyone who has to evaluate and apply the systems.The second edition of Designing Embedded Hardware has been updated to include information on the latest generation of processors and microcontrollers, including the new MAXQ processor. If you're new to this and don't know what a MAXQ is, don't worry--the book spells out the basics of embedded design for beginners while providing material useful for advanced systems designers.Designing Embedded Hardware steers a course between those books dedicated to writing code for particular microprocessors, and those that stress the philosophy of embedded system design without providing any practical information. Having designed 40 embedded computer systems of his own, author John Catsoulis brings a wealth of real-world experience to show readers how to design and create entirely new embedded devices and computerized gadgets, as well as how to customize and extend off-the-shelf systems.Loaded with real examples, this book also provides a roadmap to the pitfalls and traps to avoid. Designing Embedded Hardware includes:

• The theory and practice of embedded systems
• Understanding schematics and data sheets
• Powering an embedded system
• Producing and debugging an embedded system
• Processors such as the PIC, Atmel AVR, and Motorola 68000-series
• Digital Signal Processing (DSP) architectures
• Protocols (SPI and I2C) used to add peripherals
• RS-232C, RS-422, infrared communication, and USB
• CAN and Ethernet networking
• Pulse Width Monitoring and motor control

Customer Reviews (16)

Not for anyone but REAL beginner
All of the topics could be easily found by a google search in much more details. The only good point after reading this book : a beginner knows how to pick from the smorgasbord of the Net.

Pretty useless for Engineers, even beginner Engineers already in the trade.And the book is not cheap !

Good book but low level
I am a Firmware Engineer currently but have a degree in Electrical Engineering so I felt this book would help me relate my Electrical experience to the Firmware world. I was disappointed when I realized how basic this book was. They dedicate a full chapter to basic voltage, resister, capacitor, etc concepts. Even with no on the job experience outside of school I found almost nothing that I did not already know. It is good for people who need to learn the basics but if you have any computer architecture experience or electrical engineering experience then this book is not for you.

Good book on hardware common to embedded systems
This is a practical introduction to embedded hardware, so to write software for the hardware presented in this book, you will need to consult other books. This book is only an introduction and if you want to gain more knowledge and experience in the field of hardware design, further study is required. In the first part of the book the author gives an introduction to computer architecture and describes the components that you find in a PC. The author goes on to explain basic electronics, just enough to understand the explanations about the electronic components. There are the basic equations to calculate voltage and current. The functionality of resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes and crystals is explained. There is advice on how you can build or have built your own integrated circuit board. Some simple microprocessors and micro controllers are described including the currently available and commonly used PIC and AVR micro controllers, the 68000-series microprocessor and a DSP based controller. The functionality of the components is described and it is shown how the component can be used with a few other basic components to exercise a minimum of functionality. The book also covers useful topics like the protocols SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) and I2C, Inter Integrated Circuit, which show how components can communicate with each other or the outside world. Various serial port and network protocols are discussed like RS232C and USB. Chapter 13 was particularly interesting, covering analog to digital conversion and applications. For example, the book explains how to use an amplifier to connect a digital circuit to a temperature or light sensor, or a motor control. The one thing I did not like about the book was the dedication of an entire chapter to the ancient language of Forth. This space might have been better spent on expanding the book's discussion of assembly language or the more timely topic of embedded networks.
This book might be too elementary for practicing engineers, particularly if they are already familiar with the devices commonly used in embedded circuits. However, for those engineers that have been writing software since they graduated, this book is a good fast-paced introduction to the hardware commonly found in embedded systems. A good follow-on to this book is "Programming Embedded Systems with C and C++" by the same publisher.

Great for the Application Developer
This is a great beginners book from basic electronics up to developing for specific chips.I've been an application developer for years and I've been looking to make the switch to lower level programming.This book will definitely get you started and even walk you through the design of the beginners microprocessors (PIC & AVR).
As mentioned above, it should have "beginner" in the title.

Good book on the embedded hw/sw domain
This book aims at a very wide domain - embedded hardware/software. While most of the books out there on the market are concerned with design patterns, agile techniques and heavy methodologies for big projects, the largest software market is actually the embedded, with most processors manufactured, and most software written.

The author is an experienced embedded engineer and has knowledge both in hardware and software - it's the connecting line between these two that is the main subject of the book. Quite well written, many topics are covered - Electronics 101 (though not really on a beginner level - it runs too fast for that), some software - assembly language of various processors, microcontroller architectures, digital design and even soldering / breadboard creation.
It looks to be possible to build a small embedded computer just from the directions given in this book - which is very nice, and gives practical-headed readers something to play with. The author clearly enjoys what he's doing and it shows through his writing - this is a nice motivational boost, embedded design is indeed very interesting.

The crowd to enjoy the book the most will be people with some experience in either software or hardware (or both), who want to get into the exciting embedded field, or just bright and curious amateurs who want to build that heat-sensing remote control for their bathroom tub.

Some downsides of the book: the chapter on Forth is dubious. (Forth ??? Gimme a break...) The Electronics tutorial is just too fast. I doubt that people without any EE background will really understand it. For a beginner's book, there's too much options given in the processors chapters (about 4) - beginners like few options that are well explained. So a suggestion to the author for the next edition - drop Forth, drop a couple of processors, spend more time on electronics basics instead, and you'll have a truly great book.

... Read more

Amazon.com
As the title suggests, Healing the Hardware of the Soul is a unique blend of advanced scientific technique and fundamental religious principles. Dr. Daniel Amen, a graduate of Oral Roberts University, isn't promoting a strictly Christian agenda, but he makes it repeatedly clear that one of the crucial steps in achieving mental health is prayer. Depending on your beliefs, this insistence can range from pleasing to offensive.

His work is centered around the physical aspects of the brain--in some ways, it resembles a modern form of phrenology. Using detailed imaging technology, he has established connections between specific behaviors--panic disorders, depression, ADD--and over- or underactive areas of the brain. As with most new forms of medical research, his work is both lauded and ridiculed, and only further research will determine its ultimate validity.

For people anxious to put his findings to use, there are several chapters devoted to questionnaires that can be used in place of brain scans. Exercises and suggestions follow, and stay surprisingly simple--forming personal connections, seeking appropriate medical care and medications, and creating short-term, specific goals are a few old standbys. Regardless of what methods Amen is using to arrive at the solutions, it's clear he finds plenty of value in tried-and-true solutions. --Jill Lightner Book Description
Dr. Daniel Amen's breakthrough brain-healing program has helped hundreds of thousands to overcome depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and attention deficit disorder. The maverick author of Change Your Brain, Change Your Life and Healing ADD now presents his proven program for repairing and strengthening our relationships, child-rearing practices, work and study routines, and, ultimately, our soulful connections, in the deepest ways possible. Guided by this book, each of us can learn to balance and optimize the parts of the brain responsible for inner growth, intimacy, and spiritual health.

Drawing upon his experience with over fourteen thousand brain-imaging studies of patients from all walks of life, Dr. Amen has developed an essential tool called the Amen Brain System Checklist, a 101-question self-test used to evaluate the five brain systems that are key to achieving and maintaining a healthy brain-soul connection. The questionnaire identifies the problem brain areas readers may need to work on, offers insight into the degree to which these imbalances affect their lives, and provides targeted strategies for each area of the brain involved with spiritual issues.

These are just a few of the many "brain prescriptions" to be found in Healing the Hardware of the Soul:

• Develop focus and improve decision-making with the One-Page Miracle for the Soul

• Use prayer, meditation, and diaphragmatic breathing exercises for superior emotional and spiritual flexibility

• Heal painful deep soul memories through thought and behavior exercises

• Learn how forming strong, positive new bonds actually controls impulsive behavior and stabilizes mood swings

Dr. Amen's recommendations include cutting-edge advice on diet, nutritional supplements, and the judicious use of medication when needed. He also explains which medications can unbalance the brain when used improperly. Dramatic before-and-after pictures of the brain demonstrate the medical effectiveness of these clinically based healing techniques.

Whether we learn the self-help strategies of cognitive reprogramming, self-hypnosis, or nutraceutical therapy, seek out psychotherapy, or rely on prescription antidepressants and antianxiety medications, Dr. Amen's sage advice and comprehensive treatment programs give us all the tools we need to optimize our work, relationships, and spiritual connections to become the people we want to be.

... Read more

Book Description
Whats New in the Third Edition, Revised Printing

The same great book gets better! This revised printing features all of the original content along with these additional features:

Appendix A (Assemblers, Linkers, and the SPIM Simulator) has been moved from the CD-ROM into the printed book

Corrections and bug fixes

Third Edition features

New pedagogical features

Understanding Program Performance
- Analyzes key performance issues from the programmers perspective
Check Yourself Questions
- Helps students assess their understanding of key points of a section
Computers In the Real World
- Illustrates the diversity of applications of computing technology beyond traditional desktop and servers
For More Practice
- Provides students with additional problems they can tackle
In More Depth
- Presents new information and challenging exercises for the advanced student

New reference features

Highlighted glossary terms and definitions appear on the book page, as bold-faced entries in the index, and as a separate and searchable reference on the CD.
A complete index of the material in the book and on the CD appears in the printed index and the CD includes a fully searchable version of the same index.
Historical Perspectives and Further Readings have been updated and expanded to include the history of software R&D.
CD-Library provides materials collected from the web which directly support the text.


In addition to thoroughly updating every aspect of the text to reflect the most current computing technology, the third edition

Uses standard 32-bit MIPS 32 as the primary teaching ISA.
Presents the assembler-to-HLL translations in both C and Java.
Highlights the latest developments in architecture in Real Stuff sections:
- Intel IA-32
- Power PC 604
- Googles PC cluster
- Pentium P4
- SPEC CPU2000 benchmark suite for processors
- SPEC Web99 benchmark for web servers
- EEMBC benchmark for embedded systems
- AMD Opteron memory hierarchy
- AMD vs. 1A-64

New support for distinct course goals

Many of the adopters who have used our book throughout its two editions are refining their courses with a greater hardware or software focus. We have provided new material to support these course goals:

New material to support a Hardware Focus

Using logic design conventions
Designing with hardware description languages
Advanced pipelining
Designing with FPGAs
HDL simulators and tutorials
Xilinx CAD tools

New material to support a Software Focus

How compilers work
How to optimize compilers
How to implement object oriented languages
MIPS simulator and tutorial
History sections on programming languages, compilers, operating systems and databases


On the CD

NEW: Search function to search for content on both the CD-ROM and the printed text
CD-Bars: Full length sections that are introduced in the book and presented on the CD
CD-Appendixes: Appendices B-D
CD-Library: Materials collected from the web which directly support the text
CD-Exercises: For More Practice provides exercises and solutions for self-study
In More Depth presents new information and challenging exercises for the advanced or curious student
Glossary: Terms that are defined in the text are collected in this searchable reference
Further Reading: References are organized by the chapter they support
Software: HDL simulators, MIPS simulators, and FPGA design tools
Tutorials: SPIM, Verilog, and VHDL
Additional Support: Processor Models, Labs, Homeworks, Index covering the book and CD contents

Instructor Support

Instructor support provided on textbooks.elsevier.com:

Solutions to all the exercises
Figures from the book in a number of formats
Lecture slides prepared by the authors and other instructors
Lecture notes ... Read more

Customer Reviews (26)

Good Reference, Easy Reading
I like the layout of the book, it works great as a reference, but since I am just beginning my education of computer architecture, I'm actually just reading through it.

The first chapter is bland, covering basic computer knowledge topics, such as how mice work. After that, the book's depth increases dramatically. It give through explanations of compilers and assemblers with ample examples inC and assembly language. There are hints of Java-based examples, but I haven't read far enough to find them yet.

In lab the MIP instruction reference was very handy.

Horrible Book
The main problem with this book is that many details are omitted, yet show up in illustrations, examples and problems in the back of the book. Nowhere are these concepts explained, just used.

The writing is dry, which could be forgiven if this were a quality book.

The sections on SPIM do not even come close to showing enough so the reader could actually use it effectively.

Many of the diagrams are too cluttered to be of any use whatsoever.

I would elaborate and write about specific instances of these problems but I have already put more effort into this review as the authors did for the entire book.

Not a very good textbook
The examples are cheesy and the author assumes the reader knows more than what the user has to know in a college course at this level. But if you're already knowedgable of this stuff, this can make, probably a descent reference book.I'll be honest, Hennesy, the author, also wrote the computer architecture, quantitative approach book.This book is lousy.Its like their books are written for decorations.They over complicate everything.Even simple binary add examples are overly complicated, for they use 32 bit words opposed to simple 4 bit words.They're explanations on how they're deriving answers are pretty much useless are non-existence.I'm currently taking a computer architecture couse using this book, and I took the quantitative course in undergrad.Both times I have been sadly disappointed by Hennesy.Unfortunately, he's like the bible writer for these 2 courses.I hope a new more elaborate bible is written in the near future. This guy elaborates on absolutely nothing, and his visual aids are horrible.

I don't like
It's good, but have a lot of errors... so i just don't like.
But it's not a bad book

Disorganized and "uncut"
I had to purchase this book for a graduate school course.There is a lot of good information here. Unfortunately lengthy examples and tangents muddy it up pretty badly.Also, I think the author(s) could have safely assumed that readers are familiar with programming; maybe that perspective could have grounded and guided the chapter flow a little better.
Looking at any 1 section, the writing is good and the explanations are clear for the most part.The catch is that the book as a whole is a collection of enormous disorganized chapters; chapter 2 is almost 100 pages.This work is dire need of editing and some understanding of its intended audience. ... Read more

Amazon.com
PC Hardware in a Nutshell: A Desktop Quick Reference relies on aneternal truth of the computer industry: legacy systems never die. This bookfocuses on the technologies that have provided Wintel personal computers withvarious capabilities over the years. Like most of its competitors, this bookaddresses the PC on a subsystem level, and deals with video cards, hard-diskinterfaces, memory, and other pieces of the componentry puzzle that hardwareintegrators need to figure out. The authors do a great job of explaining thedifferences between (and relative merits of) IDE and SCSI hard-drive interfaces,various video buses, competing processors, and other technologies. They alsoprove themselves adept at explaining general assembly procedures andtroubleshooting strategies.

This book distinguishes itself from its most popular competitors by emphasizingthe authors' opinions on hardware products. It's refreshing to see authorsrecommend Product A for high-performance systems in which price is not an issue,Product B for economical home systems, and Product C for organizationalworkstations. On the other hand, the recommendations, prices, and similar valueswill change over time. The authors maintain a great Web site, at which you canfind their current recommendations. (The Web site, on the other hand, doesn'tinclude the book's high-quality tutorial on designing and assembling a systemfrom zero.) Even the photographs that appear in this book--traditionally a weakpoint among hardware books--are clear. --David Wall

Topics covered: Personal computers that comply with Microsoft Windows andIntel compatibility requirements. The authors address processors, memory, harddisks, optical media, removable magnetic disks, video cards, power supplies, andmore. Also, there are instructions for assembling a machine from scratch, andsome coverage of troubleshooting problems.Book Description
PC Hardware in a Nutshell is the practical guide to buying, building, upgrading, and repairing Intel-based PCs.A longtime favorite among PC users, the third edition of the book now contains useful information for people running either Windows or Linux operating systems. Written for novices and seasoned professionals alike, the book is packed with useful and unbiased information, including how-to advice for specific components, ample reference material, and a comprehensive case study on building a PC. In addition to coverage of the fundamentals and general tips about working on PCs, the book includes chapters focusing on motherboards, processors, memory, floppies, hard drives, optical drives, tape devices, video devices, input devices, audio components, communications, power supplies, and maintenance. Special emphasis is given to upgrading and troubleshooting existing equipment so you can get the most from your existing investments. This new edition is expanded to include:

• Detailed information about the latest motherboards and chipsets from AMD, Intel, SiS, and VIA
• Extensive coverage of the Pentium 4 and the latest AMD processors, including the Athlon XP/MP
• Full details about new hard drive standards, including the latest SCSI standards, ATA/133, Serial ATA, and the new 48-bit "Big Drive" ATA interface
• Extended coverage of DVD drives, including DVD-RAM, DVD-R/RW, and DVD+R/RW
• Details about Flat Panel Displays, including how to choose one (and why you might not want to)
• New chapters on serial communications, parallel communications, and USB communications (including USB 2.0)
• Enhanced troubleshooting coverage

Book Description
Written by a best-selling author and instructor expressly for the classroom, the Enhanced edition of A+ Guide to Hardware: Managing, Maintaining, and Troubleshooting, Third Edition, now includes free video clips on CD! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Serious Deficiencies in What Should Have Been a Very Good Text
This textbook was required for my coursework at a local college. I'm sorry to say although very well done in some respects, it is marred by many careless errors.

These include: several screenshot pictures with extra characters between each word, areas where the text was not proof-read and is misplaced or otherwise not intelligable, some outright errors such as on page 245 where she misidentifies when a certain type of cable was launched (a test question), book quizzes without any answers provided let alone reasons for the answer, and class tests from the author with several mistakes and no explanations for any of the questions. A book CD that does not contain nearly what it's said to contain.

The book does have many good points. The illustrations are often very good. Some of the analogies and explanations are very clear. It covers a lot of ground. There are many good helpful exercises at chapter end and some very good appendicies at the end of the book. The book is strong on giving you a systematic approach to fixing a computer.

I'm disappointed that this could have been at least a four star and
maybe even five star book but for the careless errors and deficiencies I've mentioned above. If I was grading it a "C" would be the best I could
do.

Howard Perer

Some good, some bad, occasionally ugly
This book is probably best for those with very little technical background, as it tends to read like a rather introductory-level text at times. However, it does, for the most part, explain higher-level things that you WOULD need to know in order to become A+ certified, and doesn't do an incredibly poor job of it.

Unfortunately, this book has problems. I have some background knowledge of digital audio, and I noticed that whenever the book mentions this topic, it has information that is horribly oversimplified, misinformed, or just plain wrong, as if the author didn't even bother to check her facts. This makes me wonder what other subjects in the book are handled carelessly. Also, some things in the book seem to be updated a bit less than they should - it suffers from a probably-common problem of acting as if the most popular technology is still what it was four years ago (for instance, at one point it states that Windows 98 is still the most popular OS, which even contradicts another part of the book which claims it to be Windows 2000).

Aside from this, and some general misinformation contained within the book, it's also written somewhat unprofessionally at times - I'm sorry, but a section on DVD encoding ending with the sentence "The sound effects can be awesome!" insults my intelligence a slight bit, as this is supposed to be a book on how to become a technical professional, not how to sell the things to some computer-illiterate customer at Best Buy who wouldn't understand the technical details. She seems to prefer using very simple analogies and terribly silly diagrams in order to explain ones, which can be frustrating if you're a technically-minded person (which you probably are if you're trying to pass the A+ exam).

The CDs that come with the book don't really seem to work very well: With Quicktime 7 the program simply crashed when run, so I had to downgrade to Quicktime 6, and I can't seem to find any of the quizzes or other things that it advertizes - and it doesn't have any documentation, so you're out of luck there (the program's "Help" button leads you to a credits page).

One important thing to note is that the A+ certification exams are getting a major overhaul as of late this year (2006), meaning that a lot of the information in this book is going to simply be obsolete very soon, such as most anything involving DOS or Windows 9x/Me, so I would personally suggest looking elsewhere, although this is hardly the book's fault.

All in all, the book would be pretty good if it weren't for some incorrect information (especially concerning audio), lack of hard technical details in some parts, and some other problems. I'd like to be able to recommend this book, but I'd suggest looking elsewhere, and not trusting what you read in this one without supplemental research, as I've seen too many things in it that even I've been able to point out as being incorrect.

A well written technical guide
I purchased this book for a class on PC Maintenance. It is a well written, articlulate book and assumes NO prior knowledge on the part of the reader regarding PC hardware. It covers both the older and newer (ex SATA) technologies. The CD's are OK, but they are encoded in Quick Time format as opposed to DVD. ... Read more

Book Description
Computer technology pervades almost every aspect of our life: from the cars that we drive, to the mobile phones that we use to communicate; from the digital cameras that capture images of the world around us, to the laser printers that turn image into picture. Yet at the heart of these enabling technologies lie fundamental components and systems, without the understanding of which such technologies would never have been developed.Principles of Computer Hardware explores the fundamentals of computer structure, architecture, and programming that underpin the array of computerized technologies around which our lives are now built.The book opens with an introduction to the fundamental concepts upon which computers are constructed - gates, circuits, logic - and computer arithmetic, the 'language' through which computers communicate. It then reveals how computers are structured and how they operate, taking us step-wise from the instruction set architecture, the bringing together of instructions through assembly language programming, and on to the heart of the computer, the central processing unit. The book then builds on these foundations to consider how the hardware interfaces with its surroundings, introducing us to topics such as computer memory; operating systems and the interface between hardware and software; and computer peripherals and computer communications - the interface with the outside world.Always putting educational value first, Principles of Computer Hardware uses the 68K processor as a powerful teaching and learning tool, putting substance firmly before style. With the clarity of explanation and captivating style for which Alan Clements is renowned, the book draws the student in to the heart of the subject, to foster an in-depth understanding from which more specialised study can then extend. The learning experience is enriched still further with a free CD-ROM, providing resources to enable students to engage with the subject in a hands-on manner: DT A Windows-based simulator for the student to explore the design of digital circuits DT Windows and DOS-based 68K simulators for students to investigate the operation of the 68K processor DT An ARM simulator for students to write programs for a RISC processor, and run them on a PCOnline Resource Centre: For lecturers (password protected): DT Figures from the book available to download, to facilitate lecture preparation DT Solutions to problems featured in the book, to aid formative learning DT Multiple choice question test bank, to facilitate assessment of students' learning ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great computer hardware book.
I had to use this textbook for my college principles of computer hardware class, but I found myself reading it when I didn't even have to by the end of the semester.Some complex ideas are discussed in here, but the authors lay it out to the reader in a friendly and easy-to-grasp manner.

On the downside, as the other reviewer mentioned, there are quite a few errors in the logic diagrams, Karnaugh maps, and truth tables presented in the book.Also, the chapter order can be somewhat unintuitive, although that may be a matter of personal preference.

If you have to get this book for a class, consider yourself lucky-- and if you are just looking to learn by yourself about computer hardware from the ground up, this book is a great way to go.

Goodbook covering core features of hardware
This is the textbook used in a computer hardware class I have taken - its a good read and has some clear explanations and good illustrated examples of the ideas - found several errors and typos in the logic diagrams and amnot sure if their outlined in a errata supplement. some of the technologyseems to be a bit dated in the later chapters, but the ideas still hold.-Overall a good introductory text book. ... Read more

Book Description
Now fully up to date and even more comprehensive than before, this latest edition of The Indispensable PC Hardware Book will continue to amaze and delight with its detailed explanation of every aspect of PC hardware. Whether you're a newcomer to the field or a veteran systems programmer you'll relish the very latest scoop on hot topics including Pentium Pro, the PCI Chipset and SCSI III.

Key Features include: detailed explanations of core hardware topics (including all CPUs, 8086/88 to Pentium and Pentium Pro; all co-processors, 8087 to i387; AMD processors, Am386 to AM5k86, Cyrix CPUs:386 to 6x86; real, protected and virtual 8086 mode with Pentium enhancements; addressing, segmentation and paging; extended and expanded memory; ports, registers and I/O address space; BIOS and register programming; ST412/506, AT-Bus, IDE, DI, SCSI I/II/III; interrupts, exceptions and NMI; RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memories; page mode, static, statics column mode, serial mode, memory interleaving), as well as unique coverage of upgrades and clones, overdrives and Sls; PC architectures from XT via ISA, EISA, MCA to VLB and PCI; Mass storage and interfaces; parallel, serial and PCMCIA; multimedia, concepts and programming of sound cards; and extensive appendices to provide you with a lasting programming reference. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

No Updates????
This was a really great book in its day. Why on earth doesn't the author or publisher update it???

Good update, though Mr McGreary is blaming the wrong folk
A useful book for getting to grips with the basics of, especially older, PCs.

I think Mr. McGreary is being unfair. I looked at this and earlier editions and noted that the clunky language I suppose he is complaining about is there in the older editions, not translated by Transcript Alba.

I know that in these situations that publishers often are only willing to pay for translation of the actual updates and the updated bits look fine to me.

Good content, horrible translation.
Hans Messmer does a great job of arranging this vast body of knowledge into one book. I do agree w/the other reviewers on that point.

However, TransScript Alba, which is the company that translated this fourth edition, should have their heads slapped for their absolutely abhorrent use of the English language. You must put your linguistic sensibilities on the stack while your brain processes the text in this book. I'm actually suprised when I find a page that doesn't have incorrect punctuation, misspelled words, or incomplete sentences.

And as a final note, I disagree with the other reviewers that the old architecture info should be trashed to save room, because you can't appreciate change w/out a knowledge of history, and there are plenty of systems still using old PC technology. Until the fundamental architecture of the PC changes, every bit of information in this book is relevant.

"The One Book", for me at least, on PC Hardware
I have not been using this book so much recently, but in the past it has been absolutely invaluable. Definately the best single reference for technical specifics for the PC.

There seem to be dozens if not hundreds of "upgrade your PC", "Fix your PC" and so on - nearly all light weight and I consider not worthwhile.

It has tables on pretty well everything, and the information is quite dense. I have not found it to be inaccurate. Not merely factual tables (Addresses, IRQs, layouts of structure, PCI) it contains good descriptions of of what is going on.

Now in its fourth edition - and I think I have owned all of them, it has stood the test of time and continues to be updated.

Comprehensive
A big book which covers huge area of computer hardware!! Essential for all computer user!! ... Read more

Book Description
The text is designed to be the most through, step-by-step book available for learning the fundamentals of supporting and troubleshooting computer hardware.Maps to CompTIAÆs current A+ Core Exam. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Highly technical
Acquired this book to learn all about hardware. As an entrepreneur, I have found this guide to provide the necessary knowledge to cope with the world of highly technical hardware issues. Would recommend acquiring it if you are interested in learning more about this subject.

An excellent text for self teaching.
I purchased this book for a course I was going to take at a junior college. After two classes, I realized that because the book is so very well writen, I could read it and learn the material without all the driving to classes twice a week. So, I dropped the class and saved considreably more than the cost of the text, and am just finishing chapter14 of the 16 chapter book.
The author is so outstanding, that I plan to see what other books she has written and possibly purchase them. Well worth the money and time spent reading it.

Sorry, but this is not a good book. VERY unorganized.
I am a student of technology at a university currently enrolled in an A+ preparation course.This is the book that was required for the course.One thing that I really did not like about this book is that the chapters are not well organized and they are not in a logical sequence.Why cover PC components before covering the basic concepts of electricity?Why are floppy drives and memory in the same chapters by themselves?I just don't see the reason for that.I will give the book credit for being thorough in explanation, but a lot of the "extra" explanation is useless for the A+ exam.I gave this book ONE star because of the trivial organization and the rediculously long chapters.I currently own "A+ Training Guide, 5th Edition" by Charles J. Brooks and it is a superior book (Mike Meyers books are also excellent) and I highly recommend it over this "A+ Guide to Hardware" being reviewed.Besides, with the Charles J. Brooks book, you get the benefit of having a CD-ROM that actually has A+ related materials on it.The book by Jean Andrews (the one being reviewed) doesn't even give you a sample test on the CD.In my opinion, a good A+ book should be accompanied with a sample test.Another thing about this book is that it ONLY covers hardware.I know that is the focus of the book as stated in the title, but that is only half of the A+ certification.There are MUCH better books available than this one and I recommend looking for a different book, especially one that will cover the COMPLETE A+ certification.

Very solid material, expertly presented
As someone who has documented hardware and software--and who has taught a number of technical classes--I appreciate a course book that presents accurate information in a readable, straightforward way.This book does precisely that.The information is accurate, well organized, and maps very well to the CompTIA A+ Upgrade Core Hardware certification curriculum.

I especially like the overall presentation of the material--the design, photography, and artwork in the book. This is an area where publishers tend to skimp, but this book has a rich art program, with lots of appropriate call-outs.The book also has a number of nice editorial features, including notes, A+ exam tips, cautions, and brief sections called "applying concepts."The book has a useful organizational feature, where pages in the book are highlighted to show where the information maps to core objectives in the CompTIA curriculum.

Finally, the book is tied to a the www.course.com Web site, where readers can correspond with author Jean Andrewsthrough an Ask Jean feature (www.course.com/askjean).

Overall, this is a very solid book, where accurate information is presented very well.

This is a GREAT text!
As an instructor at a technical college, I'm constantly looking for textbooks that actually teach my students.So many books are just "cookie-cutter" types that merely regurgitate the same exam prep information found in all the others.I needed a textbook that went beyond that.

The A+ Guide to Hardware (and it's companion book, A+ Guide to Software), by Jean Andrews, is that textbook.I'm very happy with it's accuracy and currency and the students actually read it!The text is very understandable and well written.My students are passing the practice exams with flying colors and several have received their A+ Certification as a result of this excellent text.

I highly recommend this text for anyone desiring to understand and pass the A+ Certification exam! ... Read more

Book Description
The Mike Meyers’ Computer Skills series offers students of varying ability and experience a practical working knowledge of baseline IT skills and technologies. This full-color text is filled with real-world case studies, step-by-step tutorials, illustrations with callouts, end-of-chapter questions, challenging lab exercises, and review questions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Coupled with the All in One study guide - unbeatable!
One of the most respected names in the A+ and IT industry has to be Mike Meyers; his All in One Study guide is simply one of the best books on the market. Now Mike has gone and released an add-on to the book that will make the learning of the A+ material easier to understand and comprehend.

Looking through the book brings back so many memories for me over the past 15 years and reading through the material I found a wealth of information, that I was able to pass on to my A+ classes. From cover to cover the information is nothing short of amazing and takes apart the pc from stem to stern and allows you to put it back together.

The breakdown is some of the best classroom material I have ever seen and I have been teaching for over 5 years and A+ for over 4. This book covers the hard drives, including FDISK and Disk Management within NT and 2000. I was hard pressed to find a hardware topic that wasn't covered; there is even material on joysticks and musical instruments.

If you are looking for a breakdown of the hardware exam for A+ than you might want to grab a copy of this book. For the instructor out there this book is a great addition to the classroom material. I think that the next release should have a cd with hardware utilities, but overall this is another outstanding effort from Mike Meyers. ... Read more

Book Description
William E. Aubuchon Sr. immigrated to the United States from Canada in 1900 at the age of 15, speaking no English and armed with only a fifth-grade education. Through hard work and perseverance, he established a hardware store in 1908 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. One hundred years later, there are over 130 Aubuchon Hardware stores located throughout Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont, employing about 1,100 people. This remarkable growth by Aubuchon Hardware can be attributed to the company treating its customers as friends and always making them number one. As William E. Aubuchon Sr. once said, “The business was founded on the principle of buying economically. We give our customers what they want—high-grade hardware at a price everyone can afford.” Aubuchon Hardware never lost track of where it started, and today it still remains “all in the family” with over 20 family members currently employed, including the fourth generation. In Aubuchon Hardware, family members were an invaluable resource for photographs and historical information. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

pictorial history
I happpen to work for this company and I know a lot of the Aubuchons and the Morans. They are a good company to work for and the owners are very easy to talk to and are very personable. This is a family run company and they truly treat their employees like family. The third generation is running the company (CEO) and the fourth generation is in charge of the internet while the 5th generation was just born. The book is very well done and the pictures reflect what they had to endure and how they lasted 100 years. That is quite an accomplishment in todays big box store environment. A fascinating look at what the stores were like for the past 100 years and how they have changed to keep up with modern retailing and how they have adapted to the 21st century. ... Read more

Book Description
Mike Meyers, one of the premier computer and network skills trainers, delivers a learning system designed to explain key IT principles in an easy-to-understand format. This well-written volume reinforces A+ Core Exam certification objectives and prepares students to work in the real world by applying networking concepts to solve real business problems. Plus, provides teachers with a way to assess student knowledge and reinforce learned concepts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

I passed
I passed the hardware exam on my first try.However, it did not have a great amount to do with this book.Although the book helped me feel confident about my knowledge it did not teach me anything new that I needed for the exam.The book seemed more geared to what Mike Meyers thinks a technician should know about PCs more than what CompTIA thinks a computer technician should know.

I am a little more uncomfortable about the operating systems test and will not rely only on the Mike Meyers book to prepare me for it.I will use the Meyers book in conjunction with A+ certification for dummies.

Just the Facts please
I would have appreciated this resource better if his ego was left out of the writing - too many opinions and too much humor. I don't care to learn about the personality of the author, I am more interested in the content, the raw knowledge for which I am paying, presented in a clean, professional and efficient manner.

This level of mediocrity will prepare you for the poorly written Comptia A+ Tests.

No answer guide
While this book is very good at what it does, teach you about PC hardware to prepare you for the A+ exam, it gives self test exams after each chapter without providing the answers. If you don't mind thumbing through the chapter to verify your answers you will probably like this book. It's a pity rhis information wasn't included in the description of this book. I called McGraw Hill's customer service and they simply stated there is no answer guide to this book. You're on your own. The same holds true with Mike Meyer's A+ guide to Operating Systems. ... Read more

Product Description
Written for game programmers and developers, this book covers GPU techniques and supporting applications that are commonly used in games and similar real-time 3D applications. The authors describe the design of programs and systems that can be used to implement games and other applications whose requirements are to render real-time animation sequences (such as walks through complex scenes) at the high quality now available from GPUs.

The text is mainly structured around programming in Cg; but also includes techniques (in C++/OpenGl) that do not map onto GPU hardware. The supplementary CD includes implementation for most of the techniques covered in the book and full source code for an advanced render library in Cg/C++/OpenGL. This library can be used to quickly develop 3D games and applications which make use of the advanced features available in current programmable graphics hardware like GPU based animation, lighting, shadows and special effects. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A pretty book from a distance
I bought this book because, standing in the bookstore thumbing through it, I thought that it seemed like a decent guide to modern GPU effects. The nice high-gloss pages have lots of nice colorful images, and there is a lot of code as well. However, when you actually try to learn something from reading this book, you may hit a roadblock fairly quickly. The problem is that there is precious little space devoted to explaining many of the shaders, and much of that space spells out only the totally obvious anyway, which leaves one doubly frustrated.

As an example, in the bump mapping section, there is a discussion on per fragment L and H computation as a means to getting higher quality results. The first thing to note is the declaration 'v2f IN'. It's noteworthy because 'v2f' is not defined anywhere! Thumbing backwards through the book, it becomes clear that this is some sort of structure for passing data from the vertex to fragment shaders, but not having it defined means you're scratching your head over what exactly is defined. Next, there is this bit of code:

// transform normal to world space
normal.xyz=normalize(normal.x*IN.tangent-normal.y*IN.binormal+normal.z*IN.normal);

WTF? One of the most interesting bits of the whole thing (bringing the normal into world space, as opposed to bringing the light and half angle variables into surface local space), and there is *absolutely no* explanation of why it's done this way or how that tight little snippet of code was derived. None. It's really unbelievable.

As another example, the parallax mapping code has this little snippet

// parallax code
...
float height = tex2D(rmtex,uv).w * 0.06 - 0.03;
...

Once again, WTF? What's with the magic numbers? Of course, once you understand what they mean, it's obvious, but then again, if things like this were obvious, you wouldn't be buying a book on the subject now would you?

The book is not garbage, it just needs to be expanded. It's pretty much impossible to actually learn anything if a particular topic has little more than a title and a few shader fragments thrown at you. I mean, don't get me wrong, writing a book like that would certainly be fun, but it would be of little use to anyone else.

diverse game topics
A trifle surprising that no one else has already reviewed this book. Watt and Policarpo give a nice and current description of the advanced graphics. That are deployed in games. The narrative is a good combination of first principles physics and code examples and screen captures of rendered images. Of course, for motion, the images do this no justice. Still, even the static images should be inspiring to many readers.

Many topics are included. Like how to simulate particle systems. Basically, by discretising Newton's Equations of motion for a set of objects. This has been done for decades in science and engineering. Neat how it is now feasible for gaming. Though one difference is that in gaming, the rendering of the objects has high importance. Whereas for research systems, this was often a minor consideration.

Character animation is another well covered topic. Shows how to relieve the programmer from having to tediously code the motion of a human character in the game. With sophisticated skeletal frameworks that can be animated. An excursion into linear algebra and matrices. ...