30 Ways to Have Some Computer-Controlled Evil Fun! "The steps are easy to follow...text is precise and understandable...uses very clear pictures and schematics to show what needs doing...Most importantly these projects are fun!"--Boing BoingThis wickedly inventive guide shows you how to program and build a variety of projects with the Arduino microcontroller development system. Covering Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms, 30 Arduino Projects for the Evil Genius gets you up to speed with the simplified C programming you need to know--no prior programming experience necessary.Using easy-to-find components and equipment, this do-it-yourself book explains how to attach an Arduino board to your computer, program it, and connect electronics to it to create fiendishly fun projects. The only limit is your imagination! 30 Arduino Projects for the Evil Features step-by-step instructions and helpful illustrations Provides full schematic and construction details for every project Covers the scientific principles behind the projects Removes the frustration factor--all required parts are listed along with sources Build these and other devious Morse code translator High-powered strobe light Seasonal affective disorder light LED dice Keypad security code Pulse rate monitor USB temperature logger Oscilloscope Light harp LCD thermostat Computer-controlled fan Hypnotizer Servo-controlled laser Lie detector Magnetic door lock Infrared remote Each fun, inexpensive Evil Genius project includes a detailed list of materials, sources for parts, schematics, and lots of clear, well-illustrated instructions for easy assembly. The larger workbook-style layout and convenient two-column format make following the step-by-step instructions a breeze.In December 2011, Arduino 1.0 was released. This changed a few things that have caused the sketches for Projects 10, 27, and 28 in this book to break. To fix this, you will need to get the latest versions of the Keypad and IRRemote libraries.The Keypad library has been updated for Arduino 1.0 by its original creators and can be downloaded from //www.arduino.cc/playground/Code/Keypad Ken Shiriff's IRRemote library has been updated and can be downloaded from //www.arduinoevilgenius.com/new-downloads Make Great Stuff! TAB, an imprint of McGraw-Hill Professional, is a leading publisher of DIY technology books for makers, hackers, and electronics hobbyists.
I have been getting more-and-more into hacking electronics. This book was a great way to learn some fascinating and fun projects to learn Arduino. It was fun, light, and playful, but very informative.
“30 Arduino Projects for the Evil Genius” balances theory and practice very well. It starts off assuming you don't know much about programming or hardware, but doesn't bore you if you already do. Chapter 1 starts out with a simple exercise that you can just follow the steps for. Chapter 2 circles back and gives a 10 page tour of Arduino and covers some theory. Don't worry – it is interesting theory.
The rest of the book uses projects to teach more hardware/wiring/program concepts. Each project has a schematic and circuit diagram so you can see what the breadboard looks like They even cover using a third party library.
The Appendix includes the part numbers at Farnell and Radio Shack so you can easily order what you need for each specific project.
I did notice one formatting problem: minus minus shows up as one long dash in the code. But if this is the worst problem, the book is in good shape.
--- Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for writing this review on behalf of CodeRanch.
There is a lot of great information in this book and it is very clear in its instructions. However, I didn't feel that there was enough in here that wasn't also readily available elsewhere on the internet to warrant the price of the book. Don't get me wrong, the information is valuable and presented clearly, and, for beginners, it is an excellent how-to manual. But it is the sort of thing that is maybe better suited for novices, as a gift, with their first Arduino board.