Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, & technology book reviews, plus social, political, & economic commentary
I strolled into my favorite Austin Starbucks recently and noticed a startling sight. Every person standing in line or sitting at tables simultaneously had their head down as if in group prayer. All at the same moment were staring at their smartphones. I pulled out my own phone, dramatically flipped it open, held it aloft, … Continue reading Will “Smart” Device Dependence Make You Increasingly Dumb?
Make: Volume 32 (O’Reilly, paperback) Make: is a science, technology, and do-it-yourself (DIY) projects magazine published quarterly in paperback book format. Volume 32 not only has intriguing articles about private rocketeers, flying motorcycles, and human-size replicas of videogame costumes and weapons. It also has about two dozen “complete plans” for a wide array of useful and … Continue reading Make: Volume 32 – Zany and practical projects and articles for DIY builders – #bookreview
Juniper MX Series Douglas Richard Hanks Jr., and Harry Reynolds (O’Reilly, paperback – Kindle) This comprehensive, well-written handbook is aimed directly at network engineers who want to know more about the feature-rich Juniper MX Series of routers. Actually, “handbook” is a bit of a misnomer. It takes two hands to comfortably handle this hefty, comprehensive, 864-page guide. … Continue reading Juniper MX Series – A comprehensive guide for network engineers – #bookreview #juniper #networking
Learn the Kinect™ API Rob Miles (Microsoft Press, paperback, Kindle) The Kinect sensor is a popular peripheral for Microsoft’s XBox 360 video game systems and Windows PCs. The device contains a video camera, a directional microphone system, and a depth sensor. Software developers are using the device “to advance the field of computer interaction in … Continue reading Learn the Kinect API – New Microsoft ‘Start Here!’ guide shows how – #bookreview
Making Embedded Systems By Elecia White (O’Reilly, paperback, list price $39.99; Kindle edition, list price $31.99) Elecia White loves embedded systems. “The first time a motor turned on because I told it to, I was hooked,” she writes in her new book, Making Embedded Systems. “I quickly moved away from pure software and into a … Continue reading Making Embedded Systems (for things that blink & go ‘Beep!’ in the night) – #programming #bookreview
Making Embedded Systems By Elecia White (O’Reilly, paperback, list price $39.99; Kindle edition, list price $31.99) Elecia White loves embedded systems. “The first time a motor turned on because I told it to, I was hooked,” she writes in her new book, Making Embedded Systems. “I quickly moved away from pure software and into a … Continue reading Making Embedded Systems (for things that blink & go ‘Beep!’ in the night) – #programming #bookreview
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