Book Review - Arduino Workshop: A Hands-On Introduction with 65 Projects

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About the Book
It may be small in size, but the Arduino is having a huge impact on the maker movement. This powerful, easy-to-use microcontroller makes it possible for creative people everywhere to turn their ideas for interactive projects into reality—from simple LED displays to responsive robots and Twitter-enabled appliances. All that's needed is a computer, a DIY imagination, and—for the uninitiated—a guide on how to get started.

No Starch Press has that last one covered. The San Francisco-based independent publisher has just announced the release of Arduino Workshop (No Starch Press, May 2013, 392 pp., $29.95, ISBN 9781593274481), a soup-to-nuts tutorial that will have even rank beginners building their own devices in no time. Written by Australian electronics enthusiast John Boxall, this comprehensive, hands-on book will have readers designing and building interactive electronics within the first few chapters. As the book progresses, the projects build on the basics, and by the end of the book readers will be making complex projects like a motorized remote-control tank.

The book also digs into basic electronics and the Arduino's sensors, motors, displays, and other popular add-ons. Readers will learn about these components by using them to build projects like:

• A digital thermometer that displays temperature changes on an LCD
• A GPS logger that records travel data for display on Google Maps
• A handy tester that checks the voltage of batteries
• A keypad-controlled lock that requires a secret code to open
• An electronic version of the classic six-sided die

By the time readers bang out all 65 of Boxall's projects, they'll be ready to build their own—and, in doing so, join millions of other makers around the world who are harnessing the power of a tiny board that makes big things happen.

About the Author 
For nearly two decades, Australia-based John Boxall has worked in electronics, mobile communications, and information technology. In recent years, Boxall has focused on educating fellow gadget geeks on best practices for using the Arduino boards and software. A robotics fan, Boxall shares his insights, projects, tutorials, tips, and techniques at www.tronixstuff.com.


My Take on the Book
I have to say that I was not aware of this microcomputer sensation that is becoming more and more popular, but as many of you know I love technology, both in using and in learning about so I was excited about checking this out as well. In reading this I was impressed with the overall concept and the author of this book makes it so easy to understand. Also, the projects that are included in the book are user friendly and I came to find, ones that I could easily work on myself without too much intervention by friends more technically adept than I. The book was filled with very diverse projects that will keep you busy for some time and I for one have already stated a few projects and they are coming together quite nicely!

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