Classic Lego Mindstorms Projects and Software Tools: Award-Winning Designs from Master Builders Review

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(More customer reviews)The publisher's blurb suggests that this is a book containing a number of NEW projects but it is really an EXACT reprint of "LEGO Mindstorm Masterpieces: Building and Programming Advanced Robots" with an updated cd. Although the cd includes PDFs of a few other books it does not include the cds shipped with those books so you are better off buying the books themselves, and the chances are that if you are looking to buy this book, you already have those other books. Similarly, the cd includes some software for drawing LEGO diagrams, etc. but offers no information on how to use these programs effectively so you could just as easily download the software and find guidance on using it on the internet. Unfortunately, the software that is provided does not include any of the programming tools or alternative firmware installs available to enhance your robot's behaviour. Overall, if you do not already own a copy of "LEGO Mindstorm Masterpieces" then this book is worth the money, but if you do, consider yourself warned.

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This Book/DVD kit meets the growing demand from Lego Mindstorms fans for additional projects that can be built from their existing Lego Mindstorms kits. Over 40 new projects will appeal to that dedicated segment of the Lego audience that are committed to the RIS 1.x and 2.x standards.The book contains seven complete "Master" projects that illustrate how great design, planning, mechanical engineering skills, and programming can create stunning and award winning projects.The DVD contains instruction for over 40 projects in Adobe PDF form, a full suite of Lego software tools, and RCX/NQC code files. The projects range from the simple to the sophisticate, and are perfect for self-learning.* Complete new set of projects for the RIS 1.x and 2.x * This Book and DVD package delivers a complete kit, perfect for team projects as well as those individual building * packed full with award winning designs that will inspire any Mindstorms fan

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BrickJournal Compendium 2, Volume 1 Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a great book for anyone who likes Lego. Whether you are an AFOL (Adult Fan Of Lego) looking for new ideas, or just a confused kid wanting to know what [...] is, this book is a great and educational guide to Lego and its fans. This book features sections on, castle, mecha, modular building, Lego websites, Batman, events(like Brickfest or Brick World) and even how to build sculptures! This is an awesome book for anyone involved, wondering, or confused about the grand art of LEGO.


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BrickJournal Compendium, Volume Two, compiles issues #4-5 of the acclaimed online magazine for LEGO enthusiasts of all ages for the first time in printed form! This FULL-COLOR book spotlights all aspects of the LEGO Community through interviews with: Mike Wilder (about using a Mindstorms robot to film a 3-D documentary) and Mark Larson (creator of the Fabuland Housewifes online comic strip), Alban Nanty on his Lego-based Star Wars film, plus features on Lego character sculptures, tutorials on LCad software for creating projects, an examination of Legoland's history, behind the scenes at a Lego factory, building big with Legos (from castles and rollercoasters to ships and skyscrapers), creating custom minifigures, instructions and building techniques, and more! Edited by Joe Meno.

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BrickJournal Compendium Volume 1 (v. 1) Review

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(More customer reviews)We bought this for our 13 year old son this past Christmas. It's a fascinating look into Lego building and is appropriate for about age 12 and up. Lots of good articles and plenty of photographs of awesome Lego structures, most of which you'll never see unless you go to a Lego convention. Definitely a great buy.

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BrickJournal magazine is the ultimate resource for LEGO enthusiasts of all ages, and this FULL-COLOR book compiles the first three digital-only issues in printed form for the first time ever! It spotlights all aspects of the LEGO Community, showcasing events, people, and models, with contributions and how-to articles by top builders worldwide, new product intros, and more! Featured are interviews with: Lego car builder Zachary Sweigart (showing his version of the time-traveling Delorean from the movie Back to the Future), JÃrgen Vig Knudstorp (CEO of LEGO Systems, Inc.), Mecha builders Bryce McLone and Jeff Ranjo, paraplegic Lego builder Scott Warfield, Bob Carney (Lego castle builder extraordinaire) and Ralph Savelsburg (Lego plane builder), Reverend Brendan Powell Smith (author of the Lego version of the Bible), NASA Astronaut Trainer Kieth Johnson, Jake McKee (Global Community Director for The Lego Group), builder Jason Allemann on recreating the spacecraft from 2001: A Space Odyssey and 2010: The Year We Make Contact, features on the Bionicle universe, how to make your own custom bricks, plus building instructions and techniques, and more! Edited by Joe Meno.

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Competitive MINDSTORMS: A Complete Guide to Robotic Sumo using LEGO(r) MINDSTORMS Review

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(More customer reviews)Competitive Mindstorms: A Complete Guide To Robotic Sumo Using Lego Mindstorms is a hobby guide to using the Lego Mindstorms Robotic Invention System to design, build, program, and unleash autonomous "sumo-bot" creations for use in a robotic sumo arena. Written by dedicated Lego Mindstorms enthusiast David Perdue, Competitive Mindstorms introduces the reader to the sumo-bot, provides seven projects designed to give hands-on experience in three different approaches to robotic sumo (small-and-fast class, medium class, and big-sumo strategies), presents extensive discussions of Lego pieces and building methodology, programming techniques, and much more. Black-and-white photographs illustrate the building instructions in this go-to guide especially friendly to beginners but packed with valuable tips, tricks, and techniques for the seasoned Lego Mindstorms hobbyist as well.


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This book will cover the design and construction of Robot-Sumo robots using MINDSTORMS. Robot building is gaining popularity throughout the mainstream population (Junkyard Wars, Battlebots, etc), but no books have been published with this particular focus.

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Extreme NXT: Extending the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT to the Next Level (Technology in Action) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this book to get a better idea of how to safely interface my own circuits to the Lego Mindstorms NXT. In my opinion, you can't find a better book for this purpose. "Extreme NXT" contains the pinouts and proper usage of the NXT motor and sensor ports. It also provides a large number of the most useful homebrew sensor implementations, right down to parts lists containing part numbers for common component suppliers like Digikey and Radio Shack.
My background is in engineering, with an emphasis in control systems. The first book I read in the field of hobbiest robotics was "Mobile Robots: Inspiration to Implementation" (Jones and Flynn). In those days, the 6811's were king for these sorts of projects. I spent many a happy day with my MIT Handyboard (a simple 6811 robot controller board). Things have come a long way. Nowadays NXT is available, and this book is the modern day equivalent to that excellent text for those who want to dig in and find out what the NXT is capable of. The book is written in a format that is easy to understand for the novice, but also supplies plenty of content to allow the more advanced user to be able to push the NXT envelope. The organization is superb, commonly used charts and tables are easily found. I have been finding myself referring most often to the pinout tables for the NXT connectors, and these are very conveniently found towards the front of the book.
Chapters are broke down into sensor and output types, starting with the more basic and easily contructed passive sensors up to more advanced and expandable I2C sensors. Motor control, h-bridges, etc are also covered in detail. Both the construction of the circuits, and the NXT code to run them, are covered. Code is provided in it's most basic form first, NXT-G, which every NXT user will be familiar with. Examples proceed to more complex compilers, such as NBC, for sensors or circuits that are better suited to those implementations.
The appendix provides complete source code listings, useful websites and links categorized by chapter. There is also a great tutorial on prototyping with breadboards and perfboard for the uninitiated. With this book, any skill level in electronics should be enough to do some cool things with the NXT kit.
This book will become a very useful addition to any hobby robotics library. For me, it will be the goto book for designing circuits to safely interface to the Lego NXT. Highly recommended!

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Extreme NXT: Extending the LEGO MIDSTORMS NXT to the Next Level is for intermediate-level users of NXT who would like to advance their capabilities by learning some of the basics of electronics. Plenty of examples are provided, and easy-to-follow instructions are included for building over 15 different sensors.

This makes a great reference for the NXT hardware interfaces. Examples even come complete with multiple, alternative NXT languages. The book is also abundant with illustrations.

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Lego Crazy Action Contraptions: A LEGO Inventions Book (Klutz) Review

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(More customer reviews)Although the book says ages 9 -12, I bought it for my 6 year old and he loved it. It was recommended by a 1st grade teacher. We have worked together on building some of the contraptions and have had a lot of fun. He could easily follow the picture instructions, but needed help on the words. Much better than buying the kits and building what the picture shows. This "book" comes with pieces you usually find in the Technic sets or have to special order through the Lego catalog. Also combines Legos with things you have around the house - string, balloons, etc. - to build all sorts of things. I really like the fact that it isn't just step by step how to build something but also gives ideas on how you can put a new twist on what you have built and asks you to expand upon it.

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Build 5 contraptions right out of the pouch (all pieces included). Build 5 more with standard LEGO pieces.

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The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 Discovery Book: A Beginner's Guide to Building and Programming Robots Review

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(More customer reviews)I (a hardware/software developer and radio ham for some 30 years) bought LEGO Mindstorms for my now eight-year-old son last Christmas. Being a LEGO nut since he was old enough not to swallow the pieces, he's had great fun with Mindstorms since then.
But after you've built the models detailed in the Mindstorms kit, where do you go next? The Mindstorms online help is pretty good, but tiresome to read on the screen, and not the best medium for a youngster. The Alpha Rex etc. are impressive but it's hard for a child to try to make his own models of a similar complexity on the basis of the models in the Mindstorms kit. There is a huge gap between copying ready-made models and learning to create real robots from scratch, and Laurens Valk's book fills that gap perfectly.
As "the missing manual", this book thoroughly explains the NXT hardware and NXT-G software, in enough technical detail to satisfy a seasoned programmer like me, but without overloading someone who is completely new to the technology. That is no mean feat!
The building instructions are of a similar quality to those provided in the all-too-slim Mindstorms manual, and my son was able to follow them and the programming instructions with only minimal guidance from me (usually because we hadn't yet read the accompanying text! :-)
Now, there are several ways to approach this book. To get started quickly, you or your child genius can simply follow the detailed building and programming instructions to create any of the eight robots detailed in the book. My son had almost no trouble doing this: in fact, he first went after the more complex models like the Strider featured on the cover, followed by the very impressive Chimney Climber. If, like us, you're new to the LEGO Technic and Mindstorms systems, you'll be surprised how they can be made to do such remarkable things.
The program instructions feature a simplified overview - essentially a flow diagram - that lets you follow the basic structure of the program and learn about loops, "if-then-else" blocks, etc. Your young robotics engineer can learn about the how-and-why of the programs, and gradually improvise to deepen his/her understanding of what the NXT controller is "thinking", and then devise clever ways to change it.
Then there are the challenges, or "discoveries" to use Laurens' word: 87 of them in all. Once we have settled down to reading the book together start-to-finish (give us a chance, we've only had this book for a week!), the discoveries will provide many new paths to explore and consolidate our understanding of robotic systems.
I would have expected to pay three times what Amazon is charging for this book, based on similar books aimed at software developers. At under $20, it is excellent value for money and an essential "NXT" step on any robot designer's path of discovery. Buy it!

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Discover the many features of the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 set. The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 Discovery Book is the complete,illustrated, beginner's guide to MINDSTORMS that you've been lookingfor.The crystal clear instructions in the Discovery Book will showyou how to harness the capabilities of the NXT 2.0 set to build andprogram your own robots. Author and robotics instructor Laurens Valkwalks you through the set, showing you how to use its various pieces,and how to use the NXT software to program robots. Interactive tutorials make it easy for you to reach an advanced level of programming as youlearn to build robots that move, monitor sensors, and use advancedprogramming techniques like data wires and variables. You'll build eight increasingly sophisticated robots like the Strider (a six-leggedwalking creature), the CCC (a climbing vehicle), the Hybrid Brick Sorter (a robot that sorts by color and size), and the Snatcher (an autonomous robotic arm). Numerous building and programming challenges throughoutencourage you to think creatively and to apply what you've learned asyou develop the skills essential to creating your own robots.Requirements: One LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 set (#8547)Features
A complete introduction to LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0
Building and programming instructions for eight innovative robots
50 sample programs and 72 programming challenges (ranging from easyto hard) encourage you to explore newly learned programming techniques
15 building challenges expand on the robot designs and help youdevelop ideas for new robots
Who is this book for?This is a perfect introduction for those new to building and programming with the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 set. The book also includes intriguing robot designs and useful programming tips for more seasoned MINDSTORMSbuilders.-

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LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Hacker's Guide Review

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(More customer reviews)I was GREATLY disappointed, for the following reasons:
1) Most of the hacks in this book are lame. (Sorry, a board game using Lego pieces does NOT count as a hack).
2) There's very little in this book about the Mindstorms NXT. The first 79 pages of the book don't address the NXT at all, and the rest of the book only addresses the NXT tangentially, in most cases using only five or six NXT parts to build the hack. (Some hacks don't use NXT parts at all).
3) The book seems to have had a "first-to-market" strategy, in order to make a quick buck and to take advantage of the interest surrounding the NXT.
Rock-bottom message: it's a slapdash, hodgepodge assortment of stuff that will not advance your knowledge of the NXT one iota.
Save your cash and get another book.

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Build and Program Over 20 Challenging Design Projects in Just 30 Minutes Eachwith the New Generation of LEGO® MINDSTORMS®

More powerful and intuitive than ever, LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT is a new robotics toolset that enables robot enthusiasts and hobbyists to build and program all kinds of projects. The LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT Hacker's Guide explores this new generation of LEGO MINDSTORMS, providing a collection of projects, how-to expertise, insider tips, and over 500 illustrations to help readers become expert NXT hackers.

This cutting-edge guide describes new advances that make LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT such a great robotics resource. The book explains the all-new NXT intelligent brick…the interactive servo motors with rotation sensors that align speed for precise control…the ultrasonic sensor that allows robots to "see" by responding to movement…the improved light and touch sensors that let robots detect color and feel…and much more. The LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT Hacker's Guide features:
Expert, insightful commentary by a member of the LEGO MINDSTORMS Developer Program
A hands-on account of the new technologies and expanded sensor capabilities of LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT
A collection of 10 hacking projects with step-by-step instructions for creating things ranging from solar power to ZigBee® technology to tank tread feet ["projects" appears twice.]
A portfolio of 12 exciting design projects featuring R. Buckminster Fuller's Geodesic Dome, Rem Koolhaas' Seattle Central Library, and the world's first NXT wristwatch
Complete disclosure about a "secret" game that is hidden inside every LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT kit
An in-depth guide to the NXT programming language
A special LEGO factory kit offer available only for readers of this book

Inside This Groundbreaking NXT Reference
• Your First Robot • Stupid RCX Tricks • Save Your RIS • As Smart as a Brick • MOVE IT! With Servo Motors • Hmm, I Sense Something • Yes, But I Don't Know How to Program • Testing, Testing; Oh, Trouble Shoot • Katherine's Best Hacking Projects • Katherine's Design Fun House • NXT Programming Language Guide • NXT Elements • NXT Resources

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Joe Nagata's Lego Mindstorms Idea Book Review

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(More customer reviews)Perhaps I'm spoiled by Dave Baum's great books but I found this book very frustrating. Some of the bots are interesting but I was unable to build most of them because they require extra parts that don't come in the Lego Mindstorms RIS. That'd be OK if the book told you what extra part syou need but I'd get 70% done and find myself short 6 #3 elbows (or whatever). True, he lists the needed parts before each bot, but he doesn't tell you which ones aren't part of the RIS. Baum does. Also, the pictures in the book lack contrast so it is hard to see details and the "steps" aren't specific. Buy the Baum books instead.

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The LEGO MINDSTORMS Robotics Invention System from LEGO combines LEGO bricks with a programmable component, making it easy to create real working robots at home. This fun and easy guide to using LEGO MINDSTORMS shows how to build ten fascinating robots and discusses the basic robotics principles needed to create variations. Step-by-step, illustrated directions make the projects easy for users at all levels. Includes a four-color insert and creative ways to enjoy the robots that readers create. (Some projects require pieces not included with the MINDSTORMS kit.)

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Extreme NXT: Extending the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT to the Next Level (Technology in Action) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This well organized book on customizing the Lego NXT Robotic System serves several hobbyist and educational goals in an outstanding fashion. It is a full introduction to sensors, actuators, and microcontroller-based robotics in the context of the Lego NXT System. In the process of describing the sensors, customization of NXT parts and support chips and electronics it provides an excellent introduction to hobbyist electronic construction. Finally, together with David Cook's excellent "Robot Building for Beginners", also in the excellent Apress Series, it provides a though introduction to the parts and techniques for constructing and debugging all types of hobbyist robotics and electro-mechanical systems. The differences from the previous excellent edition of "Extreme NXT" are subtle yet important: improved illustrations of construction technique are provided throughout the book; exciting additional projects on GSR (skin resistance measurement) and interfacing the NXT brick with a keyboard interface liven this edition, additonal explanatory material is included in the chapter on I2C interfaces and in Appendix A on electronic construction techniques.
I would recommend this excellently presented and illustrated book as a well organized tutorial in many aspects of robotics and electronic construction.
--Ira Laefsky
MSE/MBA

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Extreme NXT: Extending the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT to the Next Level (Second Edition) is updated for established users of NXT who would like to advance their capabilities by learning the electronics that can open up new possibilities to their NXT projects.Bring all kinds of amazing sensors to your NXT creations! This book introduces you to projects with contact sensors, resistive sensors, potentiometer sensors, voltage sensors, NXT Motor Interfaces and beyond, to I2C Bus Communication and the cool combinations available in your own projects! You'll also learn breadboard construction technique along the way.With more than 15 cool sensor projects that are all explained and well-illustrated with step-by-step instructions, this book also offers a great reference for the NXT hardware interfaces, and examples come complete with multiple, alternative NXT languages.The authors are leading experts in Lego MINDSTORMS hardware who are ready to take your NXT projects to the next level. But you will not need any prior experience with electronics to enjoy this book and create NXT projects with amazing sensors!

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First LEGO League: The Unofficial Guide Review

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(More customer reviews)Oh how I WISH I had this book three years ago when I started my team. It covers just about everything you need to know about starting and keeping a First LEGO League team. From basic teamwork strategies to building and programming tips and tricks, this book has it all. It is the perfect compliment to the official coach's guide provided by FLL. It's informative and easy to read without being either dumbed-down or over your head.
I highly recommend this book and I'm going to keep my copy table-side every season. Thanks James and Jonathan for putting together such a great resource!

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FIRST LEGO League (FLL) is an international program for kids ages 9 to 14 that combines a hands-on, interactive robotics program and research presentation with a sports-like atmosphere. Authors James Floyd Kelly and Jonathan Daudelin-both participants in numerous FIRST LEGO League competitions-have teamed up to bring coaches, teachers, parents, and students an all-in-one guide to FLL.

Written for both rookie and experienced teams, FIRST LEGO League: The Unofficial Guide includes in-depth coverage of topics like team formation and organization, robot building and programming, and the basics of getting involved with FLL. Before the authors delve into the specifics of robot and team building, they reveal the fascinating history of the FIRST organization and the sometimes puzzling structure of the FLL competition. Using a combination of real-life stories and candid commentary from actual FLL teams, as well as recollections of their own experiences, they offer an abundance of helpful guidance and dependable building and programming examples.

FIRST LEGO League: The Unofficial Guide explores the complex workings and structure of the FLL competition, including its four key components: Robot Game, Technical Interview, Project, and Teamwork. You'll learn how to:

Organize, recruit, and manage a team
Find equipment, mentors, and funding
Design, build, and program winning robots
Tackle each of the four FLL components-from Robot Game to Teamwork
Use strategies and techniques from FLL masters to increase your scores

No matter what your role in the FLL competition, FIRST LEGO League: The Unofficial Guide will make you a better competitor, builder, designer, and team member. The only ingredient you need to add is your competitive spirit!

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LEGO Software Power Tools, With LDraw, MLCad, and LPub Review

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(More customer reviews)I wasn't sure if this book would be worth picking up as I already know how to use MLCad... First off-you should get it from Amazon.com and save yourself a bundle.
It is a boon to have all of these programs in one place. They install very easily and you dont have any problems getting them up and running. That is a very good thing, especially for LEGO fans who are new to this stuff.
Second-there is some new information in here, even for long time users of MLCad like me. LSynth is amazing--MLCad users will be very happy to be able to finally include all of those flexible elements into their model files. I haven't started fooling around with LPub yet but it looks very interesting--basically allows you to create instructions a-la the sets you get with a real LEGO kit.
All in all I'd recommend this book, especially to someone who is new to these programs. There is nothing in this book that you
can't find on the web...
and the other sites whre you can download these programs and their instructions, or poking around on the forums.
HOWEVER!!!!! It would take you days, if not weeks, to assemble all of the info that is between the covers of this book, which I think makes it very worth while.
Check it out!
Signing off-
Blacktron23

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Create Virtual 3D LEGO Models Using LEGO Software Power ToolsLEGO Master Builders have created a powerful set of tools that are distributed as freeware to the LEGO community to assist LEGO fans in their building adventures. Until now, these tools have been difficult to find, and even more difficult to configure to work with one another. Here, in one book, readers will find steps for installing and using all of the most popular LEGO freeware applications. Also, all of the applications are consolidated into one simple-to-install program that allows readers to be up and running in minutesØWide market appeal. This book will appeal to the huge established consumer base of the LEGO community, as well as to children, parents, and teachers who may have been intimidated by the difficulties of bringing all of these applications under one roof.ØThe only book of its kind to cover the wide variety of applications available. Some books in the past have touched on one or two of these LEGO applications, but none has covered them all in such detail. ØCD provides all of these freeware applications in one easy to install program. Included CD packs more than 8 applications into one easy-to-use format, making it easy for readers to have access to all of these applications in minutes and avoid the headaches of trying to download, install, configure, set up folder structures, and troubleshoot such a wide variety of loosely related freeware applications.ØWill coincide with the release of Lpub. This will be the first in-depth look at LPub, the new creation of Kevin Clague, which ties LDraw, MLCad, L3P, and POV-Ray together to allow users to easily create professional quality LEGO instructions for both the printed page and the web.

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10 Cool LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Invention System 2 Projects: Amazing Projects You Can Build in Under an Hour Review

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(More customer reviews)Once again Syngres has put together a top notch team of Lego builders. The robots in here are incredible to say the least. I was amazed to see that CS Soh had a hand in this book as I've been a big fan of his LEGO work on the web for some time. I just finished building all of the robots in the prequel to this book for the Star Wars Dark side lego kit when I saw this become available. These are all top notch robots built by people who know their lego robots. They don't beat around the bush-they give you step by step instructions for buidling these robots. They go one step beyond the first book by giving you alternate building instructions for download. I'm going to use this in my high school robotics class. Top notch.

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LEGO MINDSTORMS lets you design and program robots that can do just about anything!The LEGO MINDSTORMS RIS 2.0 is the core set for all MINDSTORMS users, that lets users design and program working robots - limited only by their imagination. Initially designed for users 12 and up, LEGO MINDSTORMS has taken off with LEGO enthusiasts of all ages.10 Cool LEGO MINDSTORMS RIS 2.0 Projects: Amazing Projects You Can Build in Under an Hour provides step-by-step instructions and detailed illustrations for users of all skill levels and proficiencies.From out of the box to up and running in less than an hour. 8-page color insert. A color insert illustrates the complete projects in full-detail.Specifically targeted at new users of the LEGO MINDSTORMS RIS 2.0.

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The Unofficial LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Inventor's Guide Review

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(More customer reviews)As a father with two boys who are both interested in science and technology, it seemed a natural choice to check out the LEGO Mindstorms NXT set when it came out. Stepper motors with integrated rotation sensors, sensors for ultrasound, touch, light, and sound, USB and Bluetooth connectivity... well, you get the point! When my boys saw the NXT, they were very excited about it. When the box arrived it was like Christmas and birthday combined!
We built the model in the book first. A fun start. Then we built the models included on the CD. Very nice! After that though, we were on our own. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but our skills could only take us so far!
Fortunately there's an abundance of books about Mindstorms. We're up to five books at this point, and I'm always looking for more. It's not just the models, but also the insight on mechanical design and the new ways of looking at the available pieces. Each book takes a different approach to introducing the models and creating excitement, but unfortunately not all are as effective as others.
The newest book that we have in our collection is The Unofficial LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Inventor's Guide, by David J. Perdue. The cover model grabbed me immediately with its interesting steering design. The book itself begins with some very good beginner-level information on the Mindstorms set. If you've only read the documentation included with the set, this is very useful. It includes information on the sensors and motors, the Lego beams and pieces, and the software. From there it moves into a great discussion of working with gears. One could argue that this isn't information that is necessary if all you want to do is build robots, but it's the same philosophy as teaching a man to fish versus giving him a fish. The plans that come later in the book are more useful when you have a solid foundation of construction concepts.
The next three chapters focus on programming -- a basic then advanced chapter covers the programming environment, the various blocks, and how they all fit together. A third chapter moves beyond into unsupported languages. If you are looking to move beyond the LabView toolset, this is good information, but definitely only appropriate for an advanced audience.
Chapter 11 (page 125) begins the first build-it-yourself project. This means that roughly half of the book is background on Mindstorms, and the other half contains the six projects. The projects are good and include ample illustration and commentary. This is important because just seeing the sequence of construction steps isn't very helpful if you really want to understand it -- and, ideally, continue with your own projects. Unlike some books which rely on photos of the build sequence, Mr. Perdue uses LDraw to create professional-looking steps that look like the ones put out by the Lego company.
The programs are laid out with comments next to the blocks. This is nice to see as it sets a good example for budding programmers. There's also sidebar commentary to go into greater detail. The book includes a good variety of basic and advanced programming blocks. Using data wires, variables, math operations, and ranges opens up the door to logic that is more true-to-life -- hopefully without being intimidating to younger readers (my sons are 10 and 12).
One small quibble is that many of the programs are rotated sideways. This is a somewhat necessary approach since the programs get so darned wide! LabView needed to come up with a better way to visualize large programs. For the printed form, it might have worked better to make multi-page pull-out diagrams instead. It's not a big thing, but it did stand out.

Overall I really liked the book. It's a bit scant on the building plans for my own needs, but it really depends on what you are looking for. It's also inline with other similar books. For someone without so many books already in their library (as I have), having a good mix of plans and background is important. Lego did a great job of creating a robotics platform with incredible potential, but largely left it up to the community to realize that potential. Most of the books that I have attempt to bridge this gap by dividing up the book this way, but with varying degrees of success. I was very pleased with the approach taken by this book, the diagrams/illustrations, and the overall tone taken. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to take their Mindstorms experience further.

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Virtual Lego: The Official LDraw.org guide to LDraw Tools for Windows Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This book is excellent in almost every respect.
It does a great job of introducing the reader to the LDraw suite of tool for making LEGO creations on your computer. Though this book is geared toward beginners, it is also a great tool for those intermediate users looking to expand their LDraw horizons. I especially liked the sections on creating building instructions. Additionally, all the reference sections make this book worthwhile for even the seasoned LDrawer; I loved the visual color reference on the inside front cover. This book would make a fine addition to any LEGO enthusiasts library.

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Virtual LEGO introduces you to a suite of software that allows you to create and document computer- generated LEGO models. Written by maintainers of LDraw.org, the official hub of LDraw-based LEGO model-building software, the book includes coverage of popular tools such as LDraw, POV-Ray, MLCAD, L3P, 3PAO, and LPub. You'll learn how to use these software packages to build you own creations, make 3D scenes, and create building instructions. The CD-ROM contains all the software readers need to get started, all available LEGO parts models, templates for building instruction layouts, a collection of custom models by LEGO builders worldwide, and a gallery of beautifully rendered scenes created using the advanced techniques in the book's POV-Ray chapters.

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The LEGO Book Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I pre-ordered this set for my 12 yr old son. I received it yesterday and I must say I am quite pleased with the set. I found myself thoroughly enjoying the colorful pages and skimming over all the mini figures and sets that have evolved over the decades. Viewing the pages provided a bit of nostalgia for me as I was able to share my own memories with my son. This set is great for the Lego Collector or enthusiast. I really enjoyed the overview of the history of Lego along with the timelines and descriptions of manufacturing, etc.
If you are looking for "building tips" or "an idea book" this is not the book for you, instead I would look into the purchase of: "The Unofficial Lego Builder's Guide" by Allan Bedford, or the DK Lego Modelers series that have booklets containing ways to create characters using common lego pieces that you may already have in your collection.

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Reveal, explore, and celebrate the fascinating LEGO® story in The LEGO® Book. From its beginnings in a carpenter's workshop and the development of the first plastic brick, to the group's current position as an international brand, a timeline highlights key moments in LEGO® history. Fascinating facts on every significant LEGO® product line, theme park, video game, artwork, competition, club, collectible and more combine with images from the LEGO Group's photo archives-many seen here for the first time-and inspiring ideas on how to make a variety of things from just a few bricks. Packaged in a beautiful slip case with cutting-edge design, this two-volume set also features Standing Small-a 96-page book celebrating the minifigure. LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick configuration and the Minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2009 The LEGO Group.

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LEGO Harry Potter Building the Magical World Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)My husband is a huge Lego fan, as well as a huge Harry Potter fan. He's been collecting the Lego Harry Potter sets since they came out in 2001. So, when I saw this book, I just had to get it for him.
PROS: The book may as well be called "Lego Harry Potter: A History." It details each individual Lego set (or, in cases such as the Knight Bus, which had two sets, details the sets together) up to the beginning of 2011 and provides interesting tidbits about the designs of the sets and the minifigures that came with them. It also highlights some of the more prolific minifigures, such as Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Draco. It's really interesting to see how much detail is put into each set, and to see how the designs have improved through the years (The original Ginny minifigure pales in comparison to the newest one, for example). There's a "Behind the Scenes" section in the back that gives a short overview on the team that creates the Legos and on how the sets are designed, and there's a section on the HP Lego Video Game as well. It also includes a timeline of the different Lego HP sets, and a visual listing of all the minifigures. And finally, the book comes with an exclusive Harry minifigure, which appears to be "Yule Ball Harry."
CONS: Because the minifigure is imbedded in the cover of the book, the cover itself is about as thick as the pages for the rest of the book, so it gives the appearance that the book is twice as long as it actually is. The book also doesn't detail the newest Lego Harry Potter sets that were just released (e.g., the Forbidden Forest, the newest Hogwarts Castle set), though it does mention that they're coming out soon at the end of the book and has a large, two-page spread that pictures the sets.
OVERALL: This is definitely a great resource for any Harry Potter Lego collector, and is well worth the $14 we paid for it.

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The magic of Harry Potter™ and the fun of the LEGO® world, now in one incredible book!
Since it was first introduced in 2001, LEGO® Harry Potter™ has been one of the LEGO Group's most popular themes.This incredible guide gives readers an up-close look at the bricks, constructions, and minifigures of the LEGO® Harry Potter™ universe - from Hogwarts Castle to Hagrid's hut. This all inclusive book wouldn't be complete without an exclusive LEGO® Harry Potter™ minifigure!Who will it be?

You won't want to miss out on the exclusive interviews with the LEGO® Harry Potter™ team, and special sections allowing you to see, first-hand, how the bricks and figures come to be the toys we love today! The book will also feature a timeline that shows the evolution of the LEGO® Harry Potter™ construction sets, video game and board game.

LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick configuration and the Minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2011 The LEGO Group. Produced by DK Publishing under license from the LEGO Group. ™©Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights ©JKR. (s11)

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