PC Toys: 14 Cool Projects for Home, Office and Entertainment

by Barry Press and Marcia Press

Come on out and play You can only surf the Net so long. You can only play so much video poker. So if you're a PC addict who's ready for some new fun, this book is your toybox. Each of the 14 projects inside includes a parts list, suggestions for finding the needed equipment, clues to the cost, helpful Web links, and complete directions. What's that? You have a few ideas of your own? Check out the suggestions in the final chapter, and start inventing...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 076454229X
• ISBN13: 9780764542299
• Release Date: November 2003
• Publisher: Wiley
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.2" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Very Cool

I already bought Linux Toys, and had no idea that ExtremeTech would be doing one on PCs (Windows) as well, so I was very excited when I ordered this.When it arrived, I was not disappointed. It has some very cool projects, and is written is a very easy going style. Step by step instructions are very important in a book like this, and it certainly delivers.My only complaint is that some projects are a little "more cool" than others, but that may just be my own preferences. I thought the weather station project, for instance, could have gone a bit further, but I loved the Jukebox project. I guess with 14 different projects, everyone is bound to find something they like.If you like tinkering, and you have an extra Windows box, pick this little gem up. You will have a blast.

I wanted to give it 5 BILLION stars but....

This book is great. That's all I have to say. Buy it.

Why in heavens-name have you not purchased this book yet

Not only does this awesome book tell you how to turn your old pc into a super-cool tivo (which is all the rage). But it leads you through new ways to use your pc. GUESS WHAT your pc is not only for word processing and email or browsing the internet. (that was so like 40 seconds ago.) In all honesty it is worth every penny. A joy to read ........... So why are you still reading this: order the book and read that!!!! Need I say more?

Lots of Fun

I first heard about this book when the author was on the Computer America radio show, and he was discussing the build your own TiVo-type PVR project. This is something I have been thinking about for quite a while, so I got the book.Its actually full of projects like that - all very cool, and with do it yourself instructions for each one.Some of the projects dont seem to go as far as I would like, but they are great to get you going and provide some very solid foundation for your own modifications and tweaks.The writing style is easy to understand, and not at all over your head like some computer books.By the way, I discovered that this is actually a series of books that Extremetech.com is doing, and it sounds like they are doing more.All in all, I rate this 5 stars - mostly for the fun factor that makes this book, and these projects very interesting.

Very Cool

I already bought Linux Toys, and had no idea that ExtremeTech would be doing one on PCs (Windows) as well, so I was very excited when I ordered this.When it arrived, I was not disappointed. It has some very cool projects, and is written is a very easy going style. Step by step instructions are very important in a book like this, and it certainly delivers.My only complaint is that some projects are a little "more cool" than others, but that may just be my own preferences. I thought the weather station project, for instance, could have gone a bit further, but I loved the Jukebox project. I guess with 14 different projects, everyone is bound to find something they like.If you like tinkering, and you have an extra Windows box, pick this little gem up. You will have a blast.