Best computer hardware peripherals books according to redditors

I've suggested it to a lot of people today (looks like that askreddit thread got a lot of new subscribers over here)

Grab this book. It's a fantastic little book that will get you from 0 knowledge of Linux and the Raspberry Pi, to making a simple game, to setting up buttons to turn lights on/off, to making a file server.

By the time you're done with this book, the only thing you'll be limited to is your imagination. You'll have enough technical knowhow to do most things, and if you don't, you'll know enough of the correct keywords to look it up. It's really a great place to start.

Cheers, also in the UK at https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01NAKN8A8/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1482417031

Although old, this book does a very good job explaining the Android architecture https://www.amazon.com/Embedded-Android-Porting-Extending-Customizing/dp/1449308295

Given it was written for Android 4, it doesn't have all the new Treble staff (the basis are still the same, so I think it's still worth reading), but the author has a set of slides that you can read after the book to get the recent changes: https://www.slideshare.net/opersys/presentations

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Another useful book is https://www.amazon.com/Embedded-Programming-Android-Bringing-Scratch/dp/0134030001 . This one focuses more on getting AOSP running on a new device, and not that much in its internals or customization.

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Two newer books I have recently found (although I haven't had time to read them) are https://www.amazon.com/Android-System-Programming-customizing-debugging/dp/178712536X (same author as the previous one, content mostly related to building the kernel and getting AOSP running in a new device/emulator) and https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Embedded-Android-N-Programming-ebook/dp/B01841W9AU

They are still pre-treble, but they are probably still useful.

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Besides those, if you want something more related to internals and not so much on how to "get the source code and build AOSP", you could check https://www.amazon.com/Android-Security-Internals-Depth-Architecture/dp/1593275811 and https://www.amazon.com/Android-Hackers-Handbook-Joshua-Drake/dp/111860864X

1. Get a model B+. The biggest improvement as far as a novice user is concerned is that it has 4 USB ports. The model B only had 2, so if you wanted to plug in something like mouse + keyboard + WiFi dongle + webcam, you'd need an external powered USB hub. So the B+ is well worth it just for that.
   
   
2. Don't feel bad - you're right that a lot of the blog posts/tutorials you can find online are written for people who already understand Linux and electronics, so will be full of jargon that you don't understand. For example, many people will point you to the elinux.org wiki in the sidebar - but IMO that isn't well-written for beginners, so it isn't a good starting point.
   
   There are definitely some completely beginner-friendly resources out there. Many of them have a series of lessons you can follow one at a time. Typical "beginner" tutorials will start you off with something very simple, like blinking an LED. Then you learn how to use a button press to toggle an LED on and off. This gets you familiar with the very basics of inputs and outputs, and then you can start doing more complicated projects.
   
   Here are four YouTube channels with good tutorial videos (they were linked to from the official announcement of the Model B+, so you know they're legit):
   
   

• RaspberryPiIVBeginners (particularly check out the series of "Raspberry Pi - GPIO & Python" videos here)
  
• The Raspberry Pi Guy
  
• Raspi.TV
  
• Geek Gurl Diaries
  
  If you don't mind spending money, I definitely recommend this book:
  
  
• Getting Started with Raspberry Pi
  
  This book is written for kids, but it's just as useful to a novice adult:
  
  
• Adventures in Raspberry Pi
  
  I haven't looked through any of these in detail yet, but there are a bunch of resources on the official website (and ideally, since their original mission was K-12 education, these will be written for beginners):
  
  http://www.raspberrypi.org/resources/learn/
  
  Anyway - I'd probably recommend starting out with the "blink an LED, push a button" route, but it's up to you. Browse through the tutorials and see if there's something that really catches your eye. If you have trouble understanding something, feel free to message me (I work in science education so I'm used to explaining stuff like this), or just make a new post in this sub. Generally, if you've at least tried to figure it out on your own/have done your homework and can write an articulate post like you've done here, you'll get some helpful responses (as opposed to "hey guyz i don't understand/know what to do with a raspberry pi what should i do", in which case people will usually tell you to go Google it).

On the internet

Or if you prefer to do things more legally than the guy who wrote it

https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Watch-User-Guide-Complete/dp/1723502758/ref=mp_s_a_1_30?ie=UTF8&qid=1537463242&sr=8-30&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=watch+book&dpPl=1&dpID=51F8TIsyQhL&ref=plSrch

Should do the trick! Cheap and a great read!

For learning to program the Arduino, I HIGHLY recommend Simon Monk's : Programming Arduino, Getting Started with Sketches books.


For the electronics side, his Electronics Cookbook: Arduino and Raspberry Pi is also great.


Jeremy Blum's : Exploring Arduino is also very nice.

The two data pins don't convey two separate streams of data (movement and clicks, as you presume). In fact, they carry only a positive and a negative version of the same serial data that is sent from receiver to PC or, vice versa, from PC to receiver.

This serial data 'bus' is the conduit that allows for the wireless mouse receiver to identify itself to the computer (allowing the operating system to download any necessary drivers so as to 'understand' the device), and for the mouse to send back information on mouse movement (up / down, left / right, scroll wheel) or button presses (left? right? scroll click? other?)

The actual and detailed mechanics of just the USB interaction would probably fill several textbooks, but suffice it to say, your $25 wireless mouse "just working" when you plug it in is the end-product of probably millions of hours of work (and billions in investment) in computer interfacing, operating systems development, hardware and software engineering, and getting competing interests together long enough to hash out a common framework.

The danger of the A-A cable is that a user might connect it incorrectly. If you're confident that you won't do this, then there's no problem. The USB spec attempts to create cabling that is impossible to connect incorrectly.

A USB to PS2 adapter wouldn't protect a user from using the cable incorrectly. They could still detach the adapter and connect the cable to two adjacent ports, or leave the adapter attached and connect the cable between a PS/2 port and USB port of the same computer.

The USB spec is published by the USB Implementors Forum. The spec itself is heavy reading; if you're interested in this topic, I'd recommend USB Complete. But unless you come from a software or hardware development background, it's going to be a tough read.

Here are 2 awesome guides: 1 & 2. But as indicated in this thread you probably should get a well know micro-controller and use it to build a knowledge base. The Arduino is an Italian micro-controller that is based on an Atmel chipset. It has a massive online following and support for it can be found in /r/Arduino or here at their website. This has numerous shields that can be added on to add features. These are things like GPRS (SMS and Mobile connectivity), Ethernet (Wireless) and Motor Control. You can buy components and such from: https://www.sparkfun.com/ ; https://www.adafruit.com/ ; http://www.mouser.com/ . The Arduino favors hardware prototyping and tinkering. The Arduino is programmed using its own software that is free and available. It has its own IDE (integrated development Environment) and is programmed using its own take on the assembly language. It is quite easy to use, well supported and open source.

Also, you might consider the Raspberry Pi which is explained in this Ted Talk by Eben Upton one of the creators of the board. I believe it uses AVR. The "A" board is slightly smaller (storage) and boots linux from a SD card or Flash as does the "B" which has slightly more storage and WiFi hardware. The Pi is typically programmed in Python but can be used I think with almost any language(C, C+, Assembly etc.)

Also, there is a Micro called BeagleBone. It is similar to Pi but has a few different features. It is very powerful and can be researched(as a starting point here. I know very little about this board and believe it to be more advanced than the former 2 I had mentioned.

These resources can be used for the Arduino: Getting Started and Cookbook.

A few resources to get started: Python & Pi and Getting Started

The first 2 resources I listed 1 & & 2 Are absolutely brilliant. They teach basic electronics introduction to Eagle Cad A free PCB (printed Circuit Board) program that people use to draw schematics and PCB. Which is pretty important. I linked the free version which is more than powerful enough for a beginner. The resource [1] is really helpful I would read it thoroughly if interested. Also, places like http://makezine.com/ is a good place for DIYers. Also you might like this news channel that follows hacker stuff (it is from Y-Combinator an Incubator for some silicon valley start ups) listed here. These links should cover you for a while.

> CBT nuggets

Ah great, some video resources recommended too. I'll research those books you recommend.

I did in fact buy an interesting book:

Raspberry Pi Networking Cookbook PACKT

Which seems quite practical orientated and in particular linux-server focused.

PACKT seem like a really good format for reading and learning and doing type of open publisher.

Getting started with Raspberry Pi by Matt Richardson and Shawn Wallace should be good. Haven't read it though, but I've heard it's a good read.

I bought a couple kits on Amazon that come with PDF manuals on CD. Things like this. I got this book which really helped me understand sketches instead of just modifying other people's code.

I got into arduino because I had these two kits:

https://www.amazon.com/Make-Electronics-Components-Pack-1/dp/B00T0UCLIK/ref=sr_1_2

https://www.amazon.com/Make-Electronics-Components-Pack-2/dp/B00T0UCLF8/ref=sr_1_3

Which are meant to go with this book (although I think they might be meant for the first edition of the book). It's awesome, this guy explains how most basic components work as he guides you through several projects.

Finally, go to your local Radio Shacks today and get some components on the cheap. Look for resistor packs, LEDs, capacitors, toggles (switches, buttons, etc.), battery holders, hookup wire, heat shrink tubing, logic chips, timer chips, transistor packs, DIP sockets, PCB, project boxes, any arduino boards, motors, servos, solder, tools (like precision screwdrivers, soldering irons and accessories, IC extractors, wire cutters/strippers). If you get into this hobby, you might regret missing this clearance sale.

I found this book to be very helpful, specifically with the programming.

Programming Arduino: Getting Started with Sketches, Second Edition (Tab) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1259641635/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_JiLpNCgexyZf6

I wrote the code to manage the experimental test harness for a sensor that was launched aboard the shuttle.

The test harness was the more interesting portion. It was composed of a 386 PC with a whopping 8MB of RAM and a 387 FPU. In 1990, even with the 486, this was some serious hardware, especially the RAM.

Hardware included a stepper motor and a channel plate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microchannel_plate_detector) to record results. Eggbrecht (http://www.amazon.com/Interfacing-Personal-Computer-Lewis-Eggebrecht/dp/0672227223) was my friend.

The code to manage the setup was written in approx. 250 screens of glorious DOS-extended 32-bit LMI/Forth. It did everything from control the hardware to generate a very basic but serviceable GUI. Hardware control was at a very low level, with direct interaction with devices, DMA code (also written in Forth), etc.

I still have the source.

The answer depends upon your level of understanding of basic electronics. You need to walk before you can run! In order to understand USB you need to at least be comfortable with basic digital serial interfaces. Arduino is a good place to start, mostly due to easy access to materials and a massive support community. The platform has seriously reduced the barrier to entry for the general public.

This is a great, detailed reference to all things USB: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1931448086/ref=aw_ls_7_5?colid=18UZEL8QFE7D3&coliid=I37YFHFDGJRR0J

Ultimate Amazon Echo & Alexa User Guide

I am doing a free giveaway today as part of a promotion with Amazon. This Ultimate Alexa User Guide is a synthesis of all my knowledge about Alexa & Amazon Echo. I share all my tips on the best way to play music from Alexa, how to build your smart home and more. Feedback welcomed!

The book 3D Printing Blueprints is that book by 3D Printing Professor of Youtube. Blender is what he uses to model with for his prints. Go to his video tab and switch it to oldest first and there should be something there to get you started. Plus I have found his book at the library so check there for it if you have a card.

It's already updated. The newest books cover exams 220-801 & 220-802. They haven't started testing for it in my area, though.

In order for a modem to work on an ISP's network, the modem needs to be 'activated' by the ISP. During this process the modem is linked with the customers account and any speed limitations are set.

It is possible to hack a modem in order to bypass the limitations, though this is considered theft-of-service, which is illegal.

Thank you, I think I'll give the book a try.
I've also found a more up to date version, but it's not available yet.

Depends on what accessories you have around the house already (keyboard, mouse, protoboard, USB wifi if you go that route). I've bought Pis as single boards and as kits with accessories. I did have to get a hdmi to dvi cable to work with the monitor I had. If i had nothing at all and wanted to experiment I would probably get the kit that comes with the protoboard, and the little electronic bits like thermometer, infrared etc etc. I also highly recommened this book : http://www.amazon.com/Raspberry-Pi-Hacks-Inexpensive-Computer/dp/1449362346/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1420940965&sr=1-1&keywords=Raspberry+Pi+Hacks

In this case you're mostly buying the books and not getting that much hardware. In particular that kit seems to skimp on some of the small cheap components like resistors.

For about the same money you could get these:

Programming Arduino: Getting Started with Sketches, Second Edition (Tab) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1259641635/

Elegoo Mega 2560 Project The Most Complete Ultimate Starter Kit w/ TUTORIAL, MEGA 2560 controller board, LCD1602, Servo, Stepper Motor for Arduino Mega2560 UNO Nano https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EWNUUUA/

Total: $70.19

This could be a good starting point

http://www.amazon.com/Learn-how-to-use-3d-printer/dp/1118660757

Hey thanks so much for the in depth reply, its much appreciated! I like the looks of those two kits you posted, they look like the come with a lot of stuff. Would one of those kits be better than this one? I am also looking at picking up Arduino for Dummies as I feel that would help out. I do not have any programming experience, though I am willing to learn as I feel it would only help me get more into this. I do have a multi meter but no soldering iron. My only concern with buying one of the kits you listed is that they seem more oriented towards people who already have some semblance of an idea as to what they are doing. What I like about each of the kits I linked, the one in this comment, and the other in my introduction post was that they both came with some sort of instruction booklet. Anyway, thank you for all you wrote, I'll definitely take it into consideration!

Arduino is pretty cool. It can help them get a feel for electronics.

• Arduino for dummies
  
• Arduino projects for dummies
  
• Fixing electronics
  

Arduino for Dummies might be more what you're looking for. I'm not sure what you mean when you say "don't have much electrics background," but I find a lot of the 'beginner' Arduino books tend to assume at least some high-school level physics and math skills as translated to electronics. I find the For Dummies series to be about as basic as it gets without picking up actual school textbooks.

The other suggestions are great too, so I would sample everything, and find a match to your comfort level with existing electronics knowledge you may already have.