Featuring updated instructions for the improved leJOS NXJ software, this accessible manual is the perfect guide to LEGO Mindstorms NXT, an incredible new kit for building and programming your own robots. Using Java, the most popular and easy-to-use programming language available, this manual helps engineers and amateurs alike design and build their own customized robots, programmed however they desire. Complete with a diverse set of projects, building tips, programming codes, complete 3D-rendered building instructions, and hundreds of illustrations, this useful handbook is the perfect complement to the LEGO NXT kit. The NXT intelligent brick's Bluetooth capabilities are introduced as well as the newest available parts, including the gyro and the RFID sensor.
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About the Author
Brian Bagnall is a key developer of the leJOS NXJ, the Java SDK for LEGO Mindstorms, and is a Sun Certified Java Programmer and Developer. He is the author of many computer titles, including the groundbreaking Core LEGO MINDSTORMS Programming and Sun Certified Programmer for Java 2 Study Guide.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By M. Bull
Format:Paperback
I bought this book not long ago, and I've got through the first few chapters.
I can definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to do a little more with their NXT and build some more interesting robots. It's a great way to start playing around with some ideas if you're used to a certain amount of programming and find the graphical programming language that comes with the NXT just too restricting.
However there are a number of pretty weird mistakes with this book. References to things that aren't there (but presumably were in drafts), errors in the way you set up java and eclipse, and rather unclear diagrams. I have a certain amount of experience with java, so I was able to set things up fairly quickly. But I can imagine many people getting frustrated.
I would have given this 5 stars were it not for the mistakes. This is the kind of thing that could be fixed with a second edition which is properly edited and thought-out.
There is also a forum on the lejos website where you can ask any questions, so in some ways the book really is just the beginning of what will hopefully be a long and interesting road.
I can definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to do a little more with their NXT and build some more interesting robots. It's a great way to start playing around with some ideas if you're used to a certain amount of programming and find the graphical programming language that comes with the NXT just too restricting.
However there are a number of pretty weird mistakes with this book. References to things that aren't there (but presumably were in drafts), errors in the way you set up java and eclipse, and rather unclear diagrams. I have a certain amount of experience with java, so I was able to set things up fairly quickly. But I can imagine many people getting frustrated.
I would have given this 5 stars were it not for the mistakes. This is the kind of thing that could be fixed with a second edition which is properly edited and thought-out.
There is also a forum on the lejos website where you can ask any questions, so in some ways the book really is just the beginning of what will hopefully be a long and interesting road.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2.9 out of 5 stars
18 reviews
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not ready for publication!
5 July 2007
By Toaster
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
This book was published before it was ready. There are numerous inaccuracies, misleading statements, missing steps, incorrect file names, vague references, poorly written instructions and aggrivating projects that just plain don't work or suddenly leave you in the dark
This book has many good ideas and interesting topics BUT...
NOT FOR THE NEW JAVA PROGRAMMER
Even intermediate would be pushing it.
Right from the beginning nothing works as the book describes:
- LEJOS installation instructions are wildly incorrect
- Developer environment installation and setup instructions are missing critical steps
- Critical explanations and critical steps are missing throughout
- Explanations will suddenly jump from explaining the basics to saying things like "Now download your favorite free chess program and hack it to control your chess playing robotic arm." -- Uh....okay..
- Bluetooth set-up and operation does not work as described and steps are again - missing.
- If you can't get bluetooth working, you can't do some of the projects and here again the technical level jumps from very basic to expert.
- Programs can only be run ONCE then must be downloaded again to run them again.
I'm sorely disappointed.
The LEJOS project has a LOT of great potential and I will return to it at a future date but as it currently stands this book has left a very sour taste in my mouth.
Publishing this book should have waited at least until book and product match up.
It needed a lot more proof reading.
Releasing the book in its current state only damages any LEJOS following that it could have inspired and damages the readers trust in the reputation of an author that is intelligent and very knowledgeable.
This book has many good ideas and interesting topics BUT...
NOT FOR THE NEW JAVA PROGRAMMER
Even intermediate would be pushing it.
Right from the beginning nothing works as the book describes:
- LEJOS installation instructions are wildly incorrect
- Developer environment installation and setup instructions are missing critical steps
- Critical explanations and critical steps are missing throughout
- Explanations will suddenly jump from explaining the basics to saying things like "Now download your favorite free chess program and hack it to control your chess playing robotic arm." -- Uh....okay..
- Bluetooth set-up and operation does not work as described and steps are again - missing.
- If you can't get bluetooth working, you can't do some of the projects and here again the technical level jumps from very basic to expert.
- Programs can only be run ONCE then must be downloaded again to run them again.
I'm sorely disappointed.
The LEJOS project has a LOT of great potential and I will return to it at a future date but as it currently stands this book has left a very sour taste in my mouth.
Publishing this book should have waited at least until book and product match up.
It needed a lot more proof reading.
Releasing the book in its current state only damages any LEJOS following that it could have inspired and damages the readers trust in the reputation of an author that is intelligent and very knowledgeable.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Book
28 April 2008
By Aaron P. Fletcher
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Despite the nasty reviews surrounding this book, I strongly dis-agree. I thought this book was extremely helpful. I am a java programmer but my work is in the data integration area. This book really helped me to step out of the box and start programming movement between motors,sensors,etc. I enjoy all of Brian's writings, blogs, books, etc. You won't find a better book about programming NXT bricks with Java. And who expects a 12 year old to pick up this book and understand? It's a book most suitable for experienced java programmers.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good mindstorms book for those who know or want to know Java
24 May 2007
By fido
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Received a few days ago, still getting through it. This book seems to be for people with at least some familiarity with Java.
Pros: Reasonable instructions for building a bunch of different robots, a long with some 'patterns' that can be used for your own creations; Full software listings of Java programs to control robots; seems well written with an easy to read style.
Cons: Construction plans not colour, making it difficult to follow at times; discussion of Java programs not necessarily as thorough as could be; Java discussion in general seems a bit thin; Java set up instructions seem a little glossed over.
Conclusion: It seems that this book is pitched at someone who knows at least a little bit of Java, or at the very least wants to learn about Java, and also wants to get into mindstorms. Since that pretty much sums me up, I think it is worth it's weight in gold. For those who are not familiar with Java, I think this book will still be a useful addition to the mindstorms library, however there may be better alternatives. As a Lego Mindstorms Java book for Java developers, it gets *6* stars, but as a pure Mindstorms book for those with little Java skills, I can see it could easily get knocked down to 3 or 4 stars.
Finally, not to put too fine a point on it, this book is about a hojillion times better than "LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Hacker's Guide", as this book actually gives some practical building instructions along with code to do some fairly cool stuff.
Pros: Reasonable instructions for building a bunch of different robots, a long with some 'patterns' that can be used for your own creations; Full software listings of Java programs to control robots; seems well written with an easy to read style.
Cons: Construction plans not colour, making it difficult to follow at times; discussion of Java programs not necessarily as thorough as could be; Java discussion in general seems a bit thin; Java set up instructions seem a little glossed over.
Conclusion: It seems that this book is pitched at someone who knows at least a little bit of Java, or at the very least wants to learn about Java, and also wants to get into mindstorms. Since that pretty much sums me up, I think it is worth it's weight in gold. For those who are not familiar with Java, I think this book will still be a useful addition to the mindstorms library, however there may be better alternatives. As a Lego Mindstorms Java book for Java developers, it gets *6* stars, but as a pure Mindstorms book for those with little Java skills, I can see it could easily get knocked down to 3 or 4 stars.
Finally, not to put too fine a point on it, this book is about a hojillion times better than "LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Hacker's Guide", as this book actually gives some practical building instructions along with code to do some fairly cool stuff.
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2.9 out of 5 stars
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