5 comments about Ortho's All About Sprinklers and Drip Systems (Ortho's All About Gardening).

1. Although I am stating that this book is a little to basic, maybe what I was looking for was just more then this book was intended to deliver. I was looking for a book to help calculate how many zones were needed, what type of sprinkler heads, etc. This book had great photographs and basic knowledge. If you are ready to design and install your own system you might want a more detailed book.



2. Book does a pretty good job at hitting all the points in planning and installing your irrigation system. Installing a system kind of feels like a major undertaking at first, but after reading the book I feel pretty comfortable about it (although I've only begun my installation, guess we'll see if things stay nice and comfy). I liked some of the side points in the book where it went into a little more detail about certain aspects of the job, however, in other areas I felt there should have been more detail. Book seemed like it might be a little dated as a few topics seemed to stick with more old-school standards (e.g., poly-pipe is now used in many new areas to hook-up from the meter to the house, but the book assumed that you would only find copper, galvenized steel, or PVC (stiff white) pipe for this application). I also think a book like this should provide as many "common mistakes" as possible, this books only has a few.

   Although my gut feeling says 3 stars, I have to upgrade to 4 because there isn't that many books our there like this one and relative to those it seems to be a winner.




3. Just like most fields, irrigation is evolving quickly as regards new materials, products and standards. Overall, I feel the Ortho book gives good solid information for a do - it - yourselfer. There was no "BAD" information per se, and it does demystify the home irrigation system. You can save a lot of money installing your own system. You can also cause a lot of damage doing it incorrectly. This book can give you a good idea whether you can tackle installing a system or not. Use this book along with careful planning, to know what questions to ask either a sprinkler supply distributor or to hire an irrigation contractor.



4. Far too basic. If you want a glossy introduction to sprinklers, but have no plans to actually install a system, this is the book for you.
   
   If you want to install a sprinkler system, there are maybe 5 pages of useful information in this book, and not near enough detail to actually break ground. Find another source of information.



5. I've never done any irrigation work until recently. So I took a one day course from a pro and bought this book. Since a one day course can't cover all contingencies, I found that this book filled in a lot of gaps. My interest has mainly been in drip systems, not sprinklers. I now have a good working knowledge and sound like less of a fool when I order stuff from experts.
   
   BTW, I think with this book and all the free specialized information on the Internet, most folks don't have to go much further to study the subject.

No comments about Electronics Technology Fundamentals - Electron Flow (2nd Edition).

No comments about Practical Electrical Wiring.

No comments about National Electrical Code 1996 (National Electrical Code).

3 comments about Z-80 Microprocessor: Architecture, Interfacing, Programming, and Design (3rd Edition).

1. This book is a classic example of what a text-book should be like - easy to read, comprehend and apply.

   The book is split up in to thee sections - Interfacing, Architecture and Advanced topics. The reader is first introduced to the Z80 microprocessor and it's architecture, and a discussion follows as to why this device is still so important after twenty years of production.

   The detailed and easy to read section on Memory and Hardware interfacing is very straight-forward and rich with examples to follow.

   Although learning any new Assembly language can be rather intimidating, Gaonkar takes the sting out of it by supplying many useful examples and subroutines for the reader to follow and copy, with a detailed explination of the instruction set . Examples of binary multiplication and division are included, as are Binary to BCD conversion routines.

   Chapter three goes on to describe advanced topics in interfacing design, such as interrupts and wait-states. Programmable input/output devices are also discussed, such as the intel 8255, as is serial communication and the RS-232 protocol.

   The entire book is written in a very coherent fasion and the reader can really draw upon Gaonkar's obvious experience in this field. I cannot recommend this book highly enough to a novice approaching the Z80 microprocessor for the first time, or to any electronic engineer wishing to acquire a reference text on this subject.




2. This book must be adopted for training students during a serious introduction to microprocessor-based design as the book is quite motivating, and self contained. However, the practical applications presented therein are not enough and briefly explained.



3. Hello Amazon Staff,
   
   I did return this book to amazon last week. Please put my money back to credit card.
   Thank you very much.
   
   Tuong Luu
   tuong.luu@navy.mil

5 comments about Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Sharpening (Complete Illustrated Guide).

1. I have two books on sharpening. Which is a lot when you consider that sharpening is more of a chore than anything else. But it is a very important chore (second only to sweeping up), and one that can make woodworking a pleasure or a great pain. Until you develop good, disciplined sharpening techniques your work will be spotty at best. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a hand tool purist. But one of the reasons I have so many power planes, routers, and shapers is that, for a long time I was a very mediocre sharpener.
   
   Thomas Lie-Nielson makes some of the finest planes in the world. I have three, and each has proved out its value repeatedly. Much of the reason I bought this book was to see what he had to say, even though my copy of Leonard Lee's 'Complete Guide to Sharpening' has stood me in good stead. Unfortunately, Lie-Nielsen is a much better toolmaker than he is a writer. His presentation is quite dry, and not as detailed as I would have liked. And for some strange reason the photographer managed to 'miss' the action or make it difficult to puzzle out what was happening.
   
   In spite of this, Lie-Nielsen manages to explain somethings that Leonard Lee left out. He also offers more discussion on shaping the steel as well as sharpening it. His section on sharpening axes is a classic of straightforward clarity and brevity, for example. But While I am a fan of Taunton's 'Complete Illustrated' series, this time their offering falls short. Lee's book is half the price and every bit as useful



2. This is a very practical book on sharpening well illustrated which covers almost any sharp tool used in woodworking that has an iron cutting edge (not carbide). Unfortunately I got a defective copy (with some pages misplaced) which Amazon promptly replaced at no charge.



3. After an introduction to the basics of sharpening, the author take you step by step through the process of sharpening all the different kind of tools you can think of.
   
   The author start by exposing the different method of sharpening from using sand paper to using expensive ceramic stone. It is up to you to decide which one is for you based on your budget and taste.
   
   I would have given it a 5 stars if the picture don't always illustrate the point properly and because I would have liked more information on using a wet sharpener which as become quite popular nowaday.



4. An enjoyable read. great info on many topics, even some that you never though of but great background.



5. This book is for wood carvers and not for the neophyte wondering how to best sharpen a kitchen knife or a lawn mower blade. Lots of information and photographs, but it's hard to figure out what motion is going on from the still photography.
   In the first hour of looking through the content, I found several typo's and even more "wordo's". e.g. Page 70 - "Some Japanese stones have only one bevel." I don't think that "stones" have bevels - guess they meant "knives". Stilted language could be replaced by some simple advice. How about some straight-forward step-by-step instructions for sharpening a knife?

4 comments about Your First Workshop : A Practical Guide to What You Really Need (Getting Started in Woodworking).

1. I bought this book out of curiosity even though I have a well-equipped shop. Looking back at almost 15 years of random tool purchases, I'd say that many people like me end up having a lop-sided set of tools. For example, I have lots of power tools but my first decent bench came together only 2-3 years ago. I have four corded and four cordless drill/drivers, but some essential small tools suggested in this book are missing.
   
   With the benefit of hindsight I'd say that it is more important to have a wide array of the right things, rather than few high-end things. To that extent, this book is right on and a good place to start if you are setting up your (first) shop.
   
   Now I await the sequel to this book "...now that you have finally set up your first shop, The Shop you really want to have and why". You know, the one with all the cool tools and set up. Seriously, I'd like to see a shop book that tells you about the higher-end version of every item it suggests. That said, I do realize that the preceding approach would create an intimidating atmosphere for the builder of the first shop rather than the inviting, simplifying, and "you-can-do-it" approach of this book. Overall, this book is a job well done and will serve a first-time shop builder well.



2. This book labors on educating the reader with the NECESSARY tools for your shop and is written in layman's terms and understanding. It is therefore directed to the individual who is starting to set up his shop and lacks the knowledge as to what tools he/she may REALLY need to begin acquiring and to start woodworking and why. In this scope, the book will be good for the reader to have. This book has helped me and guided me into rethinking my tool acquisition strategy.
   
   The book has a few spelling and grammer errors but does not distract from the worth of the information.
   
   The book gives some very good examples and recommendations for tools but does not go in depth on the explanations. For example, she does recommend that a workbench be acquired and why but does not go into all the different types of vises that a workbench can incorporate. She does not into a depth discussion the pros and cons of how to construct the top from which materials or how to construct it. She recommends some hand planes to have in the beginning woodworkers collection and why, but not why the differences between a number 6 and a number 7 hand plane.
   
   From time to time the author will talk about a tool to acquire and state that it should be acquired later on when the skill and budget of the woodworker can use it. In other words, don't get all the fancy or timesaving tools now. Get what you need now, get the window dressing later.
   
   She briefly discusses how to set up the tools in your workshop according to the steps required by the flow of work, from bringing in the wood, tools required to square the wood through to the finished product.
   
   She talks about some skills that should be acquired and briefly well give the steps to accomplish that particular skill, but again not in depth. Other books should be acquired that does go into more depth. The deep depth is out of scope for this book and its intended goal.



3. I bought the book because of the good reviews, but was a bit disappointed. It was a nice overview of levels of shop equipment, but it was really geared towards the beginner. If you're building the 3 or 4 stage shop described in the book, you probably won't get anything new out of it.



4. This book is good if you need a list of the different tools it's possible to buy for a workshop, but otherwise you should pass it up and buy something else. Don't expect to learn how to use them or any workshop tips. You can find about the same information in a woodworking catalog, and they would be free. Save your money and buy a good compilation issue of WOOD magazine or one of the many other books available on Amazon.

1 comments about National Electrical Code, NEC Handbook 1999 (National Fire Protection Association//National Electrical Code Handbook) (National Fire Protection Association//National Electrical Code Handbook).

1. what can i say but here are all the rules to follow in order to be a safe and correct electrician. as an electrical contractor, i use this book almost daily to make sure my work is "up to code". the handbook shows in great detail plenty of examples and pictures of alot of the individual codes. this only helps to read and understand the national code. a must for anyone serious about his/her workmanship and the safety of the same workmanship.

5 comments about The Homeowners Guide to Energy Independence: Alternative Power Sources for the Average American.

1. This book covers all of the basics that you need to know. I was particularly interested in the solar stuff. The author explains how you can save and avoids being too technical. Highly recommended. Truthfully, this is the kind of book that should be required reading for every home builder, home owner, and school kid.



2. This book gives just the right level of detail to get homeowners going with renewable energy. It gives the right level of detail to make financial and behavioral decisions. I liked the large number of references, as well--they give the reader the ability to look into particular subjects with more detail.
   
   This book covers all the bases without getting to lengthy and losing the reader's interest. It will get you informed and then get you on your way.



3. This is a great book for those who are looking at this topic for the first time. I wld recommend it to those who have just developed an interest in this area. It gives a basic overview & should wet the tastebuds for more - further information & weblinks are given in the back.



4. Homeowners interested in sustainable living will want to delve into this book, which will give them the basics to begin thinking about alternative energy.



5. A great title like this should be written by someone with experience in the field. There are a lot of sources from this guy named.... or this person from... This seems like someone just wanted to get a paycheck for writing a book on a hot topic.

No comments about Electrical Estimating Pal: The Professional's Choice (Pal Pocket Reference Series) (Pal Pocket Reference Series).