Rating: Summary: Jan hits the target with this book Review: I was sceptical. I no longer am. This book shows you how to get started implementing USB in Windows based programs. Visual Basic may be used on the PC side, and Jan shows examples that do just this. While USB design is usually thought to require C/C++ programming, this isn't necessarily true. Of course, actual design and/or performance requirements may dictate that VB not be used, still it may be a viable way to implement specific USB designs. Jan also shows that USB design involves the firmware that is implemented in the USB hardware itself. She covers these details well.
Rating: Summary: = * * * Review: I would say this book is about 1/4 very general information, 1/4 Windows specific stuff, 1/4 hardware level stuff, and 1/4 USB protocol stuff. There is about 400 pages of content (big font), so each of those is about 100 pages.I personally was not looking for Windows specific stuff or hardware level stuff, and the general stuff was too general to be of interest to me. So only about 1/4 of the book had information of value to me. That 1/4 was pretty good, but nothing special... ok it was special in the sense that I have not seen any other books right now even trying to provide the same information, and I find the USB specs excessively arcane/byzantine.
Rating: Summary: Don't by ADOBE READER version, it ... Review: I'm disappointed with the electronic format, you can't print pages or copy parts of the text. Since this book contains programming examples and other information that might be difficult to look at on the screen while programming, it makes it close to useless. Now I have to go out and by the paper version as well, which makes it an expensive book. But the CONTENT deserves five stars!
Rating: Summary: Good Overview of USB1 Review: I've been involved with USB for a short time. I was looking for a book that provided an overview of USB requirements and how these requirments relate to applications. Jan's book did well on both issues. I would however, encourage the author to update the book ASAP to cover the new requirmensts in the recently released USB2.0 specification
Rating: Summary: another alternative: www.ftdi.co.uk Review: i've incorporated usb to my applications by using ftdi's royalty-free solution...The chip is a usb-to-serial convertor, appearing as a virtual comport on the pc, OR through the use of direct drivers enables the chip to be recognized as s true usb device. its probably the most painless way to quickly get usb on your device, but FTDI has yet to get their XP drivers digitally signed.
Rating: Summary: A basic course for USB & indepth reference at the same time Review: If you don't know anything about USB and you would like learn it from ground up,this book can be one of your best choices.Even if you're familiar with USB,it can still be an indepth reference for you. Beside the exact technical points,method of discussion which Jan uses,makes you aware to the way that you pass to understand each chapter. I've some experiences about old interfaces like serial and parallel port during many projects,but after reading this book,I didn't hesitate to jump into USB world.I'm sure this book can be a reliable escort for me.
Rating: Summary: Used correctly, a great resource Review: In order to really get the full value out of this book, you need to understand what it is. It's a conversational book with an easy-to-read style and clear examples. What it is intended to do is explain the hardest-to-understand parts of the USB Standard, fill in common problem areas such as host programming, and get you comfortable thinking about the USB structure. It does not contain every nuance of the USB Standard; in fact, the book would be very confusing if it did. This book is more of a companion or guide to the USB documentation. It's like having an experienced friend nearby to explain things to you in order to get over the rough spots, and recommend hardware and programming tactics that worked for them. Using this book, you can very quickly determine what your target application will require, and zero in on the structures you will have to design as well as the relevant portions of the USB Standard. It helps you to actually *understand* the structure of your application, instead of memorizing routines and not knowing how they really work. I used the first version of this book a while back, and the second version is just as good but with more of today's technology. Oh, and don't cheap out and get the electronic version...the book version is very well laid out and much easier on the eyes. Plus it looks more impressive on the bookshelf. ;-)
Rating: Summary: The Best USB Reference Review: Jan has really done an impressive job on explaining USB and how to create applications for it. This is by far the best USB resource that you can get - included with the book is a CD-ROM with Visual C++, Visual Basic and example Tools that you can work with to develop your own USB applications.
Rating: Summary: Essential USB Resource Review: Jan's book, USB Complete, is an essential resource to study to gain an understanding of the Universal Serial Bus. The book covers the major topics of general USB operation, as well as the implementation of USB in a Personal Computer host, and the design of USB peripherals. The book should be used as a key development tool to implement a USB design. Jan provides source code examples of interfacing to a USB device, using a slow step-by-step approach to make it easier to grasp the often obscure details of the Windows USB API. The examples are presented simultaneously in Microsoft Visual Basic and Visual C. The examples are not a rehashing of USB API documentation, but a clear presentation of code born from actual development efforts. Frankly there is no single source of USB information presented in a way that is easier to read and comprehend.
Rating: Summary: Comprehensive Review: No where have I found a book that includes so much information on the subject. Really a great resource.
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