Rating: 
Summary: What this book does and doesn't cover...
Review: I wrote Parallel Port Complete to serve as the ultimate guide to the hardware of the PC's parallel printer port, especially for non-printer applications. I cover all of the port's modes, including the original Centronics-compatible interface and the later Byte, EPP, and ECP modes. In addition to explaining what each mode can do and how it accomplishes it, I show how to select and use each mode on a PC.To demonstrate the different modes, I've included Visual-Basic code and simple hardware circuits that emulate peripherals. Because Windows has had limited built-in support for the advanced modes, my examples use direct port accesses from applications, using a DLL provided on the book's disk. The book also has a variety of simple applications, such as an interface to an analog-to-digital converter, control of a synchronous serial link, and various ways to use the port to switch power to a load. The examples include schematics, explanations, and program code. I explain when to use a low-level device driver to access the port (for hardware interrupts, for example) and the options for drivers, which include buying a control that accesses a generic driver and writing a custom driver. You won't find a tutorial on driver writing, however. This is a big enough topic to require its own book, and there are in fact several fine books about how to write drivers for the various Windows flavors. (See Walter Oney, Karen Hazzah, Chris Cant, Peter Viscarola, Art Baker, Edward Dekker.) This book began as a series of articles for Microcomputer Journal magazine. I used comments and suggestions from readers of these articles to expand and improve the material in the book. Thanks for your interest in Parallel Port Complete! Jan Axelson jan@lvr.com
Rating: 
Summary: Great gizmos but - the interfacing is bad!
Review: Its great book indeed. yes It is. But When I am looking on the smal programs that is bipacked with the book, that is intended for the real interfacing has huge lacks. For instance.. The program that scans the paralellport have to be set on a timer event in delphi or visual basic. Now what about the interupt in the paralellport or in the subject of devicedriver programming.. nothing metioned as far as I have seen.. I give this 3 and a half star..
Rating: 
Summary: This is a must for every hardware and software hacker!
Review: Jan really created a masterpiece here. This book is a must for every hacker's library. Every Visual Basic user needs the information in this book if they plan to use the PP for I/O. In addition, it is full of very helpful information. No fluf pages here, all solid meat!
Rating:
Summary: This is a must for every hardware and software hacker!
Review: Jan really created a masterpiece here. This book is a must for every hacker's library. Every Visual Basic user needs the information in this book if they plan to use the PP for I/O. In addition, it is full of very helpful information. No fluf pages here, all solid meat!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book
Review: One of the best written technical guides I have ever read. Especially good for Visual Basic programming. The only criticism I have is that the accompanying disk is not up to par with the book in its organization, thoroughness, and ease. However, the disk is still "okay" by the standards of most books. Highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Buenas obras
Review: Para empezar creo que se trata de una obra completisima por tratarse de temas tan interesantes pricipalmente para gentes metidos en el ambito computacional. Se puede usar como un libro principal para un curso de programacion de puertos o en su defecto como libro de consulta.
Rating:
Summary: Great book with one HUGE drawback
Review: There's a pretty thorough overview of all sorts of PC parallel ports and their use for non-trivial interfacing (other that the printers, that is.) An enormous drawback of this book is that all code is in Visual Basic. That is as revolting as Knuth's use of his imaginary MIX assembly in his algorightms books. Hard to justify, especially for such a hardware-specific area of programming. Otherwise the book is very helpful.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Source
Review: This book has it all. It has to be one of the only good books on the subject. If you look on the web for information on parallel port control, it will probably refer to her book. Her website is a source of tons of information, and is a great addition to the book. A warning however; if you are not familair with computers, or visual basic programming, then this is not the book for you. You really need to have an understanding at the bit level. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not for the beginner
Review: This book is very complete indeed, but it assumes you already know a fair bit about electronic circuitry. As a computer programmer with little electronics experience, I first had to read up on basic electronics. Also, some sections could have been easier to understand if there was more supporting details or examples. However, the book did answer most of my questions about the parallel port and I was able to complete my programming project on time. I would rate this book a 3.5 to 4.0
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not for the beginner
Review: This book is very complete indeed, but it assumes you already know a fair bit about electronic circuitry. As a computer programmer with little electronics experience, I first had to read up on basic electronics. Also, some sections could have been easier to understand if there was more supporting details or examples. However, the book did answer most of my questions about the parallel port and I was able to complete my programming project on time. I would rate this book a 3.5 to 4.0
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