Search results for ""Author Barbara Fritchman Thompson""

Want to build a PC that perfectly meets your needs? This up-to-date guide has precisely what you need to know. You A'll learn about PC fundamentals, how to plan your project using the latest components, where and how to buy the parts you need, and how to assemble everything with step-by-step instructions and clear, easy-to-follow images. You also get an insightful discussion on why you A'd want to build your own PC in the first place. Unlike big-brand computers that use lower-quality components so they can meet aggressive pricing targets, the PCs you A'll learn to build in this popular book call for high-quality parts that you can purchase directly or obtain through distributors and resellers. The latest edition includes these PC options: * Budget System -- build an inexpensive system that focuses on quality and reliability * Mainstream System -- roll your own fast, flexible, quiet general-purpose system * Extreme System -- build a wicked fast system optimized for video editing/production, Photoshop, gaming, or pure number-crunching * Media Center System -- centralize your music, DVDs, and home video with your HDTV as the display, and share your content with any PC in your home * Appliance System -- put together a tiny, quiet, inexpensive PC that you can tuck away anywhere * Home Server -- build your own secure repository to centralize data storage and sharing for every system in your home

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With the advent of inexpensive, high-power telescopes priced at under $250, amateur astronomy is now within the reach of anyone, and this is the ideal book to get you started. "The Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders" offers you a guide to the equipment you need, and shows you how and where to find hundreds of spectacular objects in the deep sky - double and multiple stars as well as spectacular star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies. You get a solid grounding in the fundamental concepts and terminology of astronomy, and specific advice about choosing, buying, using, and maintaining the equipment required for observing."The Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders" is designed to be used in the field under the special red-colored lighting used by astronomers, and includes recommended observing targets for beginners and intermediate observers alike. You get detailed start charts and specific information about the best celestial objects. The objects in this book were chosen to help you meet the requirements for several lists of objects compiled by The Astronomical League or the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada: Messier Club; Binocular Messier Club; Urban Observing Club; Deep Sky Binocular Club; Double Star Club; and, RASC Finest NGC List.Completing the list for a particular observing club entitles anyone who is a member of the Astronomical League or RASC to an award, which includes a certificate and, in some cases, a lapel pin. This book is perfect for amateur astronomers, students, teachers, or anyone who is ready to dive into this rewarding hobby. Who knows? You might even find a new object, like amateur astronomer Jay McNeil. On a clear cold night in January 2004, he spotted a previously undiscovered celestial object near Orion, now called McNeil's Nebula. Discover what awaits you in the night sky with "The Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders."

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If you're taking a basic course in classical physics, or have a healthy curiosity for the way things work in the physical world, the Illustrated Guide to Home Physics Experiments provides an ideal hands-on introduction to physics lab techniques and data analysis. With this book and a few simple (and inexpensive) tools and materials, you'll learn to conduct experiments that answer questions about our world, make demonstrations to show off physical principles, and do theoretical lab work to discover how the world works. Perfect for do-it-yourselfers, home-schooled high school students, and college students, this book will help you: Learn everything from the basics of motion all the way to particle physics - including energy, thermodynamics, magnetic fields, optics, and much more Take careful measurements of physical phenomena and conduct data analysis Build and perform physics demonstrations that are fascinating and fun Construct computer models to represent aspects of the physical world It's easy to get started. You can build most of the experiments and demonstrations in this book with ordinary household tools, using materials that you can scrounge, borrow, or get free. The most important thing is your willingness to enter the door of discovery that awaits you. The Illustrated Guide to Home Physics Experiments is your key.

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The provides independent, useful and practical information in a no-nonsense manner with specific recommendations on components. Based on real-world testing over time, it will help you make intelligent, informed decisions about buying, building, upgrading, and repairing PCs in a cost effective manner that will help you maximize new or existing computer hardware systems. It's loaded with real-world advice presented in a concise style that clearly delivers just the information you want, without your having to hunt for it.

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