Foreword

Your personal computer is a powerful machine. It can calculate faster than any clerk, print documents faster than any typist, and play chess with the masters. Your software library is probably full of such applications, along with games, utilities, and educational software.
     But a computer can do a lot more than run software. It can be a sophisticated controller which turns lights on and off, monitors your home's windows and doors, and makes robot limbs move. To accomplish these tasks, however, you need sensors, motor circuits, and other electronic devices. That's why you need Electronic Computer Projects.
     This book is a step-by-step guide to building a variety of electronic devices, from the simple to the sophisticated. With complete and concise instructions anyone can follow, and accompanied by detailed photographs and figures, Electronic Computer Projects is the book with which you can teach your Commodore or Atari personal computer valuable new tricks.
     Parts lists outline what you need, the instructions show you how to do everything from heating the soldering iron to plugging in the last component, and programs test and adjust each project.
     Learn how to build your own joysticks, game paddles, and light pens. See how to put together two kinds of light sensors, even how to create a burglar alarm with an infrared sensor that "sees" in the dark. Logic probes, which let you "look" into digital circuits, multiplexers and demultiplexers, even robotic motor control circuits are all part of this book's intriguing and educational projects. Each project has been built and tested-you won't find any surprises when you connect a device to your computer.
     Electronic Computer Projects is a thorough guide to your adventure into computer control of the outside world.

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