Car PC hacks vs. Geek my Ride

Sir Posts A Lot · 10-23-2005, 10:41 PM

Which book do you guys like better? I have Geek my Ride, and I have found it very useful, and I am thinking of getting Car PC hacks, because it looks like it goes more in depth.

RoyN · 10-23-2005, 10:48 PM

I dont have either... I'm not sre the differences between them (you seem to hve researched a bit about both)... if you already have one I'd think twice before getting the other.... there is so much info on here that the books themselves are probably more redundant than not...

also, the stuff we have here (software, hardware, hacks) are chanign so quickly that in a month or 2 a lot of new things will be here that wont be in the books (maybe this is already the case)....

just my opinion....

arebelspy · 10-23-2005, 10:50 PM

Why do you need either? This forum has ansrs to everything you'd ever need..

-arebelspy

StrataG · 10-23-2005, 10:53 PM

I do believe that he is just trying to live up to his name. Maybe Scouse has some competition? It will be funny to see just how far he stretches in his attempts.

SFiorito · 10-23-2005, 10:55 PM

Car PC Hacks is much better...

DarquePervert · 10-24-2005, 06:40 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by SFiorito

Car PC Hacks is much better...

I agree that Car PC Hacks is the better book, but my opinion is more valid, since I'm not influenced by paychecks from O'Reilly!

gnomad · 10-24-2005, 01:25 PM

I've read both and I can't say one is any better than the other, but they are very much different.

For starters, I'm not terribly fond of any of the books in the O'Reilly "Hacks" series. These books are in many cases nothing more than a collection of what you'll find using google and the web. The only advantage is that they are all in one place and you can read them off-line. They lack the linear presentation and background of most printed books. There is some background info in CarPC Hacks but it is shoe-horned into the "Hacks" framework of the book, and just doesn't work very well.

Geek Your Ride is much more of a typical book; in that it provides the background theory and then describes how to apply that theory in practice.

However, there is nothing in either of these books that you won't find in the mp3car forums, IF you are willing to look for it.

My suggestion is that if you don't know a lot about electronics, building PCs, or installing car stereos, just go ahead and buy BOTH of them. Read Geek Your Ride first, and then read CarPC Hacks second. You'll easily wind up saving more in the end from purchasing the wrong stuff, stuff you don't need, or frying stuff.

-p.

IntellaWorks · 10-24-2005, 01:45 PM

I've been into car pc's for quite sometime yet I'm still interested in any material's referancing my beloved hobby. I'm wondering for those of you who have either of these books whats in these books? Is it basically a guide on how to install a pc into a car? Is it basically a newbie's guide to starting a carpc? Or does it go in depth in other subjects? That aren't directly related to carpc's but could be used in car pc's? (Controlling windows, lights and other devices in the car by the computer) ???

I guess what I'm asking is most of it describing startup controllers, small form factor system boards, touch screen lcds, and bezel fabrication. ?

gnomad · 10-24-2005, 02:28 PM

If you are a regular forum reader, you aren't missing anything by skipping either of these books.

-p.

IntellaWorks · 10-24-2005, 02:32 PM

Thanks, I wish they had the book at a local store for me just to browse... fat chance of that ever happening though,.,

ccsnet · 10-24-2005, 03:57 PM

Carpc Hacks.... but I'm bias cos I wrote some of it

Terran

PS Its a good book.... I have a copy here....

Bugbyte · 10-24-2005, 05:56 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by IntellaWorks

Thanks, I wish they had the book at a local store for me just to browse... fat chance of that ever happening though,.,

I think you can look inside the book at Amazon.

ex0tica · 10-26-2005, 05:28 AM

Car PC Hacks is

Sir Posts A Lot · 10-26-2005, 05:33 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by gnomad

If you are a regular forum reader, you aren't missing anything by skipping either of these books.

-p.

The reason why I want to get car pc hacks is because I want to have a general knowledge of car pcs, before I start posting obvious questions. I found Car pc hacks for $15 at abebooks.com, so ill probably order it.