Digital Hot Rods: book review

atanum141 20th February 2006, 10:51

looks like a cool book.

Bursar 20th February 2006, 11:43

I'm sure it is quite cool to look at, but my main problem with these books (and as one of the authors of PC Mods - Cool it, Light it, Morph it I think I'm qualified to say so) is that there's nothing generally in them that you can't find out for free on the Internet.

The sales figures for my PC Mods book seem to back it up. Yes, it's a nice looking book with some good photos, but few people buy it. When you have complete project logs on sites like this, you can find out everything you need for free.

Maybe this book will be different, but if it makes back more than the authors advance fee, I'll be surprised.

Muunsyr 20th February 2006, 11:49

Well I can't say that I would expect it to sell all that well, especially since this style of book does go out of date very quickly. However, I do very much like coffee table books, about subjects that I or guests I might have do not know much about. I only wish this book had more glossy photos and less 'this is how to do it'. Something interesting for my non-tech friends...

Marquee 20th February 2006, 12:38

About time we had a book like this. My work better be in it soon.

Fatboy 20th February 2006, 13:04

reveals the secrets of optiisation and benchmarking

Looks like a great book, i might have to purchase it.

Lord Kordir 20th February 2006, 13:29

Nice book, I'm sure it's re-read for most of us though.

NoahFuLing 20th February 2006, 14:17

Great-looking book, which I think is its purpose. You're a modder/enthusiast/anyone who knows what he's talking about with modding, and you want a cool book to replace those dusty tomes on your coffee table about "The Last 1000 Years" or "The Complete Works of Artist ~~~~~~~." I don't think there will be many who will get this book to learn modding, nor to see the projects. Those who know how to mod won't need the book, and those who don't probably will find this book through a tech site!

One question though-on the cover, they used a red filter over Orac3. Why???!!!
/me loves the green and chrome, because no matter how many times that color scheme is used in a mod, Orac3 is the original Pimp Daddy of Green and Chrome to me.

kiljoi 20th February 2006, 16:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoahFuLing
One question though-on the cover, they used a red filter over Orac3. Why???!!!

I totally agree. Seems like a decent book though, might pick this one up. Be interesting to read the tweaking parts. I'm just wondering if the extra publicity (if any) that this book will bring to the modding world will be a good thing. We all know there are quite a few of us that have gotten kind of irritated with all the pre-mods, and "OMGZ I bought an after-market side panel with a window, I'm a modder now!!!!!!1" attitude that seems to be a little more prevalent. Maybe that's just me though...

Joungne 20th February 2006, 16:05

OMG, I made it into a book :-) I knew Ben was working on this but didnt know it would be published so soon. I'd better call him to get my copy :-)

and I also agree on the red filter on Orac, I hope this was done with asking G gnome, I wouldnt be too happy about it when i saw this and not knowing they would do that.

greetz,
Joungne

Da Dego 20th February 2006, 16:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiljoi
I totally agree. Seems like a decent book though, might pick this one up. Be interesting to read the tweaking parts. I'm just wondering if the extra publicity (if any) that this book will bring to the modding world will be a good thing. We all know there are quite a few of us that have gotten kind of irritated with all the pre-mods, and "OMGZ I bought an after-market side panel with a window, I'm a modder now!!!!!!1" attitude that seems to be a little more prevalent. Maybe that's just me though...

But IS that such a bad thing? It brings more people into the fold of modding, while still leaving the greats at the top. If anything, all that stuff brings us more credibility while making the originals just that much more original. I mean, Orac used to be a standout amongst standouts. Now it's a standout amongst an entire industry. Same with HC2. To me, it creates a whole new audience...some will try to make another amazing creation, others will be satisfied with appreciating the work as art.

Kipman725 20th February 2006, 17:13

sounds like a good gift for my non modding freinds. I personaly only do practical mods as they all look visualy the dogs proverbial... but I like looking at others mods and hope one day not to have stupid hands :P

pjotero 20th February 2006, 19:12

I fear that the book will be outdated before its availabel everyware, so its probebly better to search for information on the internet

automagsrock 20th February 2006, 21:56

I hope a U.S book store such as Borders or Barnes & Noble picks this up. The shipping would cost more then the book if I ordered it from play.

_Robbie_ 21st February 2006, 17:08

My copy arrived today, and a very nice book it is too :)

Not had much of a chance to read it, with me being at work an all... will spend some proper time browsing through when I get home.

<A88> 21st February 2006, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by automagsrock
I hope a U.S book store such as Borders or Barnes & Noble picks this up. The shipping would cost more then the book if I ordered it from play.

Isn't play.com free delivery?

<A88>

Nexxo 21st February 2006, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoahFuLing
One question though-on the cover, they used a red filter over Orac3. Why???!!!
/me loves the green and chrome, because no matter how many times that color scheme is used in a mod, Orac3 is the original Pimp Daddy of Green and Chrome to me.

This possibly is because commercially, green is considered a bad colour for the cover of a book or record album. Don't ask...

Herbicide 21st February 2006, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by <A88>
Isn't play.com free delivery?

<A88>

Yup.

- H.

<A88> 21st February 2006, 18:37

Come to think of it, he's in the USA so he'd obviously have to pay shipping. My mistake :o

<A88>

automagsrock 21st February 2006, 20:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by <A88>
Isn't play.com free delivery?

<A88>

Yes, but I doubt they'll ship across the pond for free, that and when I was creating an account I didn't even see an option for the U.S.A. under the country list. Oh well, I'll have to start looking on eBay in a couple of weeks.

*sigh*

Stuey 22nd February 2006, 01:20

I want one too! But I don't want to have to wait until (if) it's available in the US. Maybe I'll win one! *crosses fingers, crosses toes*.

mindonner 22nd February 2006, 11:05

It's actually published in the US under a different name - Extreme PCs - though I think it's out a bit later there.

Stuey 22nd February 2006, 12:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by mindonner
It's actually published in the US under a different name - Extreme PCs - though I think it's out a bit later there.

Yup. Why didn't I think of that. I was searching for it by ISBN instead of by author. If anyone else is interested.

CyberSol 22nd February 2006, 16:37

Sounds like an awesome book. I might have to get my hands on one! It sounds like it gives us modders a really great face. I like the sound of that. ;)

automagsrock 23rd February 2006, 01:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuey83
Yup. Why didn't I think of that. I was searching for it by ISBN instead of by author. If anyone else is interested.

Hells yeah!! Just got mine ordered 5 minutes ago.

Stuey 23rd February 2006, 09:01

Whoops! I thought it wasn't released yet. My Amazon Prime trial expires in a week so I just placed the order as well. Be aware that if you don't plan on ordering anything else, Walmart.com and Buy.com have cheaper prices (if you have to pay for shipping anyways).