LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Thinking Robots: Build a Rubik's Cube Solver and a Tic-Tac-Toe Playing Robot! Paperback – December 25, 2009

This book is primarily focused on a tic-tac-toe opponent and a Rubik's cube solver. It has some great, detailed instructions on how to build both of these marvels, as well as the software that you also need to use (located on the author's website). In addition, it gives a beginner level introduction to NXC/BricxCC/NeXT Tools. The book doesn't go in depth on those topics, but it gives you enough that you're now interested in them and want to learn more! There are detailed instructions and pictures on how to build the Rubik's cube solver and the tic-tac-toe opponent for BOTH 1.0 and 2.0 NXT kits. I thought it was great that they took the time to include both versions of the kit in the instructions so that basically anyone with a kit can build them! Overall, I would say that this is a great gift idea for someone with an NXT kit who likes robots (or even as a gift to yourself!).

I had pre-ordered this book as soon as it was offered as I had bought one other book by Daniele. At the time of my pre-order, the description was short on detail and made no mention that the code to make the designs work required a Windows PC. As I'm a Mac user, I would have passed on this book if I had known that. The book is okay, but it will collect dust on my book shelf now since I can't run the necessary operating system to load the programs on to the NXT. Wish Daniele had not be so short-sighted in just supporting one platform. I have to also mention that the programs provided are NOT in NXT-G, but in NXC. So even if you have a PC and you're not ready to start learning another programming language besides the one that come with the Mindstorms, then this book might not be right for you either.

This book shows you how to build two Lego Mindstorms projects: One for solving Rubic's cube and the other for playing tic-tac-toe.The idea is great. The instructions are more or less clear. The problems start when things don't work out first time: The author doesn't provide any debugging information, and no interactive support (there is a discussion board on his site, but it's useless for debugging this build).So, if your build works well first time, it's great! If, as in our case, it doesn't, it's extremely frustrating.Therefore, I'd recommend this book to an adult who wishes to spend time on making this work, but definitely not for a teenager.

I thought that this book comes with source codes, but it only has executables. That means you would be able to run the programs, but never be able to modify it. I have really never seen any book that does not provide source codes. I'm quite shocked to see why would an author do that. Perhaps, he is trying to make money by selling another book with source codes?? I don't know! Swedish hacker or something that at [...] made nice tutorial with full source codes to solve Rubik Cubic and it was awsome and totally free. I just don't understand what is the point of publishing a book, with hidden agendas. So if you are intested in code, don't buy this book. Go to [...] and you will be much happier.

You get instructions for building on his web site but to run anything you have to BUY THE PROGRAM to download it. Some how the book does not mention this important fact.

Initially a little too complex for his age, but he is growing into it. The lego side of things makes it fun.

We are all used to LEGO robots that roll and crawl, but this book focuses on robots that perform complex tasks instead of following lines and avoiding obstacles. The two robots, a Rubik's Cube solver and a tic-tac-toe opponent, are well designed and the building instructions are clear and contain some great building techniques.One thing I like about the book is the novice level introduction to BricxCC/NXC and the NeXT tools. The book doesn't try to teach this language and there are other books available on these topics, but to use these robots you need a bit of understanding on how they work, how to save them, etc... a good jumping off point.Some of the reviews have critiqued the book for not supporting the Mac operating system. The author DOES support these and the book does provide what it can for Mac users... the reader is given a complete website for contacting the author with questions as well as to download the required programs.The building instructions for No Starch books continues to improve every time... these instructions are easy to follow and are not cluttered on the page. The author deserves a lot of credit for also providing building instructions for both robots using both retails kits - 1.0 and 2.0.My only concern (not complaint) about the book is a possibly limited audience - with only 2 robots in the book, I believe the book may only appeal to intermediate and advanced NXT users. Beginners are probably looking for more robots to build, more sample programs (especially in NXT-G), and more hand-holding. Fortunately there are other books that cater to the beginner... but I feel a warning should be given here that this book is not about teaching newcomers about building and programming.All in all, a good book to have on the shelf if you're an NXT fan.

Very good product

I just received this book after a long pre-ordered wait but it was so worth it!!What's great about this book beyond Daniele's ability to communicate his ideas is the fact that he provides models designed for either the Original NXT or the new repackaged NXT 2.0 so it doesn't matter which NXT set the book owner has he will be able to build stuff right away. Now i do not own a Rubik Cube but checking out the details of this robot sure is interesting. I can't wait to build his Tic Tac Toe machine and use it for my NXT demo next time i make a show or visit a school with my NXT'sThis is also a great way to start looking at other programming languages for the NXT, here Daniele walks us thru setting up NXC a version of C++ used by serious NXT fan. He does not discriminate and covers both Windows and Mac operating systems!Daniele Benedettelli also published another amazing book that i own and strongly recommend it's called Creating Cool NXT robots, again he uses C type programming. If you buy both together chances are you'll get free shipping!Play Well - Stay GoldMarc-A (bazmarc on youtube)

Bei den Robotermodellen handelt es sich um einen Tic-Tac-Toe-spielenden und um einen den magischen Würfel lösenden Roboter.Faszinierenderweise funktioniert dies wirklich erstaunlich gut.Ich habe die Modelle mit dem NXT 2.0 nachgebaut.Zunächst war ich etwas enttäuscht, da das Buch wenig Erklärungungen beinhaltet und schwerpunktmäßig aus sehr ausführlichen Bauanleitungen für NXT 1.0 und NXT 2.0 besteht.Allerdings sind die theoretischen Erklärungen dennoch interessant und helfen beim Nachvollziehen der Funktionsweisen der Modelle.Auf der Webseite des Autors sind zahlreiche Materialien und Informationen zu finden.Nur mit dem Buch wäre ich wohl nicht ao schnell zurecht gekommen.Bei Schwierigkeiten besteht auch die Möglichkeit den Autor zu kontaktieren.

Bought as a gift for someone, who thought it was brilliant. No complaints it kept him amused for a period of time.

due progetti per una pubblicazione come questa sono ridicoli. Peccato perchè sono interessanti e ben scritti (anche se si mastica non troppo bene l'inglese, sono comprensibili). L'autore ha diversi progetti sul suo sito, non sarebbe stata una brutta cosa metterne altri sul libro, magari anche quelli che sul sito possono essere scaricati gratuitamente.