Optical System Design

Book Description

This classic resource provides a clear, well-illustrated introduction to the essentials of optical design-from basic principles to cutting-edge design methods.

Customer Reviews:

Summary of intros.......2007-05-09

Well, a book serves as a summary of optical systems intro.
Formulas pop up without derivations, some chapters are just a few pages long. Published 7 years ago, some pictures are hard to see the details or even the sketch..

Optical System Design.......2006-03-09

This is the exact book i needed. It is an excellent summary of optical principles, and their utilization in optical systems. The design examples are great for illustrating the underlying principles. The level is great for professionals (as a review), or for anyone wanting to learn the principles of optics design. I highly recommend this book, there are lots of references for deeper study. This would be an excellent textbook for a class in optical design.

Practical words of wisdom for optics.......2000-09-28

Fischer gives me good advice that I can look up in a book. For example, I found answers about diffraction efficiency in diffractive optics, and a lens design case study about digital camera lenses. I also enjoyed the bloopers section. This information will help me do my job.

The Audiophile's Project Sourcebook: 80 High-Performance Audio Electronics Projects

Average customer rating:

Meh-
Tubes rule. Slone drools.
Twaddle, stuff, and nonsense
Amplifiers and More
Mid-fi with little explanation

The Audiophile's Project Sourcebook: 80 High-Performance Audio Electronics Projects
G. Randy Slone
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill/TAB Electronics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0071379290

Book Description

THE AUDIOPHILE'S PROJECT SOURCEBOOK

Build audio projects that produce great sound for far less than they cost in the store, with audio hobbyists' favorite writer Randy Slone. In The Audiophile's Project Sourcebook, Slone gives you--

* Clear, illustrated schematics and instructions for high-quality, high-power electronic audio components that you can build at home

* Carefully constructed designs for virtually all standard high-end audio projects, backed by an author who answers his email

* 8 power-amp designs that suit virtually any need

* Instructions for making your own inexpensive testing equipment

* Comprehensible explanations of the electronics at work in the projects you want to construct, spiced with humor and insight into the electronics hobbyist's process

* Complete parts lists

"The Audiophile's Project Sourcebook" is devoid of the hype, superstition, myths, and expensive fanaticism often associated with 'high-end' audio systems. It provides straightforward help in building and understanding top quality audio electronic projects that are based on solid science and produce fantastic sound!

THE PROJECTS YOU WANT, FOR LESS

Balanced input driver/receiver circuits

Signal conditioning techniques

Voltage amplifiers

Preamps for home and stage

Tone controls

Passive and active filters

Parametric filters

Graphic equalizers

Bi-amping and tri-amping filters

Headphone amplifiers

Power amplifiers

Speaker protection systems

Clip detection circuits

Power supplies

Delay circuits

Level indicators

Homemade test equipment

Customer Reviews:

Meh-.......2006-06-15

I've seen better high end audio books. I'm certainly not a member of the aforementioned "Scientific School of Audio System Performance Analysis", the only instruments that can accurately measure sound quality are the ones on either side of your head. I listen to what my ears tell me sounds good, and generally, tubes sound good. Which is why this book is sort of a disappointment, you'd think that out of 80 projects there'd be at least one tube phono preamp, but unfortunately there are no tube amps, just a few rants about how tubes don't produce enough power. Who uses more than a watt anyway? Even the transistor amps presented aren't much better than what you could get from Rex or Circuit City, similar schematics could probably be found on the internet for free. Go ahead and buy it if that's the sort of thing you're into, but if its tubes you want, try Morgan Jones' "Building Valve Amplifiers", it doesn't have many schematics but it covers in great detail the layout and contruction of tube amps. Good schematics can be found on the intarnub.

Tubes rule. Slone drools........2004-12-20

A good deal of this book is an attack on esoteric audio in general and vacuum tube equipment in particular. But just because Mr. Slone hates tubes (and he does, although he can't be honest with himself, like most fundies, and so has to attempt to disguise his real motives) doesn't change reality. Measurements aside, all other things being equal, tube equipment generally sounds better.

If you listen to good music at normal volume, in a normal house, the average power output of your amplifier is almost always between 10 and 500 milliwatts. You can prove this with a DMM that has at least a 20 kHz AC bandwidth and peak and averaging functions hooked across your speaker. The Class B Lin topology solid state amplifier with large amounts of global NFB, which Slone describes and advocates to the exclusion of all others, does very well at between 5 and 100 percent of its rated power, but is terrible at between .01 and 1 to 2 percent of rated power.

There are various circuits to work around the problem, but Slone ignores them. When you refuse to accept the problem, you can't be part of the solution.

There are several possible solutions. One is the venerable transformer coupled vacuum tube amplifier, which for all its technical flaws, does reproduce music beautifully. There are modern tube amps that are universally acknowledged to sound great, have long tube life (in the tens of thousands of hours) and have distortion measurements in the same class as most solid state amplifiers. There are also solid state amplifiers that use innovative circuits and careful device matching-semiconductors are inherently much more variable in device parameters than tubes, which Slone conveniently forgets to tell you-to "give good first watt" while still providing peak power reserves traditionally associated with solid state designs.

I have heard an amplifier built to Slone's schematic on Slone's PCBs-in fact I set it up on my company's distortion analyzer after hours-and it meets his published specs fully. Hooked to my Klipsch LaScalas it has all the sonic elegance of a Peavey CS-400 I happened to have on hand-it makes Blossom Dearie sound suspiciously like Louis Armstrong on her quietest passages, and Angel Romero sounds like Dick Dale is doubling up on his thumb lines in the distance.

Twaddle, stuff, and nonsense.......2004-11-30

Basically this whole book is the effort of a hayseed electronics vendor to peddle his own kits of plain vanilla grade stereo equipment. With skilled electronic assemblers in America getting $8.30/hr (and equally skilled Asians getting that per day!) and components in hobby quantities bringing a 50 to 500 percent premium over what commercial buyers pay even in 100 piece quantities, he claims a hobbyist can better commercial grade designs in his hobby workshop cheaper.

This reminds me of Fred Willard's character in the excellent film, "A Mighty Wind". One of his catchphrases-"I Don't Think So!"-applies here.

These amp designs, apparently mostly from Douglas Self's books, are nothing special or unique: as someone else pointed out, if they were, there would be dozens of amplifiers of "Slone type" sold ,just as many companies made "Williamson style" amplifiers, without compensating DTN Williamson, during the early postwar hi-fi era.

About the only justification for homebrewing audio amps is to get a design offered commercially only as a "high end" piece at huge expense (and gross margin) or not at all. You can get an education, perhaps, but a breadboard project of a couple watts can give you that, and besides, audio amp design isn't exactly in big demand: the websites of High End, pro, and mainstream audio equipment manufacturers list continuing job vacancies for DSP software engineers but never analog designers.

Amplifiers and More.......2004-11-18

I bought this book after my great experience with Slone's High Power Audio Amplifier Construction Manual. This is a fantastic book if you want to build your own amplifier "accessories", such as headphone amps, preamps, equalizers, and other types of signal processing devices. There is an interesting circuit for a phase-linear filter, which I built and works beautifully. It splits the audio signal up between the pre-amp and power amp into low, midrange, and high frequency spectrums. This avoids the phase shifts associated with conventional speaker crossover networks.
You'll need a power amp for each frequency spectrum, but that's no problem. You'll have so much fun building your own amps that you'll have plenty of them laying around. The resulting sound is absolutely fantastic.

Mid-fi with little explanation.......2004-11-17

This is an extension of Slone's earlier book and it is a little better, but not a lot. He reiterates everything he said earlier-ranging from opinion to nonsense-and then as before launches into his pet designs with little good explanation.

If you want to build a Class B semi-serious amplifier for instrument or PA or non-serious-listening use this will probably work, although there are a lot of old 70s and 80s designs readily available at your local library in old electronics and audio magazines.

If understanding the trends in serious audio work today is your goal, start with the "horses mouth" JAES paper "Tubes vs. Transistors: Is There A Difference?". This was hugely important because it was the first published paper in professional reviewed circles that addressed the possibility that traditional metrics such as THD,frequency range, and S/N might not fully address problems in professional audio.

A Twist of the Wrist 2: The Basics of High-Performance Motorcycle Riding

Average customer rating:

Best Book on Practicle Riding Technique
Holy Keith !!
more of the same
useful but insulting
Understand how to ride your bike, and why the how!

A Twist of the Wrist 2: The Basics of High-Performance Motorcycle Riding
Keith Code
Manufacturer: Code Break
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Motor Sports | Miscellaneous | Sports | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0965045021

Book Description

Straight facts about riding! A Twist of the Wrist, the acknowledged number one book on rider improvement for ten years straight, brought riders worldwide to a new understanding of vital riding skills. Uncovers and traces, action by action, the direct links between man and machine.

Customer Reviews:

Best Book on Practicle Riding Technique.......2007-09-25

I've read a lot of books on riding over the past several years with the goals of improving my technique and having an overall more enjoyable and safer ride. By far the beset book I've read to date is Keith Code's Twist of the Wrist 2. This book is a very complete analysis of the physics of riding presented in a very understandable format that includes pictures and tips. Understanding the dynamics of traction and how those dynamics change during cornering, braking, and acceleration has really improved my riding and my confidence. While this book is targeted at sport bike riders the information applies to all including Harley-Davidson riders. I highly recommend Twist of the Wrist 2. Note, the first book in the series is also very good but not necessary if you buy the second.

Holy Keith !!.......2007-09-01

If you want to know what the hell you are doing on a motorcycle and how to improve you skills, control and speed... Get anything by Keith! This is as his other books are; interesting informative and enlightening. Enormously helpful.

more of the same.......2007-08-21

if you liked the first one, you will probably like this one too. I don't think it added a ton, but was still helpful, particularly in where you should "spend" your focus while riding.

useful but insulting.......2007-06-16

Some info in here is good, but Code really needs to give his readers a bit more credit. I don't need Keith Code to tell me what "available," "constantly," or "hunting" means, all words helpfully defined. I also have a pretty good idea what an "exit" is, thanks. Save yourself some dough and get "Total Control" or "Sport Riding Techniques" both excellent for sport riders.

Understand how to ride your bike, and why the how!.......2007-06-13

A fantastic book that truly unravels the art of riding a sportsbike. It explains in simple terms what happens when you do certain things (eg throttle off), why you should not, what to do to counteract the natural reactions and why this works.

The ability to explain the mechanical laws being applied in such a way that you can understand what happens, and how to use it to your advantage enables you to calmly apply the principles and techniques.

Quite simply the best instructional book I have read.

Average customer rating:

Good stuff!
Ancient coverage
Good book about the internals of SQL
Good book for tuning complex SQL
This is a most excellent text

Oracle High-Performance SQL Tuning
Donald K. Burleson
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0072190582

Book Description

From the official Oracle Press comes a comprehensive guide to tuning SQL statements for optimal execution. This expert resource explains how to view the internal execution plan of any SQL statement and change it to improve the performance of the statement. You'll get details on Oracle's optimizer modes, SQL extensions, the STATSPACK utility, and a wealth of methods for tuning Oracle SQL statements.

Customer Reviews:

Good stuff!.......2007-08-09

Still working my way through it, but have already gleaned several insights from it. This gives me information I had not yet found in Oracle manuals. (I'm an application developer, trying to work productively with database administrators and system administrators.)

Ancient coverage.......2006-02-07

I'm sure that this was a great book in it's day, but it is 5 years old and useful only for firewood. The rule optimizer is not even there anymore. [...]

Good book about the internals of SQL.......2002-11-27

It is a good book for those interested in the internals of sql. The knowledge of the author about the matter is excellent, and his writing style is clear, simple, and funny.

Good book for tuning complex SQL.......2001-11-27

I have a very complex system with lots of subqueries, and I was unable to find good tuning information until I tried the techniques in this book.

The book is simple to understand and explains the internals of complex Oracle SQL operations.

I have been very heppy with the results from my tuning, and I am thankful to find this textbook.

This is a most excellent text.......2001-09-30

I bought a copy of this book in hopes of tuning the SQL in my Oracle8i database and I was not disappointed. When using the techniques in the book, I was able to quickly identify and tune the most resource intensive SQL statements in my system. The book is clear and easy to understand.

Average customer rating:

Small Book -- Good Content
An Excellent Performance Measurement Primer
Good Introduction to Performance Management
Weak Content
The Basics of Performance Measurement

The Basics of Performance Measurement

Manufacturer: Quality Resources.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0527763284

Book Description

This handy guide is the perfect introduction to the core aspects of performance measurement. With clear descriptions of the various types of performance measurements, you'll be able to connect the right type of measurement to the right output-whether the purpose is to diagnose a problem or to indicate performance towards a goal.

The book contains brief examples of all the types of performance measures. It also explains how to create effective performance measures. The Basics of Performance Measurement gives you a five-step method for developing a performance measurement system that includes selecting performance measurement families and hierarchies tailored to different levels within the organization.

A special feature of this book is a section on performance measurement displays to encourage the active use of measurements.

Customer Reviews:

Small Book -- Good Content.......2007-05-29

I was disappointed when I saw the book. It's much smaller and thinner than I expected. The content is good, but it's not extensive. It's easy to read and a good reference book, but it wasn't what I was looking for.

An Excellent Performance Measurement Primer.......2006-09-15

In this quick and easy to read booklet, Jerry L. Harbour manages to provide sufficient information to get you started in the development of a performance measurement system. Of particular interest is the notion of measurement hierarchies which ensures that higher ups can keep a tab on the business without getting swamped in detail.

Good Introduction to Performance Management.......2006-08-06

"The Basics of Performance Measurement" is a scholarly book that explains and presents in a readable and easily understandable manner the basic concepts that underpin performance measurement. The author methodically explains and describes the various types of performance measurement.

The author reinforces his explanations with clear examples about various types of performance measures. The book helped me to create performance measures for my department which make performance appraisals of subordinates easy and fair.

The reader will learn the five-step method of developing a balanced performance measurement system. Even those with no prior background to performance measurement systems will find it easy to follow and come up with performance measures for their departments or sections.

Weak Content.......2003-08-06

Unlike other reviews, I am disappointed with this book which I bought based on the hype of other reviewers! ... And the writing style is cheesy, spouting-off some loosely defined quality terms in attempt to add some technical merit to subject matter. Having read the book (forced myself to stay the course), I can honestly say I took-away nothing of value.

Skip the book. ...

The Basics of Performance Measurement.......2001-05-09

This book serves as the perfect introduction to the core aspects of performance measurement. In clear and in simple english it describes various types of performance measurements providing you the ground floor understanding of how get from point A to point B. The book contains examples of many types of performance measurements and charts. It also explains how to create effective performance measures. The five-step method for developing a performance measurement system is very helpful as a starting point for organizations implementing new beginnings.

Average customer rating:

So brilliant that I cried--twice!
Basic HPLC and CE of Biomolecules

Basic HPLC and CE of Biomolecules
Robert L. Cunico , Karen M. Gooding , and Tim Wehr
Manufacturer: Bay Bioanalytical Laboratory, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0966322908

Book Description

This text provides explanations and examples of the primary chromatographic techniques for biomolecules (reversed-phase, size exclusion, ion-exchange, hydrophobic interaction and affinity). It also offers practical suggestions for their implementation and optimization. An extensive bibliography furnishes a wealth of background information.

Customer Reviews:

So brilliant that I cried--twice!.......2003-04-25

This is without a doubt the most brilliant and poignant depiction of HPLC and CE of biomolecules in modern history. My extreme hyperactivity disorder usually means that I'm not able to sit still for such weighty topics--not without large amounts of abused Ritalin; but Cunico's work was so compelling and finely wrought that I found myself spellbound, even when drunk, even when driving in the backseat of a stolen car across the Mexican border at Tecate. I am not going to recommend drinking heavily and stealing cars. But I do recommend BASIC HPLC and CE OF BIOMOLECULES by Robert L. Cunico. By the way, I am extremely drunk right now.

Basic HPLC and CE of Biomolecules.......2000-12-24

This is a book that should be on the desk of anyone who is involved in analytical development of biomolecules and biopharmaceuticals. The content is well organized and written in a format that is easy to grasp and understand. The content covers almost all the different modalities of HPLC analyses and applications and provides real life examples of the techniques. It includes innumerable suggestions on how best to develop a validatable HPLC method and analyze the data appropriately.

Book Description

Human Performance Improvement (HPI) is a growing area of expertise among workplace learning professionals. This book provides a basic guide for those with little or no background in HPI and presents only the information you need to know to be successful and gain a foothold in this important discipline. You will find practical examples, checklists, and other tools to aid in understanding as you move along the path to becoming a valued HPI practitioner in your organization.

Customer Reviews:

Simple and easy to understand .......2007-04-11

This is a perfect basic resource for anyone just entering the performance consulting field.

Mandatory Reading fore any training looking for results........2005-10-16

This book is an essential read for the experienced trainers that have struggled with bosses who believe that training solves all problems. Mr. Wilmore provides a clear explanation of how Human Performance Improvement can help organizations move from talking about problems to solving them. The book thoroughly explains how we move from being training departments to performance departments.

Steam Surface Condensers: Basic Principles, Performance Monitoring, and Maintenance

Average customer rating:

Steam Surface Condensers: Basic Principles, Performance Monitoring, and Maintenance
Richard E. Putnam
Manufacturer: American Society of Mechanical Engineers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0791801519

Book Description

This volume is a comprehensive presentation of analytical theory and real-world practical solutions. It clearly illustrates updated approaches that plant managers and performance engineers can use in judging condenser performance and in making maintenance decisions. The author examines current methods for modeling, diagnosing and improving condenser performance. He describes how to calculate heat transfer coefficients, provides details of the new ASME Power Test Code PTC 12.2-1998, and explains the significance of heat transfer coefficients in measuring the overall performance of an operating condenser. Further discussion includes condenser cleaning schedules that save money and reduce CO2 emissions, diagnostic methods that help unit operators pinpoint problem areas, monitoring techniques that help predict the onset of tube fouling and deposit accumulation, and proper methods of tube plugging. New topic areas are also explored: assigning a dollar amount and excess carbon emissions to condenser fouling; methods for estimating cooling water flow rate, and performance analysis for multicompartment condensers.

Basic Lighting Worktext for Film and Video

Average customer rating:

Basic Lighting Worktext for Film and Video
Richard Ferncase
Manufacturer: Focal Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0240800850

Book Description

Basic Lighting Worktext for Film and Video guides the film and video student through a series of readings, exercises and projects designed to provide the fundamentals of light science. In addition to up-to-date descriptions of equipment and tips on how to use it properly, the book provides numerous set-ups that illustrate the techniques and thoughts behind proper studio and location lighting.

From this book, you will learn:
* The fundamentals of light and electricity in film
* The fine distinction of lighting for video versus lighting for film
* How to identify and filter sources such as daylight, tungsten, fluorescent, arc, HNI and industrial discharge lamps
* The use of lensed and open-faced lighting fixtures
* How to modify with barndoors, scrims, snoots, nets, cookies, and other accessories
* Variations on the basic three-point lighting setup
* The duties of each member of a lighting unit
* How to light night exteriors, day interiors, and campfires
* High-key, low-key, and modulated value lighting
* How to scout locations, plan lighting, plots, and pre-rig sets

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