Tools Books

This is a very useful book to help focus on how to develop high performance designs. It is a little dated on the technologies covered but gets the job done. One thing to remember is that microprocessor development methods usually will become ASIC development methods after a number of years and related EDA tool development.

Whether trying to maximize the speed of a standard cell ASIC processor design or minimize the design time of a full custom processor this book describes, in detail, the considerations involved. The authors draw on real-world designs and extensively review several in particular. The book describes the impact on resulting processor performance of pipeline depth, clock tree design, register and latch choice, setup and clock-to-q times, slack passing, dynamic logic, logic design style, richness of standard cell library, wire and transistor sizing, floorplanning and other layout concerns, and the exploitation of process variation.

This book focuses strictly on processor circuit design and does not discuss software design, instruction set architecture, or die size and power issues.

This handbook by Smid on the subject of CNC programming tackles the subject from a different angle than his bestselling "CNC Programming Handbook". That book is a more basic one aimed at beginners. This book is more advanced and contains several programming subjects that are very difficult to find either in other books or on the web. Even where there is overlap with the author's "CNC Programming Guide", this book provides much more depth of coverage on various subjects than that book does. As is standard with this author, this book includes many clear detailed drawings that greatly assist in visualizing the procedures covered. Whenever applicable, a complete programming example is provided. Equations and all tools used in each example are boxed and clearly labeled. As always, this author's instructions and explanations are clear and detailed. I show the table of contents next as the best way of explaining the book's contents:
1. Part Program Development
2. Calculating Contour Points
3. Formulas for Contouring
4. Using Cutter Radius Offset
5. Part Reversal in Milling
6. Using Tapered End Mills
7. Special Purpose G-COdes
8. Tool Length Offset Change
9. Block Skip Applications
10. Standard and Rigid Tapping
11. Polar Coordinates
12. Subprogram Development
13. Turning and Boring in Depth
14. Programming Tapers
15. Techniques for Grooving
16. Techniques for Threading
17. Restrictions in Threading
18. Practical Thread Milling
19. Knurling on CNC Lathes
20. Four-Axis Lthes
21. Pallet Changers
22. Working With Planes
23. Programming CAMs
24. Introduction to Macros
25. Did You Know That?
26. References and Resources

Technical readers who are familiar with the CNC Programming Handbook by Peter Smid will, without doubt, also react favourably to this book. The format is similar and there are hundreds of excellent illustrations and programming examples. While the previous book dealt mainly with theory and concepts, this work moves on to real life applications of these concepts. Examples include the use of tapered endmills in programming, multiaxis lathes, custom cycles, knurling, and other tips and tricks.

This book is so much more than a list of coaching questions that it is truly a professional coach's handbook. The questions are organized by coaching opportunities, issues, and barriers so they end up being extremely helpful. But also included are such coaching aides as a client profile form, session prep form, coaching models, etc. Finally, there is a special helpful section for special coaching niches. I'm keeping the book handy whenever I plan or execute a coaching appointment.

Coaching Questions is a great resource for coaches or any individual who would like to improve their communication skills. Not only is the information practical but it is easy to find just the right question because of the way the book is laid out.

The book is laid out into six sections. The sections give question examples, coaching models and exercises. At the start of each section of questions Tony has added a sidebar that gives you the application for those questions. There are also sidebars with hints and tips throughout the book that are helpful. But the questions themselves are questions that I will use again and again.

Tony is perhaps one of the most practical authors that I have found. There's no fluff here, just good practical information. I highly recommend this resource!

As they explain, Allen and Jarman identify and then explain "the basis for conviction by believers in the process of collaborative development in manufacturing R&D that we are adding value to a system that will help to sustain and ensure the stability and progression of the economic engines that provide the foundation for improving society." Note the correlation the authors draw between increased manufacturing productivity and social benefit. They organize their material within five Parts: Collaboration, Ingredients of Collaboration, Starting a Collaborative program, Tools for Collaboration, Making Collaboration Work, and Tomorrow's Business Culture -- Collaboration. They then provide ten appendices which range from "Printed Wiring Board (PWB) program" to "Examples of Mr. Allen's Networks with Major End Users."

Here in a single source is about all that most decision-makers need to know when designing and then implementing a program by which to establish and then sustain collaboration with participation, as wide and deep as possible, by everyone directly and even indirectly associated with a given organization. Allen and Jarman also suggest metrics by which to evaluate the progress of such collaboration. Time and again, we are reminded that "you can't manage what you can't measure." I agree. But first there must be a cohesive, comprehensive, and cost-effective program, one which is appropriate to the specific needs and objectives of the organization for which it has been formulated.

With regard to the future of collaboration, Allen and Jarman explain that their objective has been to "expand the amount of collaborative opportunity to people at all levels worldwide, to give them an easy means to learn, to escape the shackles of their culture, their nationalism, prejudice, and interface with the world as members of the human race." In that event, they will have "a positive appreciation for the culture and nation they belong to, yet foster better understanding as to how the world is integrated into one vast socioeconomic-political system." Only then can they "better understand their role in the world and how they can play a constructive part in ensuring that the future is better for their families." Whatever a given organization may manufacture, it also has the opportunity to create with all other organizations what the authors view as an infrastructure of spiritual values by which to nourish all of humanity.

This book was very difficult to put down, the information provided was without a doubt both stimulating and informative. Will enhance my career in R & D significantly. I will recommend this book to my colleagues and associates.

The collaborative Work System Fieldbook is one of the best reference books about teams, leadership, coaching, and a wide variety of collaboration topics that I have found. Working in the consulting industry for over 12 years you see a lot of books about similar topics but they are not well researched or well written - this book is both!

Over the years the Center for the Study of Work Teams has published a number of books describing the theory and practice of team dynamics. The latest edition of the Collaborative Work Systems Fieldbook simply sets the standard at a higher level. This book provides readers with a wealth of practical, team-oriented perspectives and applications for improving individual, team and organizational performance. If you are on a team, thinking about starting a team, leading a team or interested in creating a high performance culture, this book is for you.

Jerry and Elaine Heuring's E.C. Simmons Keen Kutter provides an excellent guide to identification and values of this brand's cutlery and tools, with color photos aiding in the process. This manufacturer produced a range of pocket knives, hand tools, catalogs and squares: all are surveyed and given current values here.

This volume (copyright, 2000) contains 192 pages and more than 750 full color, large, sharp photos. You'll find information about thousands of Keen Kutter items here. The book discusses Keen Kutter history, tradmarks and motto, reproductions, fakes and clubs. Price ranges are provided for each item. Major topics cover Advertising, Calendars, Catalogs, and Kitchen, Paper Goods, Saws, to Tool Boxes, Wrenches and Yard and Garden. A must have volume for collectors of this popular collectible.

The book has alot of information. I own one of the old Machetes and it was quite interesting to read about it. I would highly recommend this bood to anyone owning a Collins Machete.

Since I appear many times in the text of this book as an observor, as a facilitator, and as a source, it may be considered presumptuous for me to review it. But since I am competent to do so, here goes. Ed and I knew each other from 1971 when we first met. Since I am in MD and he was in CA our face time was limited but we kept in close touch by snail mail and phone. He made many trips to the source at Collinsville and I dug a large amount of materials out of the National Archives, Smithsonian, and the Library of Congress. Since Ed focused strictly on Collins products and only on the sub lines of machetes and I am interested in all military edged tools and cutlery as well as axe work in general, we overlapped our interests. Is this the book I have written or would have? Certainly not, but I know for certain that it is all in focus and, unless there is a new vast discovery of documents, if there is anything more to be known about Collins machetes you can put in a very small pot. By focusing as he did Ed was able to find things that I never did nor even thought to look for. The ultimate test of this kind of book is is it interesting, and is it useful? I think it is so, and I wll be able to chop out all the corporate history which was in my original work and refer the reader to this one. Carter Rila

This is an excellent book for both those interested in how those in law enforcement deal with informants & those in law enforcement who have to deal with informants. I found his admonition to control the informant especially important. Most CIs know how to work the system & if not careful they'll work you too. Should be required reading for anyone in law enforcement.

This book was well written, and detatiled. The lessions were followed buy examples that illistrated the key points. I am now prepareing to go into narcotic's, and the authur has vast knowledge in the subjct of narcotic's. This was an execllent begining to the use of informants. The authur has clearly set up the paramitors for the selection, preparation, and use of informants. The cases that are talked about in the book are from taken from current and historical cases, both narcotics and other crimes. I found this book very interesting. I have loaned it out to a fellow Officer who has commented that it is an excellent book and he has been in narcotics for 7 years.

Everyone who is facilitating conversations on difficult subjects and/or conflictual issues should read this book. Ron Kraybill gives us his best tools, learned from years of mediating and teaching, including years working in South Africa. Whatever your issue or conflict, there is a tool here that will help you.

A colleague handed me a copy of The Little Book of Cool Tools for Hot Topics: Group Tools to Facilitate Meetings When Things Are Hot (The Little Books of Justice and Peacebuilding). We both work in an organization, live in a community, have allegiance to a Land, and are concerned for the whole world - so conflict and disputes are all around us.

"It's a quick read, hands on, lots of useful techniques; you'll like it."

It was and I did.

Whether you are planning to lead a group through a conflicted time, or will be part of the group itself and want to learn more about taking a larger point of view - this little book is a great resource.

Bob Leming
Philadelphia

"The Crafting and Use of Ritual Tools" contains all the information you will need to craft your own wands, staffs, and ritual daggers. Construction details are in step-by-step format, and the authors have included guidelines for adding personalized decorations. Highly recommended!

Don't hesitate - get a copy of this book. It is the absolute best guide I've read on how to make and use your own spiritual and magical ritual tools. Why pay a lot of money for commerically made tools? It's fun to make your own! Learn how to make and use a ritual staff, wand, rune set, medicine shield, athame, and more.