FireWire System Architecture: IEEE 1394A (2nd Edition)

..and boring. But useful :PI wanted to get a deeper understanding of the Firewire (IEEE 1394x) technology, and it gave me it all I could ask for.

well

The author does a very good job describing much of the IEEE-1394 specification. He breaks the spec down into a number of very clear and readable chapters that will enable you be well on your way to using the 1394 technology. Also, the diagrams and figures are very helpful -- especially when you compare to the layout of the actual specification.There are a few notable flaws, however. Though the cover says "Includes 1394a", it actually covers the preliminary version of 1394a (1998). This flaw is especially glaring since 1394a came out in 2000. Further, the book is pretty light on the OHCI for 1394 spec.In short, the book is very good at what it does, but needs to be updated and expanded.

The few, the proud, the chosen, the ones who can't really get that much help online.

Like another reviewer, I've found the book difficult to process due to the TERRIBLE print quality. There are unmistakable artifacts of scanning, as if the entire book was photocopied, page by page.Unfortunately, this makes the diagrams quite difficult to decipher at times, and makes for an uncomfortable reading experience. Items supposed to be discerned by shade are difficult to interpret, details are difficult to make out, and text quality is generally unacceptable.It is worth noting that mine is a "second" edition - I have to wonder if perhaps Addison Wesley lost the master and then had to scan them for reprint.

I didn't even get to reading this book because my copy looks to be printed on a 300 dpi laser printer, then photocopied, then bound. Many of the diagrams are difficult to read as a result. I was very surprised to see that Addison-Wesley was the publisher/printer of this book. Don't waste your time or money.

This book provides an excellent reference of the IEEE 1394 standard. It is written in easy-to-understand language, and is comprehensive in it's coverage. I have not opened my copy of the IEEE 1394-1995 standard since purchasing this book.