Inside of 85 pages, this guide which follows the format of "Getting Started With Arduino" by Banzi, and which describes an Open Source Platform based upon C# and the .Net Micro Framework called "Netduino", outlines experiments to drive LEDS, a Piezo Speaker, Motors, and finally allow the system to respond to commands via the Internet. The writing is clear and succinct. In this brief tutorial which simplifies its content, it is impossible to appreciate the full power of a platform that allows Object Oriented Programming, as well as Event-Based code, and which permits Multi-threading, Sockets and HTTP access to the Internet. But, after performing these experiments with ease and clear direction the reader is introduced to a powerful Open Source Platform that goes beyond the power of Arduino and for approximately $60.00 in the Netduino Plus configuration offers a more powerful processor, Ethernet connectivity and storage on a SD card. In addition to preparing an experimenter for use of the Netduino family, this guide serves as an introduction to the .Net Micro Framework, and Microsoft Research's even more powerful Open Source Platform: .Net Gadgeteer.
I recommend this book for the hobbyist, and those who desire an introduction to Microsoft's powerful Open Source platform for embedded systems development.
--Ira Laefsky, MSE/MBA IT Consultant and Embedded Systems/HCI Researcher formerly on the Senior Consulting Staff of Arthur D. Little, Inc. and Digital Equipment Corporation