Make 001

O’Reilly was kind enough to send me a copy of the premiere issue of Make — a magazine more about atoms than bits (though there’s software stuff there too), written by and for extreme makers — people compelled to hack anything and everything they can get their hands on.

First issue: Great article on Kite Aerial Photography (which I’ve posted about here before), building a miniature linear accelerator in your basement, fabbing a functional video camera stabilizer on the cheap from galvanized pipe and barbell weights (crude, but effective – apparently performs almost as well as rigs costing thousands)… tons of fascinating stuff. A version of Popular Mechanics not destined for the barber shop, but for the workshop benches and nightstands of modern geeks. And almost no ads (though I’m sure that won’t be true by the second issue).

Includes a wonderful piece by Tim Anderson on Heirloom Technology — how inventors and researchers can work smarter and faster by spending more time in the library researching historical and organic solutions than in the lab reinventing the wheel. Beautifully written. Back when I lived in Boston, used to go to Tim’s MIT inventor/storyteller parties, and never left without jaw on floor. It was in Tim’s lab that I saw my first 3-D photocopier in action.

O’Reilly has hit one out of the park with this one. Will also check out the Make podcast tomorrow.

Music: Cubanismo :: Canto Al Monte

One Reply to “Make 001”

  1. Mark has been raving about Make for a couple months. I may have to check it out.

    Jeez, pimped him twice in as many B-house posts. He should pay me.

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