Customer Reviews
3.5 stars 
2006-06-05
This magazine is interesting, but check it out in the store before you subscribe. Many of the projects are costly and of little use. If you happen to have the tools and supplies on hand, it's worthwhile to check out. If you do not already make things and have access to lots of equipment to help you make things, there are other sources on the web that provide kits that will get you started with much less fuss. Most of the stuff in the issues dealing with various types of 'hacks' are interesting, but again expensive, and you can find most of those sources on the web.
Read 
2006-05-29
This quarterly magazine really hits the spot, if you're in its crosshairs. It's a clean miss for others.
It's pretty easy to tell whether you're in the target audience. Do you have a closet full of decommisioned PCs, cell phones, and other 21st-century rubble that you just know you could do "something" with? Do you have a Dremel tool, fine-tipped soldering iron, and more than one kind of epoxy in the house? Do the phrases "It works" and "It's beautiful" mean roughly the same thing to you? Does the idea of a home CNC milling machine stir you to jealousy or a quick look at your checkbook? Two or more yes answers probably qualify you as the intended reader.
This is about hacking your PC mouse or the cage for your pet mouse, about resurrecting last year's laptop as an electronic photo frame, and about how simple a robot control can be (you'd be surprised). It's like Popular Mechanics, but for the people who consider software, resistors, and pieces from antique clocks to be interchangeable. Although a few of the ideas in each issue have low-tech appeal, most are aimed at skill sets from "geeky highschooler" to "electronics professional".
This magazine comes from O'Reilly, the publisher who fills the bookshelves of dilbertian cube farms everywhere. In some ways, this looks like a self-concious attempt at community-building, creating a forum for home robot-builders and artisans of the silicon age. Well, maybe that's not a bad thing - the communities are out there, but not easy for a beginner to find or to break into. It also helps that the the minimal advertising (part of the reason for the hefty cover price) is well targeted to the electronic and gadgeteering hobbyist. The title is only up to issue number 6 at this writing, so I'm not sure that it's wholly found itself yet. For example, I would have preferred a schematic for some of the circuits in addition to the assembly instructions. Still, with a scriptwriter from MacGyver, there's a lot to like here - for the right reader.
//wiredweird
No true geek should be without a subscription 
2006-05-13
This fine magazine is a cross between WIRED, American Woodworker, Popular Mechanics and Scientific American. Each issue features four very detailed DIY projects, along with short descriptions and general guides to a few others. Combined with the DIY info, there is the usual mix of opinion articles, political commentary, news summaries, letters, articles about crazy DIY-folk, etc.
The four "core" DIY projects in each issue include step-by-step instructions, full parts lists and extensive photos (or screenshots). All parts lists also include sources, which is important in an age where the parts department of Radio Shack just isn't what it used to be.
The projects featured in each issue are usually funky, weird, stuff that only a tiny fraction of the readers will actually build. As another reviewer said, most of the projects are simply not that useful. However, just because the projects aren't exactly useful doesn't mean they aren't cool. Will I ever build a timed cat feeder powered by a castoff VCR and a recycled hand-crank meat grinder? No. Do I think that the idea of recycling the motors and control circuits to do such a thing is neat? Of course, and any "real" geek would agree.
Most electronic projects assume basic soldering skills (an introduction to soldering is available in Vol 1), and most computer projects natrually involve more skill than just booting the machine.
Outside of the "core" projects in each issue, the "DIY" section features a bunch of abbreviated project summaries, with the expectation you will have to scrounge some of your own parts, and be able to read a schematic diagram. A geeky friend could probably help you out with those if you are in over your head.
Yes, this magazine is expensive. $34.95/yr for four issues sounds like a lot. However, the ads are far less intrusive than they would be in a cheaper magazine, the articles better written, and to make it suitable for use in an actual workshop, it is printed on sturdy bond paper and bound with a cardstock cover.
As with any magazine, some issues and some articles are better than others, but on the whole, the quality of the magazine is quite high.
Many have said that most of the tutorials in the magazine can be found on the web in various forms, scattered about. That is completely true. Nevertheless, it is convenient to have the information in a fairly well-tested magazine that has the added advantage of being on paper.
In summary, if the sort of topics covered in MAKE interest you, I know of no other magazine on the market that is better.
Wonderful Magazine of Great Projects 2006-04-17
First, let me say that this publication will definately bring out the kid in you. It's basically a 'how to' manual for fun projects along with some great editoral. While MAKE is more geared toward the hobbyist crowd, there are plenty of projects for novices. And the whole point is to get you building, creating, and having fun--so you can move on to those bigger, more ambitious projects. And YES, buy one off the magazine rack and try it out first--what goofball buys a subscription to a magazine before reading it???
Has the promise to be a great mag but ... 2005-11-28
Had great expectations, for the expensive subscription you get some really great coverage of neat hardware hacking stuff happening out there (and available on the web). The how to make stuff takes many many unnecessary pages, get the feel that they are trying to fill the pages with large photo spreads. Still has a way to go before it becomes a successful combination of Wired magazine, Elektor electronics, and hardware hack websites. Would definitely like more stuff like making an XYZ mill/router instead of a feature on the MIT fab lab. In spite of all the above I have renewed the pricey subscription - am still hoping ...!
Mostly junk, of very limited interest--buy a copy first 
2005-11-22
MAKE brings the do-it-yourself mindset to all the technology in your life and celebrates your right to tweak, hack, and bend your technology to your will. MAKE ignites your ingenuity and connects you with your fellow "Makers."
For Anyone Who Thinks Outside the Box 2005-11-20
'Build a Light-Seeking Robot from an Old (Computer) Mouse' on the cover of V2 was the hook that drew me in. Now I find myself seriously considering the purchase of a soldering iron...
I have been a longtime subscriber to Scientific American and many years ago they ran a column called 'The Amateur Scientist' which discussed the physics behind everyday occurrences and offered many hands-on projects to explore the world of light, radiation, physics, etc. Now we have Make. Don't misunderstand me - this is not a science magazine, but it is an exploring and thinking magazine. Make will appeal to anyone who has ever hesitated to throw out old electronics or appliances because maybe there were parts they could reuse, or who ever took something apart out of curiosity to see what was inside. There are other perks as well - I found the 'Toolbox' section of the mag to be a great starting point for stocking stuffers.
Make magazine recaptures that 'knowledge for it's own sake' feeling. Each issue provides you with detailed and well-illustrated articles showing how people can adapt existing technology and products to new and different uses, or just make the existing product better.
With 3 jaded house cats, Mousey the Junkbot could be just what we need to shake things up around here.
I'll give them credit... 2005-09-13
I have to say that I was a bit disappointed with the first two issues... entertained, but not enthralled. Nevertheless, this mag has tons of potential. I expect some near-misses when a truly creative endeavor steps outside "the formula."
Happily, THEY'VE COME INTO THEIR OWN with issue three! (That is, after they replaced my USPS-mangled copy. For the record, they did so QUICKLY).
This mag is produced by the O'Reilly empire of geekytechnohack books which are well regarded in the tech trenches. The unique and exciting concept here is harnessing the largely computer-based hacking ethos and challenging its exclusively "virtual" focus. SAFETY WARNING: pale, overcaffeinated hackers MUST use sunscreen when they step outside for a fresh look at the non-virtual world!
This is not the cheapest subscription on the shelf (and for only four issues/yr), but these mags are STUFFED with content, and will keep you busy for weeks of casual reading.
I personally believe the quarterly format makes sense. These are not the kind of topics I want to see in a large/slim format "throwaway" package. I expect these magazines to stay on the shelf for future reference. To that end, the editors would do well to create a cumulative topic index in each issue. (Consumer Reports is a familiar example).
Overall, highly recommended!
Restoring Dignity and Nobility to the term 2005-03-14
O'Reilly Publishing has been on an almost solo crusade it seems to elevate the word "hacker" to its former dignity and nobility.
The media has co-opted the term and used it for any variety of malicious computer programmer or Internet malcontent. I myself am guilty of "mis-using" the term and have even written that the hacker purists should just get used to it (see What Is In A Name?.
But, the roots of hacking are more benign. Hacking is about being clever, not malicious. Pure hackers set out to be ingenious, not notorious. The O'Reilly Hacks series of books is devoted to this interpretation of hacking and now true hackers who just want to know how things work under the hood and tinker with them to create new inventions of their own have a magazine to help them.
The beginning contains a lot of newsy sort of tid bits that describe various hacking projects or hacker tales, but don't include the complete details. For example, there are a few photos and a brief rundown of the home monorail system Kim Pederson built in his backyard. Five years, $4,000 (USD), and 300 feet of track later his monorail glides around his backyard with ease.
The middle section provides a handful of full-fledged projects, complete with an inventory of the materials and tools necessary, full details for how to construct it and illustrations to guide you.
If you are interested in hacking and learning how to convert and modify gadgets and gizmos to do your bidding, check out this magazine. If you have done some of your own hacking projects already, contact the editor to see about publishing it in an upcoming edition of Make.
(...)
a geeky blend of all my favorite mags 2005-03-09
I just received the premiere issue of Make Magazine from O'Reilly yesterday. Let me just say this mag is a geek's dream come true. It's not a magazine about coding. Heck, I'm not sure if calling it a magazine is even accurate. It's more of a journal or zine (but with higher production values). A geek quarterly, if you will.
For example... the premiere issue features an article on aerial photography. Not geeky enough for you? Ok, how about aerial photography accomplished by rigging up a camera to a kite? Still not geeky enough? Throw in a homemade mechanism for triggering the shutter from the ground. The best part is, this isn't just an article full of theory. These guys DO this stuff. The article is full of pictures, plans and step by step instructions on how to make it happen.
That's not all... other How-To articles include: making a 5-in-1 network cable, making a magnetic stripe reader, XM Radio hacks, tips and tricks for your IPOD, gmail hacks, IPAQ hacks and a lot more. This puppy is just under 200 pages of D-I-Y technology.
Still not geeky enough? How about an article on how to make your own railgun, using magnets, a ruler and some steel bearings? There's also an article about hacking robotic dogs to sniff out toxic waste. This is geek goodness in all it's glory.
If you like reading 2600 (the hacker quarterly), Maximum PC and Scientific American, roll them all into one and you have Make (but without the attitude of Maximum PC and the leetspeak of 2600). I'm gonna subscribe!
