MAKE Magazine

[jstevenperry]

I did a search for this, so if it's redundant, I apologize in advance. I'm not affiliated with the magazine, other than I am an author of books from the same publisher (O'Reilly). This magazine is great. But I've wondered if anyone else has had problems with parts availability. That's my main question. Seems like the projects in the mag require parts that can only be acquired from different dealers.

Is there a market for the projects from the magazine? I could definitely order the parts, put them all together and tell you guys where to get them. Or --- let you guys order them from me. Cut out the middleman, right? You've all ordered kits before, right?

Just wondering about your thoughts.... Here's a URL

http://www.makezine.com/

 

[audioguru2]

I liked the visual effects article, but I didn't find any electronic projects there.

 

[ante1]

Hi Steven,

Welcome to our forum.
Exactly what kind of parts do you have trouble finding and where do you live?
Just curious, which books from O’Reilly are you the author of?

 

[jstevenperry]

I appreciate the reply. I have only built one of the projects (Issue #2 - Mousebot), but had to get the parts from two different places because of price. I got the motors from Solarbotics, and everything else from Jameco. (Jameco didn't have motors small enough to fit in the mouse case.) So I paid like 2.35 each for motors and 7 bucks or so for shipping. To make it worth it I ordered 10 motors.

I live in Little Rock, AR, USA, so if a part I need isn't at Radio Shack (and sadly, that is becoming more and more the case) I have to order it. I'm finding there are SO many electronics stores online. I've ordered from All Electronics, Jameco, Carl's Electronics, Elenco and Solarbotics, but that doesn't even begin to scratch the surface.

As for the books, I wrote "Java Management Extensions" and a chapter of "Java Enterprise Best Practices", both published in 2002.

--steve

 

[audioguru2]

Hi Steve,
These online electronic parts distributors have just about anything:
www.digikey.com
www.newarkinone.com

Isn't it kinda hot in Arizona? I saw many lizards running around trying to catch my sweat drops. ;D ;D

 

[jstevenperry]

I requested and got the Digikey catalog one time in the mail. It was a little overwhelming. Thanks for the links.

btw - AR is Arkansas, Arizona is AZ. It's a common mistake.

 

[audioguru2]

btw - AR is Arkansas, Arizona is AZ. It's a common mistake.

Oops, I have been to most states in the US but not Arkinsaw. :-[
Here's a Google-earth satellite pic of an airplane crossing a highway in Arkansas (the ravine of the Colorado river nearby is awesome): View attachment 38034

 

[jstevenperry]

That's neat. And so is google Earth. I must have spent 4 hours the first night I installed it looking up the addresses of different people I know.

 

[audioguru2]

That's neat. And so is google Earth. I must have spent 4 hours the first night I installed it looking up the addresses of different people I know.

My son spotted my brand new car in the driveway of my daughter's home and the car I traded in the driveway of my home. I guess the pics of the different areas were taken on different days.
Some locations are very clear and others not so good. ;D

 

[jstevenperry]

My son spotted my brand new car in the driveway of my daughter's home and the car I traded in the driveway of my home. I guess the pics of the different areas were taken on different days.
Some locations are very clear and others not so good. ;D

I've noticed that too. But not only that, it seems that the more rural areas have the least up-to-date satellite photos based on recent expansion in Little Rock that is not reflected in the photos, and comparing that to more urban areas like, say, the Atlanta metro area. And areas of forrest will be different colors, I guess indicating that they were taken at different seasons of the year.

 

[audioguru2]

Google's earth program is still in beta testing and makes mistakes.
Check out the steep hill on a highway near here.

View attachment 38038