Introducing the “MAKE Buddy”
I’ve always thought instant messaging was fast lightweight way to get information – often better than opening up a browser on your computer, or trying to use a phone to browse the web. So, we’re now in “beta” of a new way to get the latest from MAKE, it’s a little MAKE buddy you’ll be able to add to you buddy list on AIM/iChat. Right now you can get the latest posts, news, gadgets and events from MAKE, and have the little MAKE buddy message you when there are new posts if you choose. We’ll also add queries, for example you could type “How do I weld” and the buddy would send you a link. Here’s a screen shot of him now, once he’s ready for more testers I’ll let you know! Image – MAKE Buddy.
“GET LAMP: The documentary is a currently-in-production documentary about the story of the text adventure, a genre of game that flourished commercially in the early 1980s, with roots reaching many years before and with rebirths and innovations sprouting from it to the present day.” You can pre-order it now – [
We have a ton of new goodies from MAKE – a limited edition YEAR ONE 4 volume set, our high speed flash photography kit, the Makers book, shirts and more. Mark (editor-in-chief) has a bit about 
Onyxfrog wants you! “I work at a Home Depot and over the holiday shopping season we have a ‘santas workshop’ setup and I get to run all sorts of demos and classes. It’s lots of fun and I keep all my issues of Make with me for ideas but I would really like to hear and cool How-To’s you guys have that can be done with products primarily from Home Depot. I actually made a cigar box guitar last weekend. So far I haven’t been able to convince them to let me make a spud-gun but I’ve made plenty of mini-marshmallow guns =) If it wasn’t so darn cold out I would love to do a Kite Aerial Photography demo. So if anyone has any ideas I would love to hear them!” 
Michael writes “InventionDB – the “wikipedia of projects” – is giving away a new iPod Video to the best project submission before 12/31/05. Everyone welcome. InventionDB.com is a free project-blogging engine built on top of an interconnected database of people, organizations, projects, resources and vendors. It allows anyone doing creative projects to quickly build online project portfolios connected to multiple team members, project resources, organizational affiliations and vendors used.” 
Slashdot is inviting folks to post their questions for the Mythbusters – not sure if it’s too late, but have at it! – “Who are the Mythbusters? Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman are the hosts of a unique and popular television show on the Discovery cable channel. Working from a background in the special effects industry and shooting on location at effects warehouse M5 Industries, Jamie and Adam attempt to shed light on hearsay, rumour, and myth. Along the way they usually run across a little bit of science, too.”… 
The C-3PO from 