"Make:" seems obsessed with the Arduino controllers, though I'm not sure why. I understand some of the benefits, but Arduino seems to have almost completely crowded out discussion of other microcontrollers (PIC, Stamp, 8051, etc.). I've even seen articles on projects featuring Arduino controllers which arguably could have been built completely with passive components, or perhaps timer chips.
Is there any chance that "Make:" coverage of microcontrollers might diversify a little?
It's not only Make that is obsessed with Arduino. Other magazines and websites devote a lot of resources to it.
There is a huge amount of hardware and software support for the Arduino boards. All this support makes the programming and wiring pretty painless for those who have little experience with those things (I suspect even a 555 requires some level of knowledge to use). All this made it easy for people who might have otherwise avoided microcontrollers or electronics. That's my guess, anyway.
As Alan said, Make accepts submissions. I for one think that there is already quite a bit of diversity in their content but would definitely welcome more. Go for it!
Reading up on and watching videos about Arduino reveals that this particular mcu was made with the general populace and creative types especially in mind.
It certainly took off. It also has the support of the people whom made Processing which probably helped a lot with the startup process and a basis of ready-made users before it was even built.
Just to point out a previous article that featured a PICAxe: the Luna Mod Looper from Make: 26. I recently made a version using a Basic Stamp 2 as I do not have a PICAxe.