All posts by bill

ATMaker’s Facebook Group is Gone – What?

Well, this has been quite the weekend.

On Saturday, I asked my delightful sister to help me share ATMakers in Atlanta. We talked through a post she could share with her local friends, and I included a link to ATMakers.org’s main website.

She posted it and immediately we found out that the main site (which is based on WordPress) had been hacked. They had posted a ton of horrible ads and “your computer has been infected” garbage on the homepage. Worse, they hide it when you’re logged in, so I Continue reading ATMaker’s Facebook Group is Gone – What?

Mike’s Gun: An ATMakers.org Project

UPDATE:  I’m so sorry to share that Mike Phillips passed away from complications due to SMA at age 39.  We are so glad we were able to share one of our favorite moments with Mike: our hearts go out to his mom, Karen, and all who will miss his light.

On Saturday, June 23, 2018 Mike Phillips finally checked off a long-standing desire from his “Things to Do” list – firing a gun with a switch.  ATMakers.org is happy to have helped this happen.  Check out his story below. Continue reading Mike’s Gun: An ATMakers.org Project

Automated Testing of 3.5mm AT Jacks

At ATMakers, we use lots of AT Jacks.  Every switch-adapted toy, every interface device, almost everything we make requires a 3.5mm jack or plug.

Because of this, we ask STEM programs and Robotics teams to make us jacks and plugs as their first soldering project, and we’re always making them here.  Therefore we have lots of jacks, and we need to do lots of testing! This project makes that simple!
Continue reading Automated Testing of 3.5mm AT Jacks

#ATIAMakerDay 2018 was a huge hit!

This year, ATMakers.org was thrilled to host the first annual ATIA Maker Day at the ATIA Annual Conference!

STEM Students and Makers from around the country shared their experiences working with AT Users as well as the amazing technology and skills they bring to bear. ATIA attendees learned to solder, adapt toys, and make custom AT solutions using InstaMorph and corrugated plastic. Everyone had a fantastic time and the exhibit hall was filled with incredible energy! Continue reading #ATIAMakerDay 2018 was a huge hit!

Low-Cost Door Opener Preview

A few months ago, we asked our friend Kyleigh Kramlich what would help her most in dealing with her mobility and muscle challenges due to Cerebral Palsy… first on her list: a door opener for her bedroom.

Fast forward and she’s now our first Beta Tester for this Low Cost Door Opener designed by FTC veterans Ryan and Jim Olson and ATMakers founder Bill Binko.

Continue reading Low-Cost Door Opener Preview

Christmas Toy Adapt-A-Thon for F.A.A.S.T.

How do you switch-adapt over 100 toys for kids in a single day? Over 40 volunteers working over 8 hours of controlled chaos certainly helps!
Thank you to our two FRC Teams (Roaring Riptide #4118 & GRA-V #5816), FACTUR for the use of their event space & equipment, U.F. Engineering’s B.O.T.S. team, LessonPix.com for financial support (and Pizza!) and everyone who gave their Sunday to help out the kids F.A.A.S.T. serves!
Continue reading Christmas Toy Adapt-A-Thon for F.A.A.S.T.

IntelliKeys Open Source Rescue

Great News! Ablenet has open-sourced the IntelliKeys drivers!

Thousands of people use the IntelliKeys programmable USB keyboards to access their computers, communicate, and even speak with text-to-speech.  Recently Ablenet (who now owns the IntelliTools products) decided not to continue producing them.

Thankfully, they have chosen to Open Source the drivers.  This is a huge decision, and we want to do everything we can to make that decision a winning one.  So, we’re looking for some Makers to help port the drivers to Windows 10 & the latest OS/X and perhaps rework the firmware to make the devices more flexible and cross-platform
Continue reading IntelliKeys Open Source Rescue