In the early internet/pre-internet days of the 80s and 90s, users with a modem would dial-in to Bulletin Board Systems (BBSes) to communicate, chat on public message boards, play text-based games, and share files. As the sharing of pirated software grew, so did the custom of bundling them with ANSI art crediting the crackers that provided the software, like hacker graffiti. Over time this art form evolved and stood on its own, with artists and crews pushing the boundaries of this 8-bit art form, and releasing art packs separate from any warez.

Please join us as we watch “The Art of Warez”! This 30-minute film is unrated, but we would describe it as PG-13, and totally cool.

If you’re interested in graffiti, pirating software, hacker/cracker subculture, or reminiscing about BBSes and old computers, you’ll love this.

https://www.meetup.com/AllHandsActive/events/264456816/

Learn how to use our Laser Cutter from 2-4pm on Saturday, September 14th!

With our 80 Watt Laser Cutter, you can cut intricate patterns in flat materials made of wood, (some) plastics, and many other materials to create art, earrings, board game tiles, friction-fit boxes, stencils, and so much more!

You will learn how the Laser Cutter works, and how to use the control software to make your designs become real.

We ask for a $20 donation for the class, but members aren’t expected to donate.

https://www.meetup.com/AllHandsActive/events/264199778/

Stop by All Hands Active on June 29th from 2-4pm and learn how to use our WanHao i3 3D printer. Learn to print out objects from the internet, or designs of your own!

Find more information about our 3D printers on the wiki.

We’ll demonstrate the printer, how to create gcode files, and how to perform basic debugging.

Taking this class certifies you to use the machine during public hours or during member only hours without supervision. Bring the following form with you, signed – Liability

Class cost: $20 public/$10 members.
- Exact cash at the door
- PayPal (Add a note that it’s for the 3D Printer Class)

Remember to come on out to AHA tonight for a board election! If you’re a member you can vote, but even if you aren’t, you can hang out and witness some mad non-profit  action! The party starts at 7pm and lasts until 10pm or when everyone goes home – hope to see you!

This Friday evening, 5-7pm, we will be bringing our 3D printers, and
some retro computing displays right down the road to the Ann Arbor Art
Center (117 W. Liberty St.) for a night of cool tech demos and art! It’s
a free event; so come check it out, enjoy a cool beverage, and take in
some of the art on display there.

More info here:
https://www.annarborartcenter.org/exhibitions/peripheral-technologies/

And FB event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2124682654491578/

See you there!

Stop by All Hands Active on Friday June 7th from 3pm-7pm for Ann Arbor Tech Trek!

Take a tour of our shop and see displays of what our members and the community have been working on, including: Arduino projects, electric race cars, retro-computing, art and jewelery, 3D printing, robotic hands and more! Learn how you can become a park of All Hands Active!

Hope to see you there!

Elections for the next Board of Directors are coming up! Beginning today is the
nomination period for prospective Directors. We are looking to fill three of our
Board positions during this election (see the list below).

We are an official 501(c)(3), and our current goals are to attract new members,
interesting projects, and exciting workshops to the new space. We need to build
the community of makers and hackers that use our workshop. If you think you can
help us achieve this very important objective, please consider running for the
Board of Directors! A Director’s term is one year long.

Continue reading →

It’s pretty slippery out there, so we’ve told our volunteer to stay home for the night. We anticipate being open tomorrow, and the rest of the weekend as scheduled.

We will be canceling public hours for Friday, February the 9th due to anticipated snowpocalypseageddon. There’s a chance things will remain ugly throughout the weekend, so stay tuned here for any further announcements of snow-related public hours cancellations. Keep safe and warm if you venture out!

The hard work of Daniel Dugan to design and produce a new prosthetic thumb for Pete Blanshard of Antelope Antiques and Coins (right next to AHA!) has made the news.

The full article can be read here.

Special thank you to Daniel for his work and helping generate some good news in the world!