The Eyewriter Journey

The Vision:

We're on a mission to move Tucker from operating his computer via a headmouse - to operating the dang thing with his eyeballs. Yes - you got it - his eyeballs.

As Tucker puts it:

I'm down to my last nerve here, so what i've been searching for is an os x compatible gaze-mouse to replace my Headmouse which is sadly getting difficult to operate.

Unfortunately, until recently, the Eyewriter and similar devices have worked reliably only within the confines of their own specialized softwares. This means that until this very moment in time, no one – nowhere – no how was going to be cruising a Mac desktop using nothing but their eyes.

But lo and behold, just recently, the Eyewriter Initiative programmers have finally unleashed the Eye onto the Mac desktop at large – and it seems a delicate bridge has been sketched out just as I approach the chasm.

The Plan: The recent improvements to the Eyewriter code have convinced me to go ahead with plans to team up with one of LA’s prominent art & technology enclaves “The Machine Project” to build an Eyewriter to run my Mac OS X studio. The goal is to work together with Machine Project volunteers to experiment with the Eyewriter platform in the hopes of creating a virtual artists’ “life-saver” – an Eyewriter that works both in the Mac OS X and the wildly useful Mac-native art softwares.

The Mission: Part of the trick of surviving ALS is being prepared and learning your tools. It's a spiritual technology to be sure.

In the past six years I have managed to keep my digital tool belt always one step ahead of the disease. This time though the stakes are higher and my lead is slim.

Therefore... we must make haste - as my goal is to be able to work on the system before I have to rely on it – if you see what I mean

And So - The Eyewriter Journey Begins:

May 2011

AHOB Crew Members Curt Anderson & Phillip Stilley start assembling the Eyewriter v1 Prototype...

Curt's Mom, Jewel looks on as our weld-wielding wondermen get to work.

Links tested.... Lights blinking...

Onward brave souls!

Stay Tuned for the next installment when The Eyewriter goes to the Machine Project's Software Superhero...

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Comment by Cathy Gesualdo on May 17, 2011 at 3:50pm: A perfect example of how one man can make a difference! Right on brother Tucker!

Comment by Stacy "Sam" Kron on May 17, 2011 at 6:59am: WOW , you are a amazing man, you know that you will make this happen Stacy

Comment by Doting Auntie on May 16, 2011 at 3:32am: The Stilley bros will always be at the forefront of anything that touches their varied interests and this is HUGE. Much love. Yr doting auntie

Comment by Rachael Solem on May 15, 2011 at 7:00pm: I am so pleased and amazed to see this happening! I will indeed stay tuned!

Comment by Roberta (Fidler) Ricciardi on May 15, 2011 at 4:14pm: You're pioneers! I'm rooting for you all from my little corner of Connecticut.

Comment by Hugh Morgan Stilley IV on May 15, 2011 at 1:04pm: this is great good news -- off-ground getting!! Liftoff, chuggah! (old family lingo for "Tucker")

Software prof here in Mich. wants to contribute his talent if possible and sees this as hugely rewarding project. love, daddio

Comment by Joe Redcap on May 15, 2011 at 12:59pm: I'm so glad to see progress being made. Thanks to Phillup and Curt and the Machine Project.

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The Return of The Tattoo Necklace

If you missed the chance to buy one before, now's your second chance, with all proceeds going to help Tucker and his art.

Now Featuring:

Tucker's Description:

"So, about this image: besides whatever else you see in it, it's meta-art - an artifact - a map of my head movements on the screen over some amount of time.

The circles and dots are where my cursor paused, the bigger the black spot, the longer the pause.

The movements are my natural routine - eating, coughing, typing, research, painting, editing, programing music, watching movies and the biggest black spots of all - sleep.

I could in fact do file traceback and find out what other project was the seed for this image. hand-picked for you - one-off prints - one of a kind".

This particular print: Aug 25th to 18:13 to 08/26 20:26.