Fab ISP.
I first downloaded the black and white .png's of the fab sip and its outline. I opened fab modules and mounted the board to the bed of the Modela mill using double-sided tape. A 1/64" end mill is used to cut the traces on the board. A second toolpath physically cuts the board out. After the first toolpath is completed, I then replace the 1/64" bit with a 1/10" and run the outline .png of the board through fab modules. The whole process takes approximately 30 minutes.
Programming the board was pretty straight forward. I downloaded the program from the academy website and used the AVR dude to upload it to the board. The solid green light on the AVR device indicates that the programming was a success. However, I never actually got my personal fab isp to work. Scott also had the same issue. We eventually just wound up sharing the single AVR dude.
I had a lot of help building the ISP. Scott was very helpful (like always!) with making sure I understood the theory of how boards were printed on the Modela Mill and LPKF multi-tool milling machine. Scott had already printed out his board and a backup. He walked me through setting up the machine and how to program the tool path. It took about an hour to print two boards: one for practice and the other for usage. I succeeded on the first attempt at soldering and programming! I have been soldering since before high school so that part was easy enough.
Fab ISP.
I came back later in the week to program my Fab ISP. I followed the instructions, but somehow the board was not being recognized as a USB device. Scott had the same problem. We both managed to program our new ISPs, but after the desolder step, could not communicate with them.
I went to our class for help and almost instantly received multiple solutions for my problem. It turns out we weren't supposed to desolder both joints, only the SJ1. I will know how that works for me in the next day or so.
I just want to thank Scott again for so much hard work, not only is he doing this for himself, but he's also teaching and supporting me. If it weren't for him I'd be S.O.L.