My next step was an e-mail to the
building principal. I told her that I
planned to build a Nintendo Wii whiteboard, and that my first cost estimate was
about $100. I wanted to build-in some
cushion just in case I had to buy additional hardware. That gave me the financial breathing room I
needed until I could determine a precise cost.
A Man's Got To Know His Limitations
There's one sure-fire way to
reduce hardware costs: do it yourself!
There are several Web sites that describe in detail how to build your
own LED infrared pen. Johnny Lee, the
Ph.D. student who designed the Wii whiteboard, even provides a simple schematic. It doesn't look like it would be hard to do.
It's also something that I don't
want to try just yet. Although I believe
I could make it work, there are lots of other ways in which I'll be stretching
myself, both in terms of skill and knowledge.
This is something I can come back to later. Plus, since infrared light isn't visible to the
human eye, what would happen if the infrared light wasn't working? I wouldn't know if the problem was my
light-building skills or other issues (such as getting software to work).
Bringing In the Big Guns
I'm lucky to have an open dialogue
with my superintendent. While we were
e-mailing each other about another topic, the subject of what I was doing
during my summer at GlobalSpec came up. So,
I let him know about my plans to try and build a DIY Whiteboard. I've found that when it comes to doing something
off the beaten path, you're better off to let people know what you're up to -
especially if they're routinely supportive.
I had the added benefit of a
GlobalSpec supervisor who would allow me to use company time to build a DIY
whiteboard as long as I blogged about it.
When you have support around you, go to the people you know and have a
relationship with. In fact, my
supervisor had some great additional ideas about LED IR Pens and other
resources. Thank you, GlobalSpec!
Next Blog: Building
the Wiimote Whiteboard begins!
| 
Re: Wii Want Whiteboards! Well, Wii’ll See (Part 4)
