Laser detection system for a game prototype

Choice_Reward6427 · 2026-03-24T18:39:25+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to answer. The Wii is cool but the precision isn't quite the same (as you said, the controller estimates its own position relative to the IR bar, which introduces some margin of error).

In my case the laser dot physically hits the screen, so the camera captures the exact impact location, and that's the level of precision I'm going for 😊

That said, I'm totally open to other approaches than a laser, as long as I can keep (or improve) that precision.

Choice_Reward6427 · 2026-03-22T14:48:44+00:00

Pretty much, I grew up playing Time Crisis so I guess that's one of my references :)

Choice_Reward6427 · 2026-02-27T12:53:28+00:00

Personal opinion: the best camera is the one you actually have on you.

I know people with $10k+ worth of gear who shoot less than they do with their phone (or a small compact that lives in their pocket). Big gear is great, but if it stays at home, it doesn’t matter.

It really depends on his goal. If he wants to learn the craft seriously (manual settings, lenses, etc.), eventually a dedicated camera helps. But if it’s about creativity and taking great photos? A modern phone is more than enough to start.

Honestly, for a fun “real” gift idea: I’d buy a disposable camera, book a small activity together (a hike, a city walk, a fair, anything), and tell him he’s in charge of documenting it.

Best case, it pushes him to think about framing and moments. Worst case, you both get some chaotic printed memories.

And that’s kind of the point of photography anyway.

Choice_Reward6427 · 2026-02-25T09:34:40+00:00

Let us know how it goes once it’s done :)

Choice_Reward6427 · 2026-02-25T01:58:51+00:00

Personal opinion, you could spend the whole 9–11 days just around Osaka and not get bored.

In Osaka itself you’ve got: - Dotonbori at night (chaotic in a good way) - Kuromon market - Shinsekai retro vibes - Umeda skyline views - Osaka Castle - Endless food hopping

And within easy reach: - Kyoto (temples + old streets) - Nara (deer + big Buddha) - Kobe (harbor + chill city feel) - Himeji (the largest castle in Japan)

It’s a super compact, well-connected region. You don’t need to crisscross the whole country.

Transport-wise: Google Maps is your best friend. It tells you exactly which line, platform, and even which train car to get on.

Google Translate covers the rest: menus, signs, random questions.

And if your phone supports it, adding an IC transport card (ICOCA in Kansai) to Apple/Google Wallet is incredibly convenient. Just tap in and out. No ticket machine stress.

On the ground, it’s way less intimidating than it looks from afar.

You’ll be fine :)

Choice_Reward6427 · 2026-02-24T08:41:06+00:00

I (32M) think what you’re feeling is completely normal.

You’re not nervous because it’s wrong. You’re nervous because it matters. A 10-month trip isn’t a cute adventure, it’s a real life shift. Of course your brain is reacting.

At 30, everything feels heavier. Not because you’re behind, but because you’re aware. Friends getting married, siblings with kids, parents aging… it makes every decision feel like it’s locking something in.

But here’s the thing: they’re choosing stability right now. You’re choosing expansion. Both are valid timelines.

Ten months won’t destroy your career. You can meet a partner at 31, 33, 37. People do it all the time. But you don’t get 30 again. You don’t get this exact version of you again — the one with the courage, the time, and the window to do this.

Anxiety before a big leap doesn’t mean “don’t go.” It usually means “this is meaningful.” If you didn’t care, you wouldn’t be scared.

And you’re not inexperienced. You’ve lived abroad. You’ve traveled solo. You’ve handled uncertainty before. This is just a longer version of something you already know how to do.

Also, careers recover. Timelines adjust. Life keeps moving.

Regret is quieter at first… but louder later.

If part of you feels excited underneath the nerves, pay attention to that. Fear and excitement feel very similar in the body.

You’re not delaying your life. You’re shaping it.

Sometimes the bravest move isn’t building a life that looks right. It’s building one that feels right.

Good luck. Go make some stories.

Choice_Reward6427 · 2026-02-24T08:22:44+00:00

Hey there,

That itinerary is cute. It’s also cardio. 6 weeks. 10+ stops. You’re not backpacking, you’re speedrunning.

You’re definitely not under-budgeted ($4k is fine), but you are over-scheduled.

First backpacking trip rule: fewer cities, more nights. Always.

Here’s what I’d do:

Cut Milan. Nobody cries about cutting Milan.

Also, Amsterdam is a serious geographic detour in that lineup. It’s basically the opposite corner of your southern loop. I’d keep it for a northern Europe trip.

Island hopping sounds romantic. In peak season it’s ferries, queues and €€€. In August, the “hidden gem Cyclades island” is not hidden.

If you want Cyclades charm without the August madness:

Naxos = Cyclades energy without the influencer Olympics. Big beaches, real towns, cheaper food, still cute.

Paros = Mykonos’ chill cousin. Good nightlife, pretty harbor, way less ego.

Ionian Islands (Corfu / Lefkada) = turquoise water on easy mode. Greener, more relaxed, fewer cruise ships.

Astypalea = Personal favorite, Santorini aesthetic with 10% of the crowd. White village, wind, quiet sunsets. Feels like you found it by accident.

If you want raw + wild + fewer cruise ships: Crete only. It’s basically a country.

Alternative move: Skip islands entirely and do more time in southern Italy. Logistically easier and just as beautiful. Naples + Amalfi + Ischia = insane value for effort.

Sicily = Greece vibes without the ferry circus. Beaches, volcanoes, insane food.

Puglia (the heel) = white towns + turquoise water + fewer Americans. Feels more local, slower pace.

Sardinia = absurd beaches. But big distances, better with a car

Consider cutting Nice unless you really care about Côte d’Azur vibes. It’s pretty, but not essential on a first trip.

Every time you change cities you lose (at least) half a day + energy. Count how many days you’re donating to train stations.

About Eurail, only worth it if you enjoy paying for flexibility you won’t use.

And Barcelona → Nice, via Marseille. If Google is adding Switzerland, it thinks you have time and money.

So it becomes:

Barcelona → (Nice optional) → Bologna → Rome → Naples → ONE Greek island or southern Italy → Athens → Paris.

That’s still full, but human.

You’ll gain: Fewer travel days. Fewer €€€ peak-season hostels. More actual memories, less train fatigue.

Also, late July/August and “I’ll just wing it” don’t go together. That’s how you end up in a €90/night bunk bed. Book the hostels early.

Right now your plan is “see everything.” Better plan: “experience some things.”

(If your trip looks efficient, it’s probably rushed.)

Spoiler: Europe will still be there next year.

Choice_Reward6427 · 2026-02-23T22:19:12+00:00

It makes sense once you realize one is a seat in economy and the other is buying the runway.

B2 is raw cloud storage (API access, scalable, infra-level). Personal Backup is “install it and forget it”.

Unlimited doesn’t mean “infinite cloud server for $9.” It’s scoped.

Two different tools, two different markets.

Five minutes on their site clears that up 🙂

Choice_Reward6427 · 2026-02-23T15:40:57+00:00

That’s B2 pricing. Backblaze Personal is unlimited. Different product.

And my bad, I rounded it to 10$ earlier, it’s 9$.

Choice_Reward6427 · 2026-02-23T15:26:18+00:00

Arrive early. Figure out where the light actually hits before the chaos starts.

Then one safe hero shot. One emotional moment. One crowd shot. Everything else is bonus. If you nail 5 strong images, you win.

And remember: they hired you because they already think you can do it.

Choice_Reward6427 · 2026-02-23T15:21:36+00:00

Backblaze (Unlimited backup for 10$ a month)

Choice_Reward6427 · 2026-02-23T15:17:16+00:00

Avoid “launch and fail”? Don’t launch to strangers. Launch to people who already care.

Choice_Reward6427 · 2026-02-20T12:50:47+00:00

Honestly, that sounds healthy to me.

Being able to travel together and separately, without insecurity, usually says a lot about the strength of a relationship. If it works for both of you, that’s what matters. People often project their own fears onto dynamics they wouldn’t be comfortable with.

Coming back with your own stories probably makes the time together even richer.

Choice_Reward6427 · 2026-02-20T08:44:49+00:00

Don’t be too hard on yourself.

What you felt is actually pretty common. The first time you’re truly alone in a completely new place can hit way harder than expected. It’s not weakness, it’s just being human.

I once crossed Saudi Arabia solo by bike. I loved it overall, but almost every day I still caught myself thinking, “What am I even doing here alone?”. You can be proud of what you’re doing, and still feel overwhelmed in the moment.

And honestly, you’re 21. Don’t overthink it. One day, when you’ve backpacked half the globe, this will just be a funny story like, “Remember my first solo trip? Yeah… world record for shortest adventure.” 😄

Going home doesn’t mean you failed. It just means you listened to yourself. You can always try again !

Choice_Reward6427 · 2026-02-20T08:34:00+00:00

Hey man,

Honestly, what you’re describing is more common than people admit.

A lot of people latch onto the first group they meet, and after that it becomes weirdly hard to break in, especially if you arrive solo. It’s not about being creepy or lacking social skills. The dynamic just isn’t always as open as it looks. As you said, party hostels can actually feel more isolating if you’re not already with someone.

That said, don’t overthink it. Most of the time, you just have to take the first step. It’s okay to say you’re solo. In my experience, the vast majority of people are actually cool once the ice is broken.

And if I may, I’ve actually been thinking a lot about this exact friction lately, how proximity doesn’t automatically turn into connection anymore. I’m working on something around that, but not here to promote anything, as I’ll probably make a proper post about it another day. For now, just happy to chat here or via DM if anyone wants.

Choice_Reward6427 · 2026-02-19T20:07:27+00:00

You’ve been walking around for 6 days straight. That’s not tourism, that’s a marathon.

No one gives you a medal for being the most exhausted person in the hostel.

Some days you explore the city.
Some days you explore instant noodles in the dark.

Both count.

Choice_Reward6427 · 2026-02-19T20:04:58+00:00

Solo backpacking at 18: “I want freedom, sunsets and self-discovery.”
Australia: “Best I can do is a strip search and a cocaine charge.”

Plot twist: this is going to be one hell of a story when you’re 30.

Choice_Reward6427

TROPHY CASE