The decision to stop developing with Java was likely best for long term usefulness but it was immensely painful on the immediate schedule. As you might have guessed, I have not been doing any development on my game in the past few months. That is not to say I haven't been programming, just not high level programming.
The new project I've picked up and have slowly started putting hours into is using the Freescale Kwikstik to act as an odometer for my bike trainer. I am hoping that by using the onboard IR diode and receiver I can detect a piece of black electrical tape spinning around the inertial mass. In my mind I should be able to pull this off quite simply and then once I'm counting revolutions the project can really take off, USB data uploads, speed profiles, etc.
If I do get data up to the PC it would be in the realm of my fiancé Jackie to decide how to layout and display information on the screen, I imagine I'd write the interface though I'd be hacking my way through it. That slice of software remains the missing piece between our skill sets. I know that we both talk about wanting to learn it, we would be quite a team if we could meet in the middle. Me from the drivers up, and her from the screen down.
Currently I have the LCD screen driver, and the IR diode on, my immediate plan is to get the IR receiver working. I've discovered how difficult it is to work with embedded systems without the aid of meters and scopes. If I get serious about this hobby I should look into getting some tools.
