I am setting up this page just as information placeholders for educators and other folks interested in using the Mac as an el cheapo smartboard. As the software/hardware needed to do the job seem to be all over the web, I thought that my educators might wish to have all the links and information in one location.

It is important to note that I am NOT the developer of the software, nor the clever people who figured things out. I am merely gathering information as I experiment and putting them here for everyone’s convenience.

What you need to make things work:

1. 1.  Any current Mac with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, and preferably with built-in bluetooth
   

2. 2.A standard-issue, plain-jane Nintendo Wii remote control (just the remote; the console is for you to play on AFTER the class :-) )
   

3. 3.An infrared pen
   

4. 4.wiimote-whiteboard software available here
   

5. 5.Any software for drawing on screen. I use DeskDoodle myself.
   

Steps:

1. 1.Position the wiimote with the infra-red filter facing the screen, preferably at an angle of approximately 45 degrees.
   

2. 2.Download the software mentioned above and run it on the Mac
   

3. 3.Press the ‘1’ and ‘2’ buttons on the wiimote simultaneously. The 4 lights near the bottom of the wiimote will blink for a while
   

4. 4.You will see the software recognize the wiimote after several seconds - if not, press the buttons on the wiimote again
   

5. 5.Once the software recognizes the wiimote (the battery level will change), you should calibrate the screen.
   

IMPORTANT DOs and DON’Ts

1. 1.DO NOT use the Mac’s bluetooth pairing functions to pair with the wiimote. Let the wiimote-whiteboard software do its job.
   

2. 2.Do experiment with the position of the wiimote. Remember that it is used here as a camera, and it has a viewing angle of about 45 degrees.
   

3. 3.I find myself putting the wiimote to the left (as you face the screen) of the screen. This is because I am right-handed, and it becomes easier for the wiimote to see the infrared light if it is on the left, and I am using the infrared light in my right hand to draw on the screen
   

4. 4. If the software does not recognize the wiimote, make sure your wiimote is in the pairing mode (bottom lights blinking). If not, press buttons 1 and 2 again.
   

Doing this on a Windows machine:

Many of the steps above are valid for a windows machine. However, be aware that many users are experiencing trouble with bluetooth drivers; not all work properly with the wiimotes. Check forums or google for more information on which drivers/bluetooth dongles are compatible. I am too lazy to use windows :-)