3D scanning experiment

I've had this fun little experiment in my head for a short while now, and I decided to give it a go.

I've basically just improvised a crude 3D scanner.

Components used:
- Trust spotlight webcam (paid around 9,99€)
- Laser level square (was lying around in garage, price unknown, but didn't feel like getting the parts required to build diy line laser)
- David laserscanner software (free)
- Sheet of cardboard/foam plates at a 90° angle to keep calibration sheet in place.

Here's a single angle attempt at scanning so far:

 It's a scan of a little sculpt I did a few years ago.

Issues I have yet to properly resolve:
- The residues you see around the scan results. Can probably resolved through more controlled sweeping of the laser line and tweaking of the scanning corner.

Issues I have run across and found a solution for:
- Can't start camera error: under hardware setup, click the camera format button, and set up the format. The camera should start up now.
- Calibration issues: Place the camera close enough to the scanning corner, make sure enough of the markers are in frame, use a flashlight/lamp to illuminate the scanning corner and tweak the cam properties (contrast and brightness specifically)
- Laser not detected: Change the cam properties, again tweak contrast and brightness.



Software can be downloaded at: http://www.david-laserscanner.com/

Windows 8, just had the displeasure of getting acquainted with it.

Alright, just went to buy a new laptop for my family to use, and it came with windows 8 pre-installed.

After getting a good look at the new metro UI, I pretty much came to the following conclusion.
This is not a bad smartphone interface, now what the hell is it doing on a laptop?

For me, microsoft products always had the practical, customizable aspect going for them, a practical workstation layout that is still workable when cluttered with links and programs.
I dare say that this approach flew out the window. (bad pun, I know.)

This new layout seems to have been made for people with attention deficit disorders, while completely neglecting the standing fanbase/clientele.
It would have been great/polite to include the option to revert to basic layout, but the pompous pricks kind designers who made windows 8 were too sure of their new system to include this option, despite the clear criticism on test versions.
Luckily a third party adressed this issue and designed the Classic shell program to provide a decent windows UI, and so far it is working quite well.

I'd like to point out that, even as a smartphone UI, android still seems to beat windows 8 by several miles, at least according to my humble opinion.

I feel that we, as customers, need to make a statement here.
When buying a new computer, AND when given the option, stick with windows 7, as it works well, it's practical, it's stable and your brand new laptop doesn't feel like a bloody smartphone.
Microsoft seems to have learned nothing from vista.