I've had my wiimote whiteboard up and running for a few weeks now, and I've been training and setting them up in other classrooms. Just thought I'd share.
I'm using the Java Wiimote Whiteboard for teachers. It's just a little bit easier software, and it shuts the wiimote off when you close it. I'm experimenting with Smoothboard, and I like it, but the UI is more complicated and (unless I missed something-which is possible) you have to remove the wiimote batteries.
Battery life for the wiimote and the IR pen is an issue to address right off the bat. You should include AA rechargeables in your initial costs, imho.
Still playing with mine. I've got it up and running consistently now but I am not at all happy with the accuracy. The screen writing just isn't coming across cleanly. I've tried the WiiMote in multiple positions and though it calibrates correctly the writing is a mess.
Maybe I got a weak IR pen or the lighting in my room is messed up, I dunno. I'm kinda bummed though because in the current state it is quite unusable for anything but showing off.
Questions I would ask:
1. How's your machine
2. How much sunlight are you getting (IR interferance)
3. How far away is the wiimote from the whiteboard
4. pen batteries (I noticed chopiness when one of my pens batteries were weak.
Try using the Java Wiimote Whiteboard which can be downloaded here.
I like Smoothboard but I find the Java Whiteboard software easier-so that's what I'm training the teachers on.
It depends greatly on the infrared component of the ambient light. Fluorescent lights (including compact fluorescent lamps that replace traditional bulbs) emit almost no infrared light, so you can use them freely around Wii Remote applications. Traditional incandescent bulbs emit some, but should be ok as long as the lamp itself (or reflections of it) isn't visible to the Wii Remote's sensor. Light from halogen lamps or sunlight can cause significant problems, because of the extremely intense infrared content
Sorry to hear you're having trouble. Could be the led. They are not all the same. I've been using my wiimote whiteboard for about a year now. I use it every day. I make my own pens now, too. To improve tracking I scuff up the tip of the led with a fine grit sandpaper. Be careful not to push on the tip too much. It could cause the connections to fail. Where did you buy your wiimote? I had some bad luck with a few I bought on ebay. Just get one from a local retail store. What program are you using to write on the screen? I have found three that are free and work well for me. Check out the section called Free Screen Overlay Downloads on the Teachers page of my website. mrholshoe.com I like Pointofix best because you can highlight. PowerPoint has writing tools also. What are you projecting on? white board? pull down screen? As another said, make sure it's not the battery in the pen. A friend of mine told me a pen she bought wasn't working. I switched out the battery and it worked fine. Let me know. I think I can help.