Final Project

So, the time has come to apply all that I have learned thus far from my technical training in a final project. Most are opting to work in groups to complete their projects, but I will not be taking this route. Throughout my time in school, I have not been in a single group where all have contributed equally, in fact, I have carried several students through the last few classes I've taken with them. Most of the fresh high school grads just text on their cell phones and rely on copying everyone, while the older adult students always show up late (if at all) and use their offspring as reasons for their tardiness or absence. I'm done playing stupid games, and being the one to do all the work. I can do it alone if that's the way it's going to be.
I've decided to make a web controlled surveillance camera. The biggest concern for this project is going to be the interfacing between internet and hardware (the micro controller specifically) . The second biggest nightmare is going to be the coding for the micro controller and working out the communication links between the hardware devices. The idea is quite similar to this, but fortunately, I wont have to construct my micro controller like this guy. This brings up another concern of mine. I'm not sure if the PINK (Parallax Internet Netburner) will be able to communicate with the hardware we have used in our labs such as the ESOC (Cyclone II) board and eBlocks programmable board. Most companies out there make their components proprietary to their own specs, which makes developing your own projects a bitch. God bless the free enterprise system. Only our country could dissuade technological advances because a few don't want to conform to an open standard which all could embrace and build upon, but what do I know with my socialist ranting? And Linux/Unix is for communists too!
Anyways, instead of purchasing a camera that moves up and down, left and right like some upper end models of 'pan and scan' cameras, I will make mine very similar to the previous link I posted. This is where my electronic know-how will come into play. I've read that the step motors in old pc scanner/printers work well to control the direction of the camera. Programmable logic controllers will be used to send these instructions to a hardwired circuit (probably on a bread board) where the motors will work in conjuntion. Limit sensor/switches (which will also be controlled by PLC) will be used to contain the range of motion for the camera structure.
Hopefully the eBlocks programmable board can communicate with all other hardware devices because I would hate to have to code in a language that I am unfamiliar with. eBlocks uses a simple, turbo easy basic programming method that allows one to essentially make a flow chart, and compile it, where it is then interpreted and programmed to the chip. All other coding looks like absolute jibberish to me. The eBlocks programmable board may be used to interface the hand controller to the program that will send instruction over the internet to the PINK to another microcontroller to a PLC to the circuit to the camera. Something like that. . . Like I said, there are some kinks that need to be thought out and worked out.
This is all up in the air at this point because I may be overlooking the complexity of a project like this, but I feel that if the interfacing between the network/internet can be accomplished, then it should be a good project.
*In another note*
Andrea and I went out this past weekend and I had my first real experience with sushi (previously, I had a failed attempt with some poorly made, soggy store bought sushi) at Tank Sushi. It was delicious. I also finally got to see Slumdog Millionaire, and was highly impressed. The music from the film was excellent. See Andreas experience with Tank Sushi, her trip to Vegas, and Slumdog Millionaire below.