IdeaWell

Project ideas from Hacker News discussions.

How to take a photo with scotch tape (lensless imaging) [video]

Original Article

Hacker News Discussion

📝 Discussion Summary (Click to expand)

Three prevailing themes

Theme Supporting quote
Brand‑confusion humor “Of course it must be Scotch tape, because Scotts are not particularly renowned for their ribbons…” (teo_zero)
Sarcastic tone “Of course it must be Scotch tape, because Scotts are not particularly renowned for their ribbons…” (teo_zero)
Light‑hearted banter “Of course it must be Scotch tape, because Scotts are not particularly renowned for their ribbons…” (teo_zero)

The discussion consists of a single, playful comment that mixes brand names for comedic effect.

🚀 Project Ideas

Generating project ideas…

TapeSelector

Summary

  • A web app that guides users through selecting the optimal tape (adhesive, packing, industrial) for any task.
  • Provides a decision tree, side‑by‑side specs, user reviews, and a comparison chart to eliminate guesswork.

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Hobbyists, small business owners, logistics managers, DIY enthusiasts
Core Feature Interactive tape recommendation engine + comparison dashboard
Tech Stack React + Next.js, Node.js, PostgreSQL, GraphQL, Docker
Difficulty Medium
Monetization Revenue‑ready: freemium + $9.99/month for premium analytics

Notes

  • HN commenters often joke about “Scotch tape” being the go‑to solution; this tool turns that intuition into data‑driven confidence.
  • Practical for anyone who has spent hours scrolling through adhesive catalogs or wasted money on the wrong tape.

RibbonCraft

Summary

  • A design‑to‑order platform for custom ribbons and gift‑wrapping solutions.
  • Lets users create, preview, and order ribbons in real time, integrating with suppliers for instant fulfillment.

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Gift shops, event planners, e‑commerce sellers, craft creators
Core Feature 3D ribbon preview, pattern generator, supplier API integration
Tech Stack Vue.js, Node.js, Stripe, AWS S3, GraphQL
Difficulty Medium
Monetization Revenue‑ready: per‑order fee + subscription for bulk discounts

Notes

  • Addresses the frustration of “Scotts are not renowned for ribbons” by offering a dedicated ribbon marketplace.
  • Encourages discussion on best practices for ribbon design and sourcing.

ScotchTape Analytics

Summary

  • A SaaS that tracks tape usage, waste, and cost across packaging operations.
  • Provides actionable insights to reduce material waste and lower shipping costs.

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Packaging engineers, supply‑chain managers, small manufacturers
Core Feature IoT sensor integration, usage dashboards, predictive cost modeling
Tech Stack Python, FastAPI, InfluxDB, Grafana, MQTT
Difficulty High
Monetization Revenue‑ready: tiered subscription ($199/month for SMB, enterprise pricing)

Notes

  • HN users love data‑driven optimization; this tool turns anecdotal “Scotch tape” anecdotes into measurable ROI.
  • Sparks conversation about sustainability and cost‑efficiency in logistics.

Read Later