I've finally gotten around to setting up some PC hacks to free my Kinect from the shackles of everyday Xbox-life. Props to eroticfishcake for supplying me the link to a nice starting point for all of this. If anyone else is interested, here's that link:  http://openkinect.org/wiki/Main_Page
 
In order to set this all up, you need to have some form of compiler. I happen to have Microsoft's Visual Studio since I've previously taken classes that required it. Most of the instructions give examples for Visual Studio, so it's probably the easiest program to use. All other programs and files--of which there are many--are available through links on the installation instructions page. I did the set up to use in Windows, which actually seems more complicated than the setup for other operating systems, but I wasn't about to go try and find my Ubuntu install disc. Anyway, the process involves a bit of DOS work, a lot of file downloading and copying various files, pointing programs to the downloaded files, then compiling everything and testing. It's not super difficult to figure out if you're into computers; it just takes some time to feel everything out. If you're not that type of person, you should probably stay away. I decided to make a couple of videos showing off the very basic tech-demo programs that are given to you after setting everything up. There are three tests, and I have very little idea what any of them are actually meant to do. Well OK, I do know what one of them does. 
 
(Pro-tip: The volume on these is low. You may need to crank it up a bit.)

Tests 1 & 2: 

Test 3:

WHAT are those splotches of color dancing across the floor?! Kinect hacks are way over my head, but I hope you figure out how to do some cool shit, and let us know.

" WHAT are those splotches of color dancing across the floor?! Kinect hacks are way over my head, but I hope you figure out how to do some cool shit, and let us know. "

It would be cool if you could hack the Wii Remote and Kinect and somehow use them together. I'm not sure what it would be used for, but I would like to see it.

" @JJWeatherman: havre you seen the hack done by that european guy where he manages to use the kinect as some sort of 3D space navigator ? All this stuff is way over may head  "

I love this hack. The guy uses two Kinects, pretty cool.
 
  

" I love this hack. The guy uses two Kinects, pretty cool.
 
  

"

" @JJWeatherman: That skeleton video is really creepy. When setting all that up, is it easy to brick the Kinect or is that basically impossible? "

Jeez, that's pretty cool.

So when Microsoft releases that firmware update to the Kinect that doubles the resolution, do you think these hacks would become more effective? More so, those hacks that let you view the 3D area

" So when Microsoft releases that firmware update to the Kinect that doubles the resolution, do you think these hacks would become more effective? More so, those hacks that let you view the 3D area "

Cool stuff, man! I love the Cast Away picture you threw in there.
 
Haha, you're such a tease! I thought you unintentionally revealed yourself with your reflection on the computer screen, then I realized that was Brandon Roy, haha. That skeleton mod was pretty cool, though I wish we could have seen more than just the spine. Preferrably you know... some bones that actually MOVE.

Sing us a song, you're the piano man!
 
Yeah... you know you were thinking about Rock Band. That keyboard has INFECTED YOUR MIND.