PDA

View Full Version : Installing a WebCam


geosha
1-28-06, 10:05 PM
Hi
and I would like to install a web cam on my site

Nothing spectacular!!!
Our sites at PowWeb are Family Photo Albumns, so the only people who would look at this camera would be my wife, daughter and son
Way too ugly and wrinkly for general viewing!!!

I found this download ---
http://www.onlinecamera.com/java_viewer.htm

Would this be okay to use on a PowWeb site???
ie, would it work!!!

If not, are there any other suggestions???
There is just one criteria - it's got to be real easy to understand, install, use, etc
Not real "computer smart" here!!!

Or is this something I should just forget about, because they are more trouble than what they're worth???

Thanks in advance
Geoff

Croc Hunter
1-28-06, 10:24 PM
Can't see any reason why it wouldn't though their site is pretty vague. Doesn't even have a working example. Let us know if you get it working please.

geosha
1-29-06, 12:45 AM
Hi Croc Hunter
Thanks for the note

I have downloaded the file and opened it

I have changed the scrolling message - that was pretty easy!!!
......but now probably a pretty dumb question

How do I get it to "hook up", "link", (or whatever expression is used) to my web cam???

I have got absolutely no idea!!!

If you have the time, I wouldn't mind being "walked" through this installation
It doesn't matter if you don't though - it was simply something I wanted to try out

I noticed that you are also in Australia,
so I'll buy you a beer if you ever get to Cairns

Geoff

tgoode
1-29-06, 07:37 AM
go here and get this ya get a 30 day trial but its cheep and once ya figure out how to set it up (i dont read drections, i just jump in ) its easy and does it all .
http://www.pysoft.com

Croc Hunter
1-29-06, 07:51 AM
I don't know about that 'onlinecamera' website, it's very vague and not to helpful. What you need to do is take an image (snapshot) say every '20' seconds with your webcam and FTP it to your space here every '20' seconds. Then you set the webpage HTML meta tags to refresh every '20' seconds. Usually you use one program to both capture the image and FTP it. Fwink (http://lundie.ca/fwink/) is a free program that can do this. There's more here: http://www.hsinlin.com/software/webcams.html

Then use HTML tags in the HEAD section to make the web page calling your image auto reload after a period of time (in seconds eg: 20). The code for this is as follows:

<HEAD>
<META HTTP-EQUIV=REFRESH CONTENT="20">
</HEAD>

*note: If you have a dynamic IP you will probably need to reset your cam info each time you reconnect to the internet. Keep an eye on your bandwidth. I often get to Cairns, it's very pretty there.

geosha
1-29-06, 04:06 PM
First, thanks to those who replied

--- but I'm going to be a chicken!!!
And not install this web cam

It was only going to be a "fun thing" for my Wife and Family
Our web sites have about 30,000 Family photos, and it is all just simple links and photos
Nothing technical
--- and nothing ever goes wrong!!!

The web cam installation??? - well, I don't really understand it
--- plus I haven't got the knowledge to fix any hassles/problems there might be in the future

That all equals One Big Chicken!!!

Going back to the nest now

Thanks again
Geoff

YvetteKuhns
1-29-06, 04:20 PM
You can look for software that works for your web camera by visiting the manufacturer's website.

http://www.topshareware.com/guide/hot/web-cam.htm
There are free programs here, too. Compare and decide which you understand that does what you want and works with your operating system and web cam.

Croc Hunter
1-29-06, 10:24 PM
Give it a go Geoff it's very easy.

I just downloaded Fwink you won't need to change IP it's all automated. I filled in the FTP info and slapped up a very basic page and hey presto!. 18 minutes start to finish. Fwink have added some very cool features since I last looked at it.

Two tips:
1. For the FTP directory use a slash: /htdocs/webcam
2. I had to chmod the image to 755 just once

tgoode
1-30-06, 07:32 AM
Try what Croc suggested, as i see it your biggest problem may be just understanding what the program is asking from you and thats where we can help or at least Croc can as he just played with it (Fwink).
First time i played with my web cam i was "totally" lost and i put it up and didnt play with the cam for a long time then i said what-the-hell, i'll give it a go.
Next thing i know some of my bud's call when they see the pic on me on my web site (Ya he's home, i'll call him) or what ever...
Go on try it , it aint gona bite ya.