| Setting up a WebCam ...
|
|
1. You must have access to a site that allows FTP upload. This excludes some of the 'web-based' (Free) sites such as http://www.verica.com and similar sites that only allow file upload via a browser. Generally you will have to pay for a suitable site, either through an ISP, or a Domain Name provider such as http://www.directnic.com Purchasing a suitable domain name can be much cheaper than you would expect. Directnic, for example, charges only $US15 per year! They even provide free site "hosting". The only 'cost' for hosting is the presence of their advertising, as at the top and bottom of this page.
2. You will need software that is able to capture images from a camera and then automatically upload them to your site. One example is "WebCam32" from http://www.surveyorcorp.com/ . You can also use "ISpy" from the same company.
| New
2003 - A new software package
"Easy Free Web Cam" has been released by: http://www.easyfreewebcam.com
I am so impressed, I have purchased a license!
NOTE: The easyfreewebcam site is an 'adult' site. The software is good, but some of the links from the Site are not suitable for children. The home page itself is OK. |
3. You will need a camera able to interface with the software. Generally this means any camera that can be used to capture 'moving' pictures, either via USB, or a Video Capture card. Typical examples can be found at: http://www.logitech.com and http://www.lifeview.com/products.htm
Pretty terrible isn't it? The problem is that the "Update" button refreshes the WHOLE page. The effect is actually worse than if you had pressed the browser "Refresh" button.
The 'flicking' effect resulting from the Update button approach can be reduced if you have only the image on a dedicated page like this .... webcam2.htm
Automatic Picture Update?
You can download a FREE Java applet to automatically update your WebCam picture. The problem is, your web site may not allow the Java applet to work. Sites that re-direct your domain name may cause you problems. The alternative is to use a JavaScript "Update" button as below.
If you want to try the Java applet see: http://www.surveyorcorp.com/support/webcam32help/java.html or do a Web search for: "JavaCam.class" or "JavaCam.zip"
Click here to see how your WebCam will behave if you are able to use the JavaCam applet on your web site .... webcam3.htm
|
Using JavaScript WebCam .... Thanks to the fine people at http://www.irt.org/ and several hours of experimentation, I finally found the technique for automatically updating the WebCam image using JavaScript. The end result is the same as using JavaCam.class, but without the problems. To view the JavaScript WebCam page go here .... webcam4.htm |
Examples of Worldwide Web Cams .... 
click here
Some Privacy Issues for Schools
The general guide for using student images on the Web should be that individuals cannot be identified. Consider the worse case scenario where a court order has been issued protecting the anonymity of the student. By publishing a recognisable image on a WebCam it could be possible to breach the order.
WebCam images therefore need to be of sufficiently low resolution to protect the individual. Generally this means placing the camera itself some distance from where individual students may be in the frame. In most WebCam installations this is not a problem. The issue is often how to increase the detail, rather than the opposite. It is something to keep in mind when selecting the camera location.
