Webmaster’s Dream Cam

[GWC...]

How’s the Webmaster’s Dream Cam progressing?

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by GWC...

How’s the Webmaster’s Dream Cam progressing?

The new camera and hardware have been ordered and should arrive in the next few days. I mentioned last fall that the camera could not be installed until spring. That means late April or May when the pier is open and I can work comfortably and safely on the roof.

Until then I plan to do some experimenting with the new camera. It can run in many different modes (on a network, stand-alone w/modem, hooked to a computer, still, streaming, etc.) and I'm going to have to see what is best (and possible) for this installation.

I'm also giving some thought to using the new camera in a different location and leaving the Weirscam as is. With the new camera capable of running in a stand alone mode with a modem I could put it anywhere that I can plug in to power and a phone line or DSL/Cable connection. It's just a thought at this point since a good location and willing host may be hard to find.

I'd welcome any thoughts or opinions on putting the new camera in a different location, especially from anyone who donated to the camera fund. Would you mind if the camera was used at a different location on the lake?

Click here for examples of the quality I'm hoping to get with the new camera.

[webmaster]

Just to tease a bit more: I ordered the new camera with the Weather Station option that will superimpose the actual temperature and relative humidity on the camera image.

[mcdude]

Don:
The clarity of those images is really impressive! Do you think this cam will be able to get palm trees too? If my house were on the big lake, I'd be the first to volunteer host the cam! I say put the cam wherever you like. There already are three or so cams at the Weirs as it is. There is good cam coverage from Wolfeboro, Gilford and from our Island Friends! Maybe coverage from Center Harbor, Meredith or Alton Bay would round things out a bit ?? ....and GOOD LUCK! Can't wait to see it! McD

[upthesaukee]

My thought...put the new camera at the Weirs, and perhaps find a place to put the "old" unit in Merideth, Center Harbor, Alton Bay (Gillen Marine's building, looking up the bay toward Sandy Point).

[GWC...]

Originally Posted by mcdude

I say put the cam wherever you like.

McDude has the right idea.

Although, how about Mrs. Webmaster? Does she have a favorite potential location?

She has shared you with this Website and its members and that should warrant some input.

P.S. - Thanks for the update and the teaser info.

[Island Girl]

My opinion would be to keep it at the Weirs. It would be nice if you could find a location with high speed access. The nice part about the current location is the unobstructed view of a large area.

Maybe someone in Alton Bay will let you host your old, trusty cam.. Sandy Point, Shibleys, Gillan Marine?????

Any other ports would be nice... how about Wolfeboro? Brewster Academy towards the town docks??

So many places so few cameras!

Any help you need to set up just give a holler. Come for a weekend.

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

put the new camera at the Weirs, and perhaps find a place to put the "old" unit

Whoa, that would double my installation work. The new setup at the Weirs will be a big job as it is. The idea of using the new camera at a different location is based on the fact that the new camera does not require a computer and could run by itself. The old (current) camera needs a dedicated computer and additional hardware.

Putting the new camera somewhere else was just a thought and is unlikely unless a perfect location and situation becomes available. The Weirs location is great and the new high resolution picture should be the best available on the Lake.

I'll post some updates as I make progress. I'll also post some sample pictures when I get the camera running here at home, although they will be of my back yard.

[Island Girl]

... don't worry. We don't want you to work too hard. You do enough. Funny but I get emails suggesting all the places I could put a cam!

Again, the offer to help stands.

[upthesaukee]

sorry Don...Do you really have other things to do in life????? Seriously, do let us know what we can do to help when you do come up. We'd be glad to help.

[Pepper]

Don, Waldo and I would like to offer you a place on top of our cupolo, or on top of the Cessna. The view of all the Weirs from up there is pretty impressive. If you're interested, the invitation is always open. We can offer you a safe dry location with year-round access to your equipment.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

It really is a shame that WMUR’s Meredith cam is not publicly accessible. I e-mailed them, but never heard back.
I also sent an e-mail to Church Landing about them hosting a webcam. I pointed out what great publicity it would offer their business and the surrounding area. My inquiry seems to have fallen on deaf ears. The person whom responded wasn’t interested.
Alton Bay (Once called Merrymeeting Bay) sounds like a great location.
How about a mobile one on the Mount!?

[GWC...]

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

How about a mobile one on the Mount!?

She would have to drag a very long cable behind her, it we desired to view the image without being onboard.

The baud rate is not sufficient for wireless transmission.

[trfour]

We trust in you. " What a camera! "

Just an idea... Mount it some where near Weirs Bridge high on a turret, so as to enable both a north and south view of the channel. This could help deter the ( yes wakers ) , and at the end of the day, when boat traffic slows, you could pan over to the Weirs Drive In, put the camera on stream, and we could watch a movie!

Remember, Weirscam has been a staple here, for many years and could be left in place saving relocation, maybe this new camera could create a better vantage point from here.......

No matter, don't feel in a rush Don, we are all behind you!

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by GWC...

She would have to drag a very long cable behind her, it we desired to view the image without being onboard.

The baud rate is not sufficient for wireless transmission.

... we'll have 802.16e (aka WiMax) over the lake. Then you'll have broadband everywhere, anytime. At least if you believe Intel. Mebbe by then we'll have cell phones that work in Alton Bay too ... naaah

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/wimax.htm

[GWC...]

Interesting info, especially the last part:

WiFi-style access will be limited to a 4-to-6 mile radius (perhaps 25 square miles or 65 square km of coverage, which is similar in range to a cell-phone zone). Through the stronger line-of-sight antennas, the WiMAX transmitting station would send data to WiMAX-enabled computers or routers set up within the transmitter's 30-mile radius (3,600 square miles or 9,300 square km of coverage). This is what allows WiMAX to achieve its maximum range.

The biggest difference isn't speed; it's distance. WiMAX outdistances WiFi by miles. WiFi's range is about 100 feet (30 m). WiMAX will blanket a radius of 30 miles (50 km) with wireless access. The increased range is due to the frequencies used and the power of the transmitter. Of course, at that distance, terrain, weather and large buildings will act to reduce the maximum range in some circumstances, but the potential is there to cover huge tracts of land.

The cost for this service could be much lower than current high-speed Internet-subscription fees because the provider never had to run cables.

This begs the query: Why are companies spending money to replace copper cable with fiber optical cable if this medium is so close to reality?

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by GWC...

Interesting info, especially the last part:...


...This begs the query: Why are companies spending money to replace copper cable with fiber optical cable if this medium is so close to reality?

One answer may lie in the problem that faces Cellular Service...Every town around the lake will agree that the service is over all poor, and what is needed with the current technology is more towers...but not in our town!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With as much hoopla that develops over cell towers, think of the controversy that will arise from having WiMax antennas on the highest points of land (for best coverage and widest terrain-interference coverage) and the cost of running the landlines up to those towers and the problems associated with it like landowners who do not want the cables crossing their property, groups that will not want the trees cut and forests disturbed to allow the cables to go up the hill, etc..

If we see that service, I think it will be pretty much limited to urban and suburban areas, and highly subscripted at that (ie, Mucho Dinero!!!!).

Just my thought.

[GWC...]

Originally Posted by webmaster

Just to tease a bit more: I ordered the new camera with the Weather Station option that will superimpose the actual temperature and relative humidity on the camera image.

Will it look something like this or this or this?

[RI Swamp Yankee]

Maybe the "old" cam could be turned to face the boardwalk and the "new" one face where the old one does now. ? That would give quite a view of the mid June event without having to be there.

[BroadHopper]

How about asking Cynthia if you can install it at the beach bar? The view there is pretty impresive......