[ale] Paranoia (was Re: [ale] OT: pc cameras and linux)

[John Wells]

lol.  Joe, my plan is to take away every argument my employer comes up
with to say no to telecommuting.  I don't expect the whole camera thing
to last, but it was one the things "they" mentioned in a meeting we held
about it.  They're concerned about certain employees not working when at
home.  I would tell them that those same employees don't do anything at
*work* either, but they'll find out eventually ;-)

John




On Thu, 2002-08-15 at 23:38, Joseph A Knapka wrote:
> John Wells wrote:
> > 
> > Since the MSACS at KSU is pretty close to fully web-based, I need a web
> > cam that can do color video at a reasonable price.  This just gives the
> > professors a way to see my expressions of wonder and confusion. I'm also
> > trying to turn my employer on to telecommuting, and one of the
> > trust-builders I've offered is to tune a web cam on me while at work.
> > Paranoia is rampant -- "If I can't see you, you're not working damnit!"
> > ;).
> 
> Ugh. I just can't understand that attitude, especially for
> software-type jobs. If I sat staring at a CRT eight solid
> hours a day, I would go completely insane. If I can't understand
> why the code isn't working, I don't sit there typing madly at
> it in an attempt to emulate the hundred monkeys - I might go for
> a walk and think it over, or whatever. Doesn't mean I'm
> failing to "add value". IMO one of the major advantages of
> telecommuting for employers and employees alike is that
> lower stress levels (from not having to deal with rush hour,
> not having people looking over your shoulder all the time,
> etc) can make a person *more* productive.
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> -- Joe
> 
> > Which mustek camera do you have?  Do you *have* to use a capture card
> > with it?  They list a usb cam on their site.
> > 
> > Thanks!
> > John
> > 
> > On Thu, 2002-08-15 at 21:18, Geoffrey wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > John Wells wrote:
> > > > Can anyone recommend a good, cheap pc camera that works under linux?
> > >
> > > You might need to define pc camera.  I've got a couple set up.
> > >
> > > I've got   a pci captivator capture card, has rca input. I've got a
> > > mustek color camera on it, works great.  I got the card for about $20
> > > and the camera for about $20.  I've got two of these cameras, the second
> > > is connected to the s-video on my wintv card.  Works very well as well.
> > >   Works meaning I can capture stills just find and motion is fluid when
> > > viewed under X.
> > >
> > > I've also got a b/w motorola camera that I've used with the above
> > > capture cards.  The image is a bit grainy, but it's designed for
> > > security type stuff, and has a very nice 60' cable.
> > >
> > > All three of the above cameras have audio as well, but I've never taken
> > > advantage of it or even tried using it.
> > >
> > > I've also got a Logitech express which is usb.  It works, but the image
> > > is limited to two resolutions.  Motion is poor, I don't know what the
> > > fps is but it's poor.  Capture works okay, but the images are not that
> > > good.  With this driver loaded it hits the cpu for about 80%.
> > >
> > > The capture cards and cameras noted above have virtually no impact on
> > > the cpu.  I have run motion, which is a motion detecting software with
> > > my capture card/camera setups and it works very well.  It's quite cpu
> > > intensive as well.
> > >
> > > >
> > > > Thanks!
> > > >
> > > > John
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ---
> > > > This message has been sent through the ALE general discussion list.
> > > > See http://www.ale.org/mailing-lists.shtml for more info. Problems should be
> > > > sent to listmaster at ale dot org.
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Until later: Geoffrey         esoteric at 3times25.net
> > >
> > > I didn't have to buy my radio from a specific company to listen
> > > to FM, why doesn't that apply to the Internet (anymore...)?
> > >
> > 
> > ---
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> 
> -- 
>  "I'd rather chew my leg off than maintain Java code, which
>  sucks, 'cause I have a lot of Java code to maintain and the
>  leg surgery is starting to get expensive." - J. Knapka
> 
> ---
> This message has been sent through the ALE general discussion list.
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> sent to listmaster at ale dot org.
> 



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