Ask Slashdot: Is There a Modern IP Webcam That Lets the User Control the Output?

First time accepted submitter Tronster writes Owners of a local shop have a menu that changes daily and wanted an IP webcam to update an image on their web-site. After a frustrating 2 hours of a "Hikvision" refusing to behave, I threw in the towel and looked for a better camera to recommend. The biggest issue today is that the new webcams that come out don't support FTP, they all support sending images/video direct to a "private cloud" (e.g., Simplicam, Dropcam, etc...). Google has been no help; all the sites are either outdated in terms of ranking or the most recent ones recommend a Foscam. They previously tried one of these and it's image quality was too poor. While security systems and home automation has been discussed recently, I haven't found any recent discussions on webcams that give a user control of where the content is sent. Does anyone in the Slashdot community have recommendations, reputable sites that are up-to-date in rankings, and/or hacks to have control over some of these newer cameras?

Comments

Really?

[jawtheshark]

First of all, why not simply upload a PDF with the new menu every day? That is easy, and scriptable. (For example, copy finished menu in any format in a folder. This folder is polled occasionaly for new content, if new content is there, eventually convert (doc, docx, odt to pdf), and upload to FTP server. Done.)

Second, you could just take a stock webcam, attach it to an RPi, let it make a picture, let's say every 15 minutes and upload it to the desired FTP server. 100% scriptable.

Personally, I think this idea is ripe for abuse. Somebody is going to draw penises on the menu and it will be there on the site for all to see. Overthink your workflow instead of doing this.

Re:Really?

[Anonymous Coward]

You do realize that they are talking probably about chalk-on-a-board menus right? I'm sure the poster would have been smart enough to upload a PDF if there was any to begin with.

Motion

[dargaud]

Use any webcam or USB connected camera and 'motion' a Linux FOSS tool that lets you program picture taking any which way you want.

Because

[koan]

You're looking for a "webcam", stop looking for a "webcam" and you will find what you want.

RasPi + Camera module

[Anonymous Coward]

I'd go with a Raspberry Pi (35$), either with a camera module or a no-infrared module; a small shell script will do, google for it!

Not webcam

[Livius]

I've seen restaurants use photos of the menu taken from a phone or even a serious camera, and it looks amateur. Webcam is unlikely to look better no matter what you do.

If this menu is done daily and looks professional in the restaurant, it should be professionally done on the website, such as a PDF. If the menu is just a chalk board that someone updates by hand, possibly several times a day, then a photo should be fine, but even then you should take a proper photograph from close up and upload it.

Please not PDF. A picture's not good either.

[jddj]

Restaurant sites are what usability pros show onscreen when they want to get a belly laugh from the audience.

The reason is that restaurants are focused on looks before usability. This leads them to use pictures of text, PDFs, and the hated Flash.

Those technologies range from poor to complete fail when it comes to searchability, mobile adaptability, accessibility, and ability to select and copy/paste text.

Please, use HTML text instead. It's not hard to format it beautifully with CSS, and you'll be helping patrons find you, paste the address into their contacts or GPS, share favorite stuff with friends, and get a dollar out of their hands and into yours.

Modern IP Webcams, anyone? Anyone??

[Futurepower(R)]

I came here to learn about Modern IP Webcams.

There is no need for a debate about how to run a restaurant.