Cisco Wireless WVC80N: security cam on the cheap

Posted on February 1st, 2011 by craighope

Quick review: The camera hardware is pretty good.  The image is good quality.  The software is not very good, but with a little work you can cobble something workable together.  This camera does not pan or tilt and requires a power source (duh).

I recently purchased a wireless webcam from BestBuy to setup at home for a security camera.  Something like this can be used for monitoring pets, or just watching something around the location.

Pre-requisites:
- Fairly technical understanding of home networking.
- A wireless router or another wireless home network.

1. Setup the Cisco WVC80N according to the install disk that comes with product.  This was pretty straight forward and will get it connected on your internal network and will have an internal IP addrss (192.168.x.x).  The camera has it’s own web server and you connect to the IP address and configure more settings.

2. Install the Linksys viewer software that comes with the product.  It is not the best software but it will allow you to view the camera broadcast.  My biggest complaint with the included software is how you have to switch screens or restart the application when the image freezes.

3. Dynamic DNS setup: Use a DDNS system to connect and external URL to your camera.  The product has a link into the TZO vendor but I used DynDNS.org and it works fine.  The URL points to the public IP of your router at home.  (note: if your router is locked down, you will need to allow the port number through the router to the camera)

That’s the basics for viewing the camera broadcast/feed.  If you want to record or view on your smart phone you can do a few more things.  These are not steps included with the product but I figured I would share since I figure most people would want this capability.

1. Droid App:   Go to the Adroid market and install “IP Cam View”.   The config is straight forward.  You can view your video feed from anywhere.  You point the feed to your external URL.  Pretty simple and the image looks pretty good on the phone.

2. Recording:  the built-in recording options that come with the camera are not very stable.  I didn’t have the patience to work with the settings so I set out to find an alternative.  You can download Cisco video monitoring software from their website.  SWVMS16 is a downloadable Video monitoring System.  It’s free for 1 camera.  For more cameras, you have to buy a license.  The installation is a fairly large footprint on the PC but it is a much better software tool that what came with the camera.

Motion Detection:  I tweaked the settings on the camera to the highest quality and got a pretty image feed.  I enabled motion detection to grab images and FTP them to my website.  This gives me an offsite storage of the images.  My cameras point at my front and back doors.  If someone were to break in to an empty house, they would do their damage but they would be caught with a series of images that are uploaded and viewable later.

Usage: (traffic cams)

Added note about IP Cam View Android Application:  If your town has traffic cameras around the city, you can add those to the droid app.  Manage cameras and choose “Add IP”.  Give it a name, I chose “open source” for the camera type and in the URL field I grabbed the URL from the camera image on the website (in my case, this was from KCScout.com).  The URL is very long and I had to email it to myself then cut/paste on the phone.  For my use, I entered a couple stretches of highway I would normally use for my commutes.  It’s like an on demand traffic report.

OMG This made me cry…

Posted on January 4th, 2011 by craighope

Zoom Zoom

Did that get your attention?  You probably should not have opened it.  It coulda been a virus.

Actually, my point is this…  We see the above subject line on Facebook (wall posts from friends) all the time.  It is an indication that the PC it came from probably has a virus or some sort of malware doing its nasty deeds.

I wanted to post a some quick fix things you can do to your PC to get it running satisfactorily again.

1. Restore the PC back to factory default.  This means plunking that original restore CD in the drive and restoring it to how it was the day you brought it home from the hospital… nerd store.   This is a bit drastic and could end up being a pain in the ass re-installing applications.  You could also lose things you long forgot about. First, Backup your data, know what you have installed, write down any serial numbers for software etc.  You should do this anyway for future reference.  Restoring is NOT my first choice but I figured I would list it first.

If you don’t restore, you can perform these steps below to help speed things up.

- BE SURE YOU HAVE anti-virus and spyware software installed, updated and working.  This is critical.  You need to defend your PC.  You don’t have to spend a ton of money either.  You can buy Norton, or McAfee if you want.  I prefer to stay away from these commercial versions because they install a large footprint on your PC and can be a resource hog themselves.  Checkout AVG or Microsoft for free versions.

-  Cleanup applications, utilities, etc that might be running in memory. Start by going through your Add/Remove programs and uninstall anything you no longer use or don’t recognize.  If you don’t fully know what it is, google it and educate yourself before uninstalling it.  You will find a bunch of apps and applets that install themselves either without you knowing or when you are online and click through weird web pages.  Yahoo Toolbars, Google Toolbars are the most common.  Unless you really love them, remove them.  Pop up windows are to blame for much of these unwanted apps.  You click the window, it installs a troublesome app.

- check the Run key in the registry (HKLM | Software | Microsoft | Windows | CurrentVersion | Run) and remove any keys you see unnecessary.  Be careful though.  Some of these items are necessary (mouse, anti virus, etc).  Again, google it and educate yourself.  This Run key is what executes when you boot your PC.  Often times a malware applet will stick itself here and with each boot up, the application runs in memory and slowing down the PC.  Might also check the Runonce key too.   As my friend James pointed out, you can also use MSCONFIG (in the Start |Run line type “msconfig”).  It is like using regedit for the items above with training wheels.  But I’m old school sometimes.

- The Startup folder. This is where applications will load upon boot (after the run key).  Click Start, All Programs, Startup.  If you see anything odd, remove it.  This is a bit easier since the GUI might show you the recognizable icon of the application.  HP likes to toss their piggy printer tools in this startup folder.

- Add more RAM (memory). This might be a higher ranked item, but unless you remove crap that runs in memory, adding RAM only masks the problem.  Memory is cheap.  You can buy it online.  Do your homework and find what your machine needs.  See Kingston’s website or the site for your PC manufacturer (more expensive).

- I will say this again.  BACKUP your Data. You don’t want to lose your pictures, music, or Kim Kardashian videos.  I started using carbonite.  Its in the cloud (thus off site and safe from fire).  Its off my potentially faulty hardware.  Here is my experience…

Resolution Season: Weight Loss?

Posted on January 1st, 2011 by craighope

Burn it off...

Most everyone has quit smoking by now.  If not, you probably won’t and you enjoy being isolated from the world in your home slowly killing yourself because you can’t smoke in public or on your work property.

Weight Loss is the obvious choice.  Your vanity has awakened today.  This is the wake up call for those who have Mexican getaways planned or are thinking ahead to Spring Break.

Be realistic about weight loss. Take is slow. Don’t rely on a pill, a piece of machinery, a gimick program.  It’s all on YOU.  Only YOU can do it.  Don’t be hindered by yourself.  Like all the ad campaigns say, “Just do it”.  ”Let’s Move”.

Losing weight requires motivation to exercise more and discipline (willpower) to consume less.  Keeping the weight off requires the same thing over the long haul for lasting results.  Eating right doesn’t mean you can’t ever eat a twinkie again.  It only means you can’t have one for the next 12 weeks.  However, in the long term you can indulge from time to time.  The simple truth is to not indulge all the time.  Understand your lifestyle and maintain a good balance of eating and exercise.  Calories in, calories out.  By the way, today is the last day to eat cornbread until about April.

TV Diets: quick thought on these…  These can work but they can be expensive and all they do is restrict your calories.  They are not realistic long term.  When you are off the plan, you have not fully learned the skills to eat your own prepared foods.  You need to learn to do things for yourself (teach a man to fish… blah blah blah).  DVD programs can work too but many are far too intense for the beginner.  Again… be realistic.

Exercise: Don’t have the time?  Bull crap! You CAN make time for it.  Just get up and walk.  Get up and do some lunges.  Watch TV and do planks on the floor.  It’s that simple.

I have fallen into this trap where you think you have to “prepare” for working out.  You can actually come home from work and do some things (assuming you are not wearing a 3 piece suit).  As long as you have comfortable clothes, you can do squats or pushups, or situps.  You get the point.  Just do it.  But don’t over do it at first.  Ease into it and you WILL feel better.

Eating Right:  There are some basic principles that you need to understand to cut the empty calories from your diet.  This is not forever, but in the short term you should start following these things.

- no bread, sugar, or pasta.  Eliminate them at first and ease into them later but not reverting back to bad habits.

- no fries, eat potatoes only baked and sparingly.  Eating out is easier now.  You don’t get dirty looks when you substitute the fries with a side salad or steamed vegetables (I don’t like the term “veggies” by the way.)

- Eat meals using utensils.  This does not mean eating a Snickers Bar with knife and fork.  I think you understand what this means.  Avoid sandwiches, burgers etc.

- Hungry?  Drink some water and eat a palm full of almonds or nuts.  A palm full, not a bowl.  A hunger tweak is often times a signal of thirst.  Fill the stomach with no calorie water.  Side note: you will burn more calories making extra trips walking to the bathroom to pee.

Focus on entrees of Chicken and lean meats.  Eat more vegetables.  I have some tasty ideas here on this website.

Harsh Reality:  No more deserts. This is probably the biggest mental block that people have.  If you have to trick yourself, go buy the sugar free pudding mixes that you add skim milk too and mix it up and have it handy in the fridge.

For great cooking ideas, get to the book store and hunt for cookbooks.  There are a ton.  You can even find good crock pot ideas for the families with sports and after school stuff going on.  My wife and I have many good crock pot recipes that work well for busy families.

Today is the beginning.  This time next year you will be 20 lbs lighter and feel great. Minus the vodka hangover (when you get into serious eating right you will understand the Vodka thing).

Good droid apps

Posted on December 30th, 2010 by craighope

As of this post, I have had my droid phone 2 months.  Love it!  It is as fun and usable as an iPod.  Take that Apple.  You are no longer the hottest chick on the block.

Here are some apps I use and enjoy…

1.  WordPress.  I am using it now for this post whilst walking on my treadmill.   It offers quick and easy posts.   You can take pics while posting.

2.  Evernote.  Great note taking.  Lists etc.  Syncs with pc or ipod devices.  Integrates with voice record too.

3.  JuiceDefender.  Helps save battery.  Many apps of this kind.  If you know of any better, please share.

4.  Tweetdeck.  There are tons of twitter client apps.  This one is easy and integrates with facebook, Buzz etc.

5.  Keyring.  Input all of your discount plastic dongle things so you don’t have to lug them around.  Note:  my screen protector sheet inhibits the store scanners.

6.  Mint.com.  this is an extension of the free online service.  Centralize the reporting of all your banking and investments.

7.  GroceryIQ.  Great for listing out your household grocery items.  Share your list with others.  My wife and keep this updated and whomever is at the store can grab the items.

Tags: droid apps

How I got my kid to clean his room…

Posted on December 6th, 2010 by craighope

My kids have a disaster area of a room. My wife and I don’t care really. It’s their space, they can live in clutter all they want. I did get slightly pissed the other day when I stepped on something in the dark. It probably broke, but I didn’t take the time to investigate.

I challenged the boy to clean his room with a huge incentive. $20 was on the line. But he had to clean it up like an Army barracks. Nothing out of place, nothing on the floor, etc. If he claimed completion and I inspected the work to find something amiss, I took off $3.

I used the same incentive plan that you sometimes hear about with highway/bridge projects.  It works.

He could ask questions (like… “where does the -such-n-such-need to go”). He ended up spending about 1 and a half hours going through that room.  He put away toys and gadgets, he hung up clothes, he piled the dirty clothes where they normally go.  He even vacuumed.

Upon final inspection, it was tip top shape and he earned the $20.  Now the interesting part will be how he spends it.

Thinsulate guide

Posted on November 12th, 2010 by craighope

This is a note to self, but what the heck… I will share it.

When hunting or doing other cold weather activities, what is the best boot and thinsulate rating to wear?

I always prefer waterproof.  They make a good all around boot.

• Uninsulated to 200 grams: Not good for cold weather – these are spring-to-fall boots.
• 400 – 800 grams: Best weight for high activity in cold weather or less activity in semi-cold weather.  Hiking, and other active outdoor activities.
• 1000 – 2000 grams: The best for frigid, mid-winter weather or many hours sitting motionless.  Sitting in a deer stand, your feet don’t need to be cold.

I am turning 40

Posted on November 2nd, 2010 by craighope

Today is my “Gundy day”.  I’M A MAN!  I’M 40!

Being 40 is not the dark day that many before me have indicated.  I feel good.  I guess my prostrate is supposed to get bigger but don’t feel any different thus far.

There are mornings that feel a bit like a “morning after” but in reality there was never a “night before”.

I enjoy a quiet 5:30am and it feels normal.  At 20, I didn’t know there were 2 “5:30′s”.

The Hostess at Chili’s calls me “sir”.

Misuse of Technology… silly kids

Posted on October 29th, 2010 by craighope

Do you have pager service in your hotel?

My almost 17 year old nephew communicates almost solely via text messages (unless physically near you).  But then you can be in the same house and he will text instead of climbing stairs.

I digress….  He texted me an item he wants for his birthday.  It’s a audio component for his car, but that’s not important.  I open the text.  It has an attached picture.  I open the picture.  The picture was of a webpage displaying the item.

The dork used his phone to take a picture to then text it to me.

The more prudent method would be to forward the link via email.

The children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way.

My Carbonite Experience

Posted on October 26th, 2010 by craighope

Lost my data, get Carbonite

December Update: I am very satisfied with Carbonite thus far.  The backup was a bit slow but I attribute that to me being cheap with regard to my Internet service (next to lowest bandwidth option through Time Warner).

The interface for managing the backup of files is simple and easy.  Your Windows explorer will display a small dot on the folder and file icons.  Green meaning backed up.  Orange indicating not yet backed up.  The “InfoCenter” is not complicated and displays a progress bar indicating the overall status/progress.  I scheduled my backups to run overnight.

The Holidays mean more pictures and videos and I find myself transferring my photos to the hard drive and then checking Carbonite to be sure they get backed up.

THIS IS A NO BRAINER!!!! Sign up and get your data backed up in the cloud.

(Previous Post) October: I finally decided to signup for an online backup solution.  Until now, I have kept all my data scattered about on a couple home computers and mostly on an external hard drive.

Well… the hard drive crashed.  Stopped spinning.  Disaster strikes.  The good news is that I can pull together the data from the various sources and collect on my drive.

Once that is done, I going to start backing the data up with Carbonite.

My Experience:  The signup and install is easy.  Out of the box, Carbonite only backs up your c: drive.  It does NOT backup any external drives.  However, you can perform steps to mount a drive and then select the folder you want to backup.  For example, I put my files on f:\mydata, then I opened disk management and “added a mounted drive” to my newly created c:\myexternaldata folder.  See this Microsoft article (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307889).