TimCam
Current version: 1.1.0, updated Nov. 15 '03
Download
All downloads and project-version information can be found on the sourceforge project page, here [sourceforge.net].
Introduction
TimCam is an easy-to-use webcam program written in (pure) Java. It was designed to mimic such fantastic projects as ConquerCam, but with an added bonus: TimCam is in the public domain. This means that the source-code is not only free for download, it is free to incorporate into other projects, modify and re-release; basically, whatever you want to do with it you can.
Features
- Can use any WebCam/device that JMF (see below) suports
- Nice little live-preview window
- Take single snapshots
- Take snapshots on a defined (in seconds) interval, and upload them to an FTP site
- FTP uploading is: passive (to avoid firewall problems!), and done using a temporary filename so that users don't see a garbled image during the upload
- Offline image support: when you stop the interval uploading, a user-specified offline image is uploaded
- Save/Load options for easy use
- GUI: Pretty, easy to use, intuitive
Requirements/Dependencies
- An operating system that has Java support: Microsoft Windows (all versions), Linux (all versions), Solaris, and many others
- The Java Media Framework (aka JMF) - see installation instructions for a link
- An internet connection (if using the interval upload feature)
Installation Instructions
- Install the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) - this is at bare minimum a Java Virtual Machine (JVM). No idea what i'm talking about? Then, go to here [java.sun.com] and download/install the Sun J2SE JRE.
- Install the Sun Java Media Framework (JMF), which you can find here [java.sun.com] -- make sure you get the version that is optimized for your operating system (ie. "windows performance pack" is for windows).
- Initialize the JMF. If FOO is where you installed the JMF, execute FOO\bin\jmfinit.exe -- this looks at the capture devices you have on your system, so make sure they are plugged-in/turned-on/installed-properly (including their drivers); next, run jmfregistry.exe from the same directory and make sure everything in there looks OK (see JMF's documentation for more help on this step).
- If you haven't already, download and unzip TimCam. This will create a directory like "TimCam-1.00". Note that this is the final (installed) directory, so, on Windows you might move this so that it becomes C:\PROGRAM FILES\TimCam1.00
- Read the DISCLAIMER (comes with TimCam)
- If you wish to recompile the Java source files, do so by editing make.sh [UNIX/Linux] or make.bat [Windows] and configuring the information at the top of the file -- then run it. THIS STEP IS OPTIONAL - ONLY DO IT IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING
- Edit timcam.sh [UNIX/Linux] or timcam.bat [Windows] and configure the information at the top of the file. If you are using UNIX/Linux, don't forget to chmod +x timcam.sh
- That's it! You should be able to run timcam.sh [UNIX/Linux] or timcam.bat [Windows].
Dude! It doesn't work!
Well first off, this is just a hobby, and there is no guaranteed support (see DISCLAIMER). But, I'm quite happy to spend a few moments to help you out over email. Drop me an email by writing to the following address (remove the word SPAMSUX): tdot@fuzzymunchSPAMSUXkin.com
Hey, I actually like/use this software!
Excellent! Please do as many of the following as you wish:
- Send me email telling me you use the software. The more email I get, the more I want to write software.
- Contribute to the project in some fashion: email me suggetsions, become a developer on the project, etc
- Support the P.I.Z.Z.A. fund, by contributing cash through paypal (or direct email, whichever you prefer):
Take a look at my main website, fuzzymunchkin.com
Hosting provided by the generous and venerable SourceForge: