Computer Geeks Wanted

[Tubingluvr]

Need Help setting up web cam in Linux.
My son lives out in Wyoming and I live in Michigan.
He can't be home for christmas due to just starting a new job, so I bought a couple webcams (Logitech C500) so he can be with us at christmas.
I am running Linux and he is running Windows.
Any help would be great.

 

[i386]

Re: Computer Geeks Wanted

Which Linux distribution?

 

[ThumbPkr]

Re: Computer Geeks Wanted

I have not had much trouble with the Mandrake/Mandriva distro,more problems finding software that could use it.That was back a few years ago now.I never did get Linux to recognize and run a scanner reliably though.Once I got it to work it would forget everything I configured on the reboot.I have tried SCSI,Parallel and USB scanners and have concluded that I just don't have the time to deal with it.I do enjoy playing with Linux and the new distros have been polished to a great degree no doubt but for the time being I just use it for data recovery.Ron G

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Computer Geeks Wanted

I tried Unbuntu Linux for awhile and gave up on it. I just don't have the time to fight with it all of the time, trying to get stuff that will run easily on a Windows platform, to run on it.

There are a couple of utilities that allow use of Windows based software on the Linux platform. One is called Wine and the other is called Crossover. Crossover is supposedly easier to use, but it is not without its share of problems. The first one that you will run into, is the need to load a kernal that will recognze long file names.

Unless you plan on spending a lot of time learning how to tweak Linux, my best advice is to spend the money on one of the Win versions. Try surfing places like Amazon, B&H Photo, etc, for software. Often times, you can buy an Original Equipment Manufacturer copy of XP Home for about $90.



*??

 

[Tubingluvr]

Re: Computer Geeks Wanted

Sorry i386 i am running ubuntu , I think I may have figured it out.
Looks like pidgin might work, I am waiting for my son to download pidgin and then we will give it a shot.

 

[jlinder]

Re: Computer Geeks Wanted

Look at getting Skype. Free. They have a Linux version (along with windows and mac).

Handles the video call, audio, etc.

skype.com

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Computer Geeks Wanted

Skype is always my first choice. Can't beat the free skype to skype calls, just keep in mind that video calls can only be done when only 2 people are on the call. Add a third person and the video goes away. It should automagically detect that web cam as well.

 

[v1_0]

Re: Computer Geeks Wanted

The C500 is supposed to be UVC compatible
(http://www.quickcamteam.net/devices/logitech_uvc_device_list.pdf)

So, if you have the uvcvideo driver... This may help: http://linux-uvc.berlios.de/

 

[ThumbPkr]

Re: Computer Geeks Wanted

Try CQphone.It is cross platform and works very well.I have talked all over the world with it.Ron G
http://cqphone.com/

 

[i386]

Re: Computer Geeks Wanted

Sorry i386 i am running ubuntu , I think I may have figured it out.
Looks like pidgin might work, I am waiting for my son to download pidgin and then we will give it a shot.

I was hoping you used Ubuntu. I haven't used a web cam in Linux, but I was going to suggest the Ubuntu forums.

http://ubuntuforums.org/

There's a ton of info in the Multimedia and Video section.

 

[Tubingluvr]

Re: Computer Geeks Wanted

Got the cam working in pidgin.
Had to get a Gmail account video won't work with yahoo.
Also had to reset router.
Works excellent now.

 

[i386]

Re: Computer Geeks Wanted

Good deal!