I learned a couple important things about using WebcamNotes while at CES. First, there are a lot of good pictures to take, but some of the best ones I can’t post :-). But here’s one I can share. This is a snapshot I took of the Tablet PC booth. They were using a Tablet PC program from Revibe that captures your photo, enables you to handwrite a message, and then emails it to whoever you like. I didn’t have enough time to try my chance at the contest.
I got a lot of curious looks when I took this snapshot. Here I was holding my webcam-equipped NEC Litepad over my shoulders taking a snapshot of the Tablet PC booth. I wonder what people were thinking. I wonder if they thought it was some exotic, large format digital camera or did they recognize it as a Tablet PC?
Another thing I learned, was that I probably don’t want a GPRS modem card for my computer. Peter showed me how he uses his bluetooth equipped phone wirelessly connected to his Tablet. With this setup he was actually able to upload faster than a dial up connection Layne was using. It makes more sense to have a bluetooth card rather than a modem card because 1. I can use the phone elsewhere and 2. the cell phone has its own battery. Now I need to find a bluetooth card for my Tablet and the right cell phone.
In terms of using WebcamNotes, one mistake I made was not making sure that the camera was in focus. Ooops. I need a “image is not in focus” warning bitmap. Unfortunately, most of the pictures are blurry–even the “good” ones I can’t share.
I also realized–like I suspected–that part of the allure of WebcamNotes is being able to post while I’m on the go. WiFi support though at CES was pathetic and I wish I’d had a bluetooth phone setup like Peter. Next time.
Hi Loren:
I posted about your WebcamNotes application on my blog. I’m an elementary school teacher/Literacy Coach and have been using blogs with students and am very excited to use inkblogging with them soon. Also, I appreciate that you posted the URL’s of your neices and nephew’s sites. We elementary school teachers need to see good examples of what young kids can do with blogs!
you can can get a usbbluetooth adapter like this one http://www.d-link.com/products/?pid=34
Thanks for the link Justin!
Wow, i am in an elementary teacher certification and look forward to using similar applications with students one day.
My question for Loren is, what webcam are you using on your tablet? it is a SD/CF card device? or a USB one with wires hanging around? I would love to outfit my new HP Tc1100 with something small and unobtrusive, like the sort of things that you can pick up for Palm/PocketPC devices. Sadly, most of that hardware doesn’t seem to contain drivers for Windows XP out of the box. perhaps they are auto recognized? any help would be appreciated. thanks.