How To Setup Your Own Webcam

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Robrob8 tells you step-by-step how to setup your own WebCam in 4 easy steps!

I have received many e-mails from people wanting information on setting up their own webcam. Hopefully here you will find the information that you need.

1. Get A Webcam - although this is an obvious starting point, you DO need a camera that is hooked up to your computer and the software to capture pictures so you have something to show the world when they surf in to take a look at whatever you are showing them. Webcam and security cam store is where you can get a great deal on your webcam and have it shipped quickly to your door.
I use a Logitech ClickSmart 310 Camera, it's easy to install, USB ports are best, but you do need to be running at least Windows 98 to make what I tell you run easily with this particular camera.
Once you have it hooked up and running, play with it for a bit. Change the image sizes, colors, discover all the fun things you can do with it before moving onto the next step.

2. The Next Step - You need a website. Personally I'd tell you to get your own domain name and have your own real website, but you may not want to make that investment quite yet. So, go to Netfirms and get your free webspace. I've tried lots of places, Xoom, theGlobe, GeoCities, and they do have a lot to offer you, especially if you need help with designing a webpage and FTPing it into place, (I have help for you here too!) but I like Netfirms best because of the options that they have for you. And you get to choose your own website name, which is really great! Take a look at http://robswebcam.netfirms.com Once your website is up you need to get the program to place your webcam image on your website.

3. The Programs - What I use and what you can use too are the following Programs to get your webcam image to where it should be.
The first program is something that you have to use to make the image re-appear after a set time so that if you are running the image live your visitor doesn't have to click on the Refresh Button on the browser toolbar to see your newest image. The Anfy Team at http://www.anfyteam.com/ has a great Java program to make the image refresh itself and it works great! The best part is that this is a Free Program and it's very easy to set-up. The program you are looking for is Anfy Cam and it's included in the Anfy 1.4 Download. They have great support if you run into any problems too!
The second program that you'll need is what makes the image FTP into place so that the above program has a new image to refresh to when someone is at your webcam page and watching the image change. I use ChillCam from http://www.thegeek.com/chillcam ChillCam V2.3.6 is Free and very easy to setup too! Lots of support if you have questions or cannot get it running easily.

4. Patience - That is the last thing you'll need. Do all the necessary reading on the above programs that you'll be using and have some fun with your new webcam once it's up and running.

Hey, maybe once your webcam is up you'd like to trade links with me too! Then even more people can visit your webcam and the same for mine! Just email me at rob@[no-spam]robrob8.com, remove the [no-spam].