TAM-cam ideas for next year.

[Terry]

I'd like to do a lot better with next year's TAM-cam. There are three areas I'd like to consider.

1) the experience of folks not at TAM, viewing the pictures
2) the experience of folks at TAM being photographed
3) the experience of folks doing the logistics of set-up, tear-down etc.

Improvements for (1)

First, it is clear that we need a better camera, with higher resolution, sensible white-balance, and a sturdy non-falling-down mounting system. That way the individual pictures would be much better.

Second, I think that the archive of previous pictures should be generated on the fly, so that it is always available, from the first picture onwards, and linked from the "current picture page".

Third, we need to have the camera in more interesting and varied locations.

Improvements for (2)

The main thing that is needed for the people at TAM is an indicator of when a photo is being taken. That way, people wouldn't have to stand in front of the device for a whole minute to try to ensure they are captured on the web page.

Improvements for (3)

First, the device needs to be self-contained, at least for short-term use. That way, it can be unplugged, picked up, and moved, without loss of service.

Second, we need to be prepared to provide our own network infrastructure, should the venue not have suitable capabilities.

Third, the photos need to be locally buffered, so that loss of network connectivity doesn't result in loss of data. (This was a serious problem with the streaming solution adopted this year.)

Those are the things I can think of off hand. I'd welcome other suggested improvements.

 

[Ducky]

I believe there should also be the secret skepchick pyjama party cam.

Do you think it would be possible to get a roving cam on someone's shoulder or something with sound? We could do a first person cam thing that is downloadable (but not real time due to bandwidth...)

 

[Terry]

I
Do you think it would be possible to get a roving cam on someone's shoulder or something with sound? We could do a first person cam thing that is downloadable (but not real time due to bandwidth...)

that's a cam-corder, isn't it? No doubt we could do something along those lines, but someone would have to edit down the footage to just the worthwhile bits. I'm absolutely not volunteering for that job.

 

[Ducky]

that's a cam-corder, isn't it? No doubt we could do something along those lines, but someone would have to edit down the footage to just the worthwhile bits. I'm absolutely not volunteering for that job.

Yeah we could get soemone with a digital camcorder and I could edit down with my laptop.

 

[vbloke]

I vote for multiple TAMCams in varied locations (and a secret spycam at the Pajama Party)

 

[exarch]

I vote for multiple TAMCams in varied locations ...

Yes, I think this is the way to go. I was going to suggest the same thing.
Since many people don't go outside the conference room into the registration area during breaks, your only chance to capture them would be when they are entering or leaving the room.

Unless some people would object to being seen on the web of course

 

[bug_girl]

I was pretty happy with the TAMcam as it was, although the indicator of when the photo is being taken would be nice for those that *don't* want to appear on the internet.

 

[Terry]

bumping this in case anyone else has input...

 

[ImaginalDisc]

Yeah we could get soemone with a digital camcorder and I could edit down with my laptop.

We don't even need a camcorder. A sousveillance camera hanging from the namebadge lanyard wouldn't be too expensive, and as long as everyone knows that So-and-So is wearing it, perhaps with a big, red "SMILE, YOU'RE ON CAMERA" name badge, it would inconvience anyone. Those can be linked, wirelessly to whatever laptop we leave connected to the website.

Let's just remind the sousveillance camera person to turn it off when they go to the John.

 

[bug_girl]

oh, you mean the way one of our professors forgot to take his wireless mike off in the john during a class break earlier this week?
Poor guy....

 

[Mercutio]

I suggest (a la Letterman's Monkey-Cam) a portable, head-mounted cam worn by a forum member.




(c'mon--you know it would be so cool...)

 

[ImaginalDisc]

oh, you mean the way one of our professors forgot to take his wireless mike off in the john during a class break earlier this week?
Poor guy....

It could be worse. At the local Renn Faire, one of performers did a balloon swallowing routine twice a day. Once, he forgot to turn off his body mic when he went backstage to regurgitate the balloon. The sound of prolonged regurgitation echoed through the oak forest. I'm sure no poet has ever used that line before.

 

[bug_girl]

I suggest (a la Letterman's Monkey-Cam) a portable, head-mounted cam worn by a forum member.
(c'mon--you know it would be so cool...)

How about a boob cam, worn by a skepchick? everyone is looking there anyway.....

 

[Kiless]

How about a boob cam, worn by a skepchick? everyone is looking there anyway.....

Heh. I got a serious giggle attack when some lovely TAM gentlemen were politely pondering the equation on my skepchick shirt (designed by the multi-talented Brown) as it meant they had to look at where the design was on my chest and they were so intent-but-not-intent-because-they-were-honestly-figuring-out-the-math-and-didn't-want-to-be-rude-and-its-really-difficult-to-do-that-when-you're-gazing-at-the-female-body-and-people-might-have-got-the-wrong-idea-but-honestly-it-was-really-WAS-the-equation.....

 

[Kiless]

I suggest (a la Letterman's Monkey-Cam) a portable, head-mounted cam worn by a forum member.




(c'mon--you know it would be so cool...)

I dare you to do it.



(you'd be absolutely mortified, as would I, so feel free to back out... )

 

[exarch]

I dare you to do it.



(you'd be absolutely mortified, as would I, so feel free to back out... )

Why? It would be the one place you could be sure not to appear on the website. As long as you remember not to look into the mirror.
Then again, in Vegas, that bit may be tricky ...

 

[Darat]

I take it the idea of having a subscription only millimeter-wave camera has been dropped?

 

[Mercutio]

I dare you to do it.



(you'd be absolutely mortified, as would I, so feel free to back out... )

I would do it. It would demonstrate my paranormal ability to maintain eye contact with Dups....

 

[Kiless]

I would do it. It would demonstrate my paranormal ability to maintain eye contact with Dups....

Wouldn't it be like carrying around a big sodding brick on your head though? And look rather goofy?

 

[Terry]

The cheap-ass wireless webcam we used this year weighs 8 oz (230g) and is about 3"x6" (8cmx18cm). You'd need a battery pack in your pocket too. It definitely would look goofy.

Better solutions could probably be had by throwing money at the problem.