[Geysers] Streaming cam

[Moose, Allan E.]

Well, whoever was controlling the webcam this morning (Oct 4,  roughly 10:00 am MT to 11:40 am MT) gave us quite a show. They panned down basin to show Spasmodic, Sawmill, and I believe, Oblong [I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong :) ] . Then they zoomed in on OF for the start of an eruption showing us the detail of OF's opening and details of the water column at the start. After panning back to get the whole eruption of OF, they panned down basin to show what I believe was Grand erupting and Grotto's steam cloud (Of course the latter two were partially hidden by trees.).  All of this occurred in the approximately 40 minute time period that I mentioned above.

Many many thanks to the gentleman, or lady who was running the camera!

Allan Moose
________________________________________
From: geysers-bounces at lists.wallawalla.edu [geysers-bounces at lists.wallawalla.edu] On Behalf Of Freund, Udo [udo.freund at lmco.com]
Sent: Monday, October 01, 2007 5:29 PM
To: geyser observation reports
Cc: Tom_Cawley at nps.gov
Subject: [Geysers] Streaming cam

I've had a few discussions with Tom Cawley, who was (is still???) the webmaster, about cams at OF.  The live cam donated by Canon (HUGE thanks to the Canon folks and to Tom for getting it done!!!) does have pre-programmable settings.  Presumably they are experimenting with those settings from time to time.  We'll see if this device can still function in a typical YNP winter.

Tom said that control would be driven by Park personnel, unlike other cams that may be user driven.  The reasoning is obvious - too many users would battle each other for control.  And OFVC personnel need this device to be able to see the basin and will until the new Visitor Education Center is up and running years from now.  The view from the trailer simply sucks.

Those who do not have broadband are missing out.  Dial-up does not support the bandwidth needed for streaming images.  This may push laggards into taking the plunge into broadband, if they can get it.  Sadly, some can't or can't afford it.  At least they won't get a touch of vertigo like I got when wind moves the cam around.  (c:)  It needs image stabilization ... or a more solid mounting platform.

Thanks,
Udo Freund