Erich Stauffer

Author: Erich Stauffer

  • Webcam Integration with Google Street View API?

    I was chatting with a friend about Google Street View and wondered if it could be integrated with current webcams or any other public surveillance systems. I knew that Google was a big supporter of integration and had created APIs for a lot of their products so I wondered if an API had been created for Google Street View. It had, but as objects in the Google Maps API.

    stevo said on May 30, 2007 10:37 AM PDT The Earth is Closer:

    “What about getting permission to utilize the 1000’s of existing “live web cams” that are already in place all around the world?

    Integration of existing public webcams into Google Maps would be a simple code change, HOWEVER, many of the live cams are currently bandwidth prohibitive, so inclusion into Google maps would surely render them useless. If Google subsidized the bandwidth on some of the “key” cams, it would sure take this project to the next level ;)”

    This post was about the creation of Google Street View and already a commenter had the same idea I had over a year later.

  • Pork on a stick? How can I pass that up?

    Smiling PigThe Tipton County Pork Festival is fast approaching. If you missed out on the deep fried cheese or tenderloins as big as your head, then don’t miss it this year. Located in Tipton, IN, home of the new Chrysler Transmission manufacturing plant, it takes over downtown for three food-and-music-filled days.

  • Google – YouTube Integration Frustration

    Is it just me or is the new login process for YouTube FREAKING ANNOYING everyone else?  If you had an account before (which most people did) and now want to login with your Google Account, you have to login with your Google Account, then link them.  Okay, this sounds simple, and most of the things Googld does work well, but this is not one of them.  How many people out there have multiple Google Acccounts and multiple YouTube accounts.  I have no idea which YouTube account is associated with what Google Account and if the password has changed for the original YouTube account or if the email address associated with the original YouTube account is now changed to my Google Account's email address.  On top of that, once you combine accounts or use your Google Account to login, its actually another step.  WHY NOT JUST MAKE THE LOGIN BE THE FREAKING EMAIL ADDRESS LIKE EVERY OTHER SITE.  This is Google we are talking about here.  RUN A FREAKING BATCH SCRIPT AND ADD ALL THE GOOGLE EMAIL ACCOUNTS INTO YOUTUBE AUTOMATICALLY.  Don't make us jump through hoops just because you're facing a computer science nightmare scenario.  Nobody asked you to buy YouTube.  We were using our Google Accounts and YouTube accounts just fine separately.  If you can get it to work, fine; ELSE: STOP WASTING MY FREAKING TIME GOOGLE!

  • Yahoo! Pipes

    This is a pipe: |

    pipe

    To direct data so that the output from one process becomes the input to another process. The standard output of one command can be connected to the standard input of another with the pipe operator (|). Two commands connected in this way constitute a pipeline. IBM.

     
    http://www.lnf.infn.it/computing/doc/aixcxx/html/glossary/p.htm
     
    Yahoo! Pipes is based on this:
     
    http://pipes.yahoo.com/pipes/
     
    Batch files can be piped together, taking the output from one line and making it the input to the next line like this:
     

    DSGET GROUP "CN=East Coast Sales, OU=East ,DC=bcdtrain, DC=com" -MEMBERS | DSMOD GROUP "CN=BCDTrain Sales, OU=Sales, DC=bcdtrain, DC=com" -ADDMBR

    The first line gets the members of a group, then pipes it in to the next line, which modifies each member from the line above!

    Here's one I created:

    ping 64.233.187.99 | arp -A

    stop

    The first part ping's Google's IP, then the second part (after the pipe) takes that output and uses it as input on the arp command!  The secret is making it all on one line.  Do it on two lines and the pipe won't work.

  • How to REALLY turn a Wireless Router into a Wireless Access Point!

    WAP

    1. Step one: connect the Ethernet cable from your PC to one of the LAN ports on the back of the router. NOT THE WAN!
    2. Step two: login to the router and disable DHCP and assign an IP address.
    3. Step three: setup the wireless settings. Otherwise, use it as a managed switch!

    You’re done! Enjoy your second WAP in the house!

  • Google Will Probably Buy Ebay. Why? Skype Mostly.

    [Update: Microsoft bought Skype from Ebay on May 10, 2011.]

    Crunch Gear recently reported on Ebay‘s recent quarterly loss due to the purchase of Skype.  Ebay also owns Paypal, a strong competitor to Google Checkout.  Ebay is also a big search company.  Google could only improve on that.  Google wants to get into the phone industry with their new gPhone.  Skype will probably run on the gPhone as Skype is already part of the Google Pack.  Aquiring Ebay would net Google Paypal to replace or add to Google Checkout.  It would also give it control of the worldwide phone company, Skype for its cell phone.  Whats one reason why they may not?  Ebay is a major advertiser with Google.  Google and Ebay had a high profile fight back in June 2007.  It showed that Google was vunerable to advertising pull-out.  Advertising is still a primary part of Google’s business.  It could be assumed though, that if Ebay is making money, then Google could make more money by owning Ebay.  If Google is going to do it, they are going to need to do it before Microsoft does.

  • Could we be running Skype on the iPhone soon?

    Apple to open iPhone to outside developers:

    http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/apple-open-iphone-outside-developers/story.aspx?guid=%7B62B086CA-60B4-4378-913E-FD0C21A97BCE%7D

    My hope is that Skype will be able to run from an iPhone, allowing
    Skype access from wi-fi spots. This would mean that you wouldn’t be
    using your ATT minutes while at hot spots or at your home wifi as you
    would be making calls through Skype’s network instead. For now, here is the workaround:

    http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/tom-keating/skype/skype-on-iphone.asp

    This software lets you use Skype on an iPhone or a Windows Mobile Phone (like Tilt):

    http://www.shapeservices.com/en/products/details.php?product=skype&platform=none

  • Bill Gates Breaks Copyrights – Illegally Shares Music with Friends!

    http://www.usatoday.com/tech/techinvestor/corporatenews/2007-10-03-bill-gates_N.htm
     
    Q: What's the coolest thing about the upgraded Zune?

    A: Look at this thing! (Holds up a Zune 8) Three or four years ago there was nothing like this. This is cool as heck. I'm finding music I haven't seen in 20 years. Hey, the Lovin' Spoonful? They're in this thing. I find one of their songs. I send it to friends I had an apartment with, it was actually 30 years ago. I can send it out to them and say, "Remember when we listened to this?" It's amazing.

  • Sleep Less, Do More, Be Vital

    How to stay awake during the day.
     
     
    Three things these two articles have in common:
     
    1. Reduce alcohol intake.
    2. Drink caffeine midday, but not 6 hours before bed.
    3. Wake up at the same time everyday, no matter what.