Computer Guru's...question for you?

[kellyg403]

My dd is one of the girls nominated for Homecoming Queen at next weeks game. Her dad is military and can't get here to escort her or be there. We were thinking we might be able to take the laptop with the webcam so that he can at least see things as they play out. I am currently waiting to find out if it will even be allowed. This was the closest thing I could come up with so the two of them could share this moment. He has missed quite a few things, her heart is broken he can't be here...etc

What I need is an idea how to do this? I am not a computer person. I can check my email and post on the dis but after that good luck. Is it a simple matter of logging in to the webcam and he logging in and wa la he will be able to see what is going on? Is there sound etc?

Enlighten me so I don't mess this up!

Kelly

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I don't know how you would do that however you can tape something from him and play it for her. That way if the school has a problem with a "live" version they could review the tape and approve it.

Congrats to your dd!!!

 

[kellyg403]

I didn't even think of that...good idea! Yeah, I am thinking this is a no go but I know how much it means to her. I told her Dad at the very least I will call once it starts so he can "hear" whats going on...figure its one of those things where it doesn't hurt to try.

DD is very excited. I figure this will be one of those 200 for a dress, 350 for accessories and one smile...priceless.. pictures!

Thanks!

Kelly

 

[golfgal]

Any chance that a local news station tapes the games? Our football games all have live streaming through our local newspaper so you can watch them online. If you have something like this maybe they will be interested in your story and tape it for you so he can watch it online??? Do you have a media department at the school? They may have the equipment to do this as well. I would call the school, explain the situation and see if they have any ideas. I can't imagine that they wouldn't want to help you out the best they can.

 

[kellyg403]

I didn't think of that. I will look around today and see if that is the case. I do know that our local news does a spotlight on friday night called the Friday Night Blitz where they do all the spotlights of the game but not sure if they do live streaming. I will check the newspaper today.

You guys are really helpful thanks so much for the ideas. I actually don't want the responsibility of all this. Simply because I know if they call her name I will be crying and probably shouting and I will forget all about the phone in my hand or the laptop etc. It will be on the ground!

Kelly

 

[lovetoscrap]

Your biggest roadblock is going to be getting a connection while you are at the game. I am not a computer guru so I don't have the right terminology, but you will need a dohickey that basically gets internet signal like a cell phone. And to do that you need to be on a plan that pays for that. That is how people use the internet from their Blackberry, Iphone etc.

You can't just take your laptop to a football field and get a connection. If you have a WiFi wireless dohickey in your laptop it only works if there is a WiFi connection where you are (like at Panera Bread or some hotels). But there is no reason that a Football field would have that.

So unless you know someone else that has that kind of connection you really are better off just videoing the event and then send it to him afterwards. Maybe you can get a friend to help do that so you can focus on your daughter.

Hopefully someone else can come along and explain this better than I can!

 

[OK!]

I know squat about webcams, but if you have a wireless card (wireless modem) that you regularly use to connect to the internet, that's how you can establish the connection live from Homecoming. If you have an iPhone or BlackBerry, they can be set up so you can use them as a tether to establish an internet connection on a laptop (the phone would take the place of the wireless card), but some wireless providers either a) prohibit it, or b) charge absolutely insane rates for the data usage.

If you don't have a wireless card but know someone who does and will let you borrow it, you can probably connect using it. I use my parents' Sprint wireless card to connect when I'm housesitting for them and it works like a charm. It looks basically like this:

Another option, though it wouldn't be live, would be to record the proceedings and then upload them somewhere where he can view the video after the fact (YouTube or something like that).

Good luck!

 

[mill4023]

Yeah, the first step is figuring out how you are going to get an internet connection at the game.
If you can get a connection, then you could use something like http://www.skype.com

 

[RadioNate]

Yeah, the first step is figuring out how you are going to get an internet connection at the game.
If you can get a connection, then you could use something like http://www.skype.com

Skype was going to be my suggestion. Do you have a laptop with a built in webcam? Does he?

Your biggest challenge will be the internet connection. I will say that our local HS does have a wifi network covering campus. It isn't public but at least here students do have the log in information so they can use personal laptops.

You can use a wireless card from your cel phone provider but I'm not sure what they costs would be for you (data plan, etc)

 

[jsmith]

Okay i am a computer guru-and honestly-while its a great idea-its not going to work very well-because-unless the school has a wireless connection you will need a broad band card-that will require you to make a two year commitment to a cell phone company at 30 to 50 dollars a month. Then regardless of the method you use to connect the webcam-skype, msn,yahoo, googletalk or what ever-the bandwidth will be limited by the card-also the field of veiw in a webcam built into a laptop is limited-they are meant to capture a persons face and no more-and excessive movement like the home coming court will cause the frames to pixel out, freeze and go black.
best options-contact your husbands unit and see if a video conferencing option is available, see if the local news will help you out-they can do the video and stream or send it over-the frequently do this for high school graduations at various installations. or just video it and burn it on a DVD and send it too him.

 

[kellyg403]

Thanks for all the help! I kinda figured it was a long shot. We do both have laptops with the webcam but the logistics boggled my mind, plus I am really not sure that the school would allow that type of thing. I didn't even think about how the webcam was usually just for upclose/facial type.

I told him today we will call him and and he can hear things and, of course, we will be taping and sending him a copy. I feel badly for both of them but dd understands. We have been divorced for about 9 years and out of those 9 years he has been deployed probably 5. While it doesn't make it any easier for them, I don't exactly know what to do but to call him and send him the dvd/disc when its done.

Thanks again for all your helpful advice. I don't have wifi through a cell phone but a card that dd puts in her laptap so wasn't sure about the signal. I am glad that I can honestly say 'I tried' and leave it at that so I can concentrate on dd!

Kelly