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You need not invest in an expensive home security system to keep an eye on your stuff. Here is how you can make a Pc-based webcam security system that captures any movement it sees. the best part is that no extra components or tools are required!

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What you need

and alert systems which are in continuous use. eowever, many such systems and services are comparativ­ely costly, and not within the reach of an average consumer.

eere I describe a PC-based webcam security system that offers the advantages of low cost anG hLJh HIfiFLHnFy Ln LWV RSHUation. Acting as a spy camera, the system can capture any movement it sees. All you need is a USB webcam, Windows uP, Vista or Windows 7 computer, and Fwink—a free webcam software. I have used a Toshiba Satellite Series notebook run on Windows 7 Ultimate Edition.

A webcam is a small video camera that feeds images in real time to a computer, often via a USB port. Webcams can be used to take video clips and still pictures with the help of suitable software applicatio­ns. These can also be used as security cameras. Video security software are available to allow webcams to record movement and sound. Recorded clips saved in the computer can then be e-mailed or uploaded to the Internet.

Fwink is a free and Open Source webcam applicatio­n for Windows. It takes still pictures from the webcam at timed intervals and puts them on a website with FTP. Users can add effects like text messages and time stamps. Further, it is possible to superimpos­e a logo or any image on top of the webcam image. JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, TIFF and WMF overlay image formats are supported by this applicatio­n.

As Fwink is a free and Open Source applicatio­n, anyone can add features WR LW RU fix EXJV anG VHnG WhH FhanJHV back to the developer Chris iundie (www.lundie.ca). Fwink is hosted by SourceForg­e (http://sourceforg­e.net/) and the complete source code can be downloaded from http://sourceforg­e. net/projects/fwink/

Download and install Fwink

The latest version of Fwink webcam software is 1.0. V6. Fwink can be downloaded from http:// sourceforg­e. net/ proMHFWV/IwLnN/fiOHV/ Fwink/ 1.0. V6/ fwink- 1.0. V6. zip/ download

After downloadin­g, unzip the pack ( Fwink 1.0. V6. zip). Click ‘ setup. exe’ file in the unzipped folder to install

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Fig. 1: Fwink webcam software download
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Fig. 2: Camera in the Fwink preview window

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