2006-08-23 20:36:12 · 5 answers · asked by kijana 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Other - Family & Relationships
Started in 1991, the first webcam was pointed at the Trojan room coffee pot in the computer science department of Cambridge University. This webcam is now defunct, as it was finally switched off on 22 August 2001. The final image captured by the camera can still be viewed at the webcam's homepage.
As with many new technologies, webcams and webcam chat found early commercial adoption and aggressive technology advancement through use by the pornography industry. The adult industry required 'live' images and requested a Dutch developer to write a piece of software that could do this without requiring browser plugins. This led to the birth of the 'live streaming webcam', which is still available in various forms today.
In addition to use for personal videoconferencing, it was quickly realised that World Wide Web users enjoyed viewing images from cameras set up by others elsewhere in the world. While the term "webcam" refers to the technology generally, the first part of the term ("web-") is often replaced with a word describing what can be viewed with the camera, such as a nestcam or streetcam.
Today there are thousands of webcams that provide views into homes, offices and other buildings as well as providing panoramic views of cities (Metrocams) and the countryside. Webcams are used to monitor traffic with TraffiCams, the weather with WeatherCams and even volcanoes with VolcanoCams.
Webcams are being used for security purposes. Businesses are using webcams to monitor and record activity in offices, hallways and warehouses. Homeowners are monitoring everything from the baby's room to the backyard with webcams. A webcam alone cannot record video activity. Webcam monitoring software is needed in combination with a webcam to make a complete video security tool.
2006-08-23 20:38:17 · answer #1 · answered by Captian JJ-Johnson 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A web camera (or webcam) is a real-time camera whose images can be accessed using the World Wide Web, instant messaging, or a PC video calling application.
2006-08-23 20:37:25 · answer #2 · answered by Kitia_98 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
webcam is a device that works like a camera where it captures images. you can use it to see your friends who are using the computer and also has a webcam.
it is best used with microphone so that you can see and chat with your friend at the same time,
2006-08-23 20:38:43 · answer #3 · answered by mei mei 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a camera kinda like a video camera.
and you use it when you use yahoo messenger or msn messenger
and it lets your friends see you in live real time.
http://gkall.hobby.nl/TerraCam-usb.jpg
go there for a picture of a webcam.
:D
i hope this helped you.
<33
-sammy.
2006-08-23 20:39:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a usb divice that can take pictures and record video and some people post it on the web
2006-08-23 20:39:03 · answer #5 · answered by djdudeurrea 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋