Carmel Clam Cam restoration. Upgrade equipment.

May 17, 2023

The new camera looks good. Unfortunately, the "security" issue with the camera is still with us. For the moment, it will probably remain that way. This means you will get a caution when clicking on the camera link the first time. Note that Carmel ClamCam's main page itself is secure. It's the camera. The process of getting the camera "validated" has been a bit of a fiasco. I'm living with it. What to do: I use Firefox browser that on first click of the camera link presents a caution about the site. I click on Advanced and accept the "risk." From then on, this browser accepts the site (because you did). This security issue does not affect the camera's function. Drop a note in the Chat Box if you like the way the camera is working.

Again, thanks to your interest and contributions, the Clam Cam is back.

January 12, 2023: Hope everyone is starting this year well. May that continue. Want to catch you up on the status of the camera and what we're trying to do about it.

The components of the current camera (Axis 214 PTZ) appear unstable. This has been apparent for some months but crack engineers here in the Clam Bed have been able to cajole the thing a bit. Primary issue has been loss of control, then essential control, of movement, one of the nicer features of the camera. Now there is a new issue with the video circuitry. The camera is "on" but we see nothing. We'll continue trying things to see if video snaps back on. Powering on/off, rebooting, etc. doesn't seem to work at the moment. We can heat the camera housing as needed and that has been somewhat effective in the past. But not at the moment.

Solutions:

(1) Fund drive: Thanks to many generous people, the Clam Cam coffer now stands at around $1000. More is needed for a new, security-modern camera. Of course, this is the most expensive way to go. But one gets fresh equipment that brings obvious advantages. Until then, we'll continue working with the equipment at hand.

(2) Donation of PTZ camera: If anyone has a PTZ cam "laying about" in good working order, that might be a bridge until we can install one with the required features. Since video is unstable with the current camera, any working camera might resolve the video issue. A network camera such as the Axis 214 PTZ (despite lack of security) is just such example. This particular camera is end-of-life, unsupported, not sold by the company anymore, but might be "out there." And it does "work." And there are other PTZ cameras out there that might do.

A word about Security: A lot is said about browser security these days and most browsers have been redesigned to block devices that do not have a special security signature (such as the Axis 214 PTZ). As a result, video is sometimes blocked, as is control of the camera directly from the browser. We've gotten around this by having you jump directly to the camera, bypassing the browser altogether.

Update August 4: Clam-hack: Copy http://73.202.247.0 to address line and bookmark it next to ClamCam. Use it when you want to move the cam. 

Update July 26: For the purpose of clarification, this fund drive is for building a war chest to resolve the usual ongoing issues, and I hope that that goal can be reached eventually. However, the immediate concern is the camera. A new one is in the $3,000 range. But until there is a new one, here's what I've found out regarding what to expect from several common browsers.

Firefox: CC web site presents as secure but with an exclamation mark on the lock. There is video. To control the camera, you first click on Control (the usual way), then click on the lock, then "Connection not secure", then "Disable protection for now." You will now be able to control the camera. It is necessary to repeat these steps every time you reopen Firefox.

Chrome: Web site "Not secure". Video is present both at the homepage and the camera control page, but you cannot control the camera.

Edge: Web site "Secure" but there is no video! Click on the lock left of address line, then "Permissions for this site", then on "Insecure content" toward the bottom of the page, selecting "Allow". You now can view video at the homepage and camera control page, but you cannot control the camera.

So, this is the working hack. This can work until the current camera gives out.

Hi

This is the Main Mollusk, the Chief Clam responsible for this endeavor, asking for your help in revitalizing the Carmel ClamCam site. This site has been running for years. The out-of-date equipment, as of June 2021, no longer meets current Internet Security Standards. It is now clumsy to control, if at all. So, it is time to upgrade. Modern equipment, with upgraded hardware and software, brings improved features, including increased zoom power. More bells and whistles.

Hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world have viewed the Carmel ClamCam. Many are regulars, returning every day. And many are quite passionate about having a glimpse of this part of the world available. We here in the Clam Bed hope you feel the spirit of the ClamCam too and can help its cause. If you enjoy using the site, consider making a contribution. Your part helps.

Many thanks.