I have five IP cams positioned in different places to check in on my cats and see what the weather is like at home when I'm away at work (I live 1.5 hours north of work and I'm on duty 24-48 hours at a time with 3-4 days off in between shifts). They're all HTTPS servers accessible via an encrypted and password protected URL on any browser. I use an app called Live Cams HD (also a similar one on my EVO 4G) that allows me to plug in the info for any type of IP cam or web cam view. As many cams as I like with controls for my cams. It gives a tiled view and I can click on one of the tiles for a full screen view. One of my cams is pointed out through one of my two large living room windows looking out at the deck and the canyon beyond. Good for seeing what the snow level is like (my house is at 3,600'), which indicates to me when and where I'll probably have to put chains on when I'm heading home from the valley.
Of course, I live in the mountains on an isolated street with 8 or 9 other houses and close neighbors. Everyone knows everyone well and we keep an eye out for each other here. One of my neighbors is a weather freak and he has a rooftop cam for Weatherbug. I tapped into that as well because it's a view of my house and my other neighbour's house, both across the street. Plus I get his weather info right in the view as well.
Watching my cats play in the living room or sleeping on their beds is always nice to see when I'm away from home. I remember one time seeing what I thought was one of the cats standing under one cam pointed from the ceiling. Not possible, I thought, unless.....she was standing on the OPEN FREEZER DOOR! That was the year the seal on my freezer gave out and, wouldn't you know, it was during SUMMER. Seeing that prompted me to hurry back home as soon as my shift was over (instead of the usual few hours it takes running my errands along the way) to rescue the frozen goods. I eventually had to put a piece of wide tape around the freezer door corner to keep it from popping open so easily until I got a new fridge.
Another time I would come home from work and see a throw blanket in the middle of the kitchen floor. I put it back where it belonged (on the guest bed). Again, I'd come home and see it in the living room. I was sure one of my cats was dragging it around. But WHO? That prompted me to position a full motion pan/tilt cam where I could see both floors on command. While away at work, I'd check in and, sure enough, I catch the culprit, blankie in mouth, dragging it to a spot, then dropping it and curling up on it. I got her a really nice bed and put it in the living room, which she took to right away and hasn't repeated the blanket-dragging bit since. I think that's what she was trying to tell me.
Michael "Spam, spam, bacon, eggs and spam. Hold the bacon and eggs." Sent from my iPad using iPF
