From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Connecticut, USA

Wow.

Lest people begin to think that BigPumpkins.com is bankrupt, let me clarify what is going on.

Late last July, our third Pumpkin Cam ( 2 color and 1 b&w) gave up its last image. We were using the cheap X-10 cameras that you see in those anoying pop-up ads on the Internet. At that time, Ken and I decided that if we were to go through the effort of putting the cam back up, we would need to do it right. This meant a a "real" camera with a weather proof housing and a real honest to goodness lense. At the time I thought this would run about $600. Due to the cost, we thought we would see if anyone was interested in sponsoring the webcam and in return receive some "promotonal consideration". It was then that I posted a message asking if anyone would be interested. This post went unanswered for 5 months. In fact, I had fogotten about it. We just figured that people weren't that into the pumpkin cam.

12/23/2002 5:01:26 PM

Connecticut, USA

I think what really happened is that it was a busy time of year, and the message was missed.

Today I opened up my email and a very generous member, DocGipe, had pledged $100 to the cause. It was this post that made the thread visible again to so many. Well, since then and now, pledges are rolling in.

It is not our position to guilt people into this. However, if you would like to make a pledge, you may send a check made out to Ken Desrosiers or John Deary to:

BigPumpkins.com
P.O. Box 325
Broad Brook, CT 06016-0325

Please don't make it out to BigPumpkins.com, we are not yet a company and the bank won't allow us to cash them. Put PumpkinCam in the memo field.

You may also a via PayPal if you prefer to: [email protected]

Again, thanks to those who have donated already.

Merry Christmas,

John Deary

12/23/2002 5:07:16 PM

Connecticut, USA

Oops,

Forgot one important detail. I have since re-priced what we would need and the total is now about $300. A much more atainable goal.

For those that are interested, here is a link to the camera:

http://www.supercircuits.com/STORE/prodinfo.asp?number=PC33C&variation=&aitem=12&mitem=28

12/23/2002 5:08:52 PM

[email protected]

Hey John,

Do you take Corporate Visa cards?

Steve

12/23/2002 6:44:11 PM

Amherst, WI

Can anyone explain to this Cheesehead how the pumpkin cam works? I've tried it many times, but nothing ever happens.

12/23/2002 7:17:28 PM

i think a time lapsed video would be nice..something you could click on and see the days growth of the plant,it would be fun to watch 12 hours of vine growth in 30 seconds,then maybe the whole season of growth compressed.

12/24/2002 5:28:45 AM

Connecticut, USA

Randoooo,

Right now the cam is offline, so it just shows a black image. There isn't anything to do right now.

John

12/24/2002 8:09:07 AM

Montoursville, PA

Randoooo Pulling from John's note to me it may be said that the idea was great and it worked for a while or even intermittently....then because of its lower end quality it just quit. The program here is to afford higher quality level of equipment. It is a great idea. Like all technology it costs bucks. We can help with this one.

12/24/2002 9:47:44 AM

Montoursville, PA

Randoooo...Dumb Dutch are worse than blonds sometimes. :) Your question was how it works. It works like a camcorder.
It is like security systems working in stores. A stationary eyeball transmits to a receiver. It takes a picture every so many minutes which is transmitted to a receiver and through to the Pumpkin Cam site. I think the time lapse between pictures can be as frequent as every ten minutes.
There is a link in an earlier post here that will let you see the eyeball that is under consideration for use at this time. Basically a better lense and waterproof construction.
...We just better in all ways.

12/24/2002 10:01:20 AM

Western Pa.

John,

I, for one, know how much you cherish your WebCam, as well as many of us fellow growers do! That is why I, regardless of being unemployed at the moment, will be sending you a donation for a new WebCam. As long as we don't receive any late night receptions of you lying in your patch, with nothing on but a BigPumpkins.Com thong, I can't foresee any problems! (or complaints!), you'll have with a new mutually funded Webcam! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! (In case you don't know it, these guys HATE all capital messages!)

Best Wishes to All!

kilr

12/24/2002 8:03:25 PM

North Ga

LMAO kilr!!!

12/24/2002 8:12:29 PM

Amherst, WI

Well, count me in then. I'm happy to send a little "jing" to help cover costs.

12/25/2002 11:18:56 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Only kilr would come up with that one! Lmao!!

12/25/2002 11:56:41 AM