Catfood Software Blog

Catfood WebCamSaver 3.10 Beta and Free License Offer

(Updated 2011-07-09: WebCamSaver 3.10 has now been released. Thanks for all the great feedback!)

The next release of WebCamSaver is now in beta. As usual I’m handing out free licenses to anyone who provides feedback. This time there’s a twist – you’ll get a license for yourself and a license to give to a friend. To qualify all you need to do is install the beta and then leave a comment on this post. You can ask for a feature, report a bug or just let me know what you like or hate about WebCamSaver. This offer expires once WebCamSaver 3.10 is released.

  • Download Catfood WebCamSaver 3.10 Beta

Catfood WebCamSaver 3.10 Beta

The beta currently adds proxy server support, fixes several bugs related to the webcam list in WebCamSaver settings and allows the webcam list to be sorted by description, time zone or the date that the webcam was added. This first beta release is version 3.10.0087.

I’ll update this post as the beta is updated. Check back here, or subscribe to comments to get notified when new versions are made available.

(Updated 2011-06-30: Beta updated to 3.10.0105. Major directory overhaul to remove duplicate webcams. Non-integral timezones are now supported.)

(Updated 2011-07-03: Beta updated to 3.10.0160. In four and sixteen cam modes each webcam now updates simultaneously. You can also jump from the screensaver to the webpage for a cam — hold down any key and then use the mouse to click on the cam you'd like to open.)

Tags:

Beta | WebCamSaver

# | by Rob on June 17, 2011 | Comments (50)

Comments

6/17/2011 3:52:14 PM #

James

Hi,

What can I say? This isn't just the best screensaver ever, it's one of the best life essentials ever. When I first discovered the magic of the Liveview webcams, I was delighted. It was like being able to visit awesome locations from may armchair. So when I found a screensaver that could act like a window on these wonderful places, I was in Heaven. Seriously, I don't understand why some people are happy to let a line bounce around their monitor in its downtime when it could be beaming in scenes of bustling French squares, chilly ski-lifts and far-flung Tokyo neon signs.

The new version is wonderful. I love being able to sort by age (so I'll never miss a new addition), and I love how easy it is to select my favourites. Basically, I love everything about it. It's so much fun, and brings so much variety to the screen. I have my favourite cams - The streets of Narbonne, that crazy Japanese wind-speed screen, the flag-filled car-park of a Dutch retail park - But it's always fun to leave this screensaver on random and let it transport me to a completely new place.

I can only think of two things which would make this better;
- The ability to sort by country
- Faster refresh-rate (although the current rate of every 0.25 seconds is pretty good!)

But I have to say this is pretty much my perfect screensaver. I love hunting for foreign channels on TV and through the brilliant TV Fox plugin, and the WebCamSaver is the ideal program to fill the screen when I'm not working. I love turning to the laptop to see people in Bulgaria or Germany getting on with their lives, or shoppers milling around a store in Texas, or the ships rolling in and out of a French port.

Thank you!  

James United Kingdom | Reply

6/18/2011 10:41:53 AM #

Rob

I'll look at sorting by country. The 0.25 refresh is about as fast as it can go. I'm glad you like WebCamSaver so much!

Rob United States | Reply

6/18/2011 1:40:43 AM #

Isaac Adel

Hi,

   I have to say that I am enjoying the sights that I am able to see on the web cam. The views are very clear and they are never the same shots. I like being able to show off my new screensaver . Thank you.

Isaac Adel United States | Reply

6/18/2011 10:42:03 AM #

Rob

Thanks!

Rob United States | Reply

6/19/2011 9:10:05 AM #

Chris

Hi,

I'm running the camsaver now for a long time (since the beta of V3) - I really like it but what I am really annoyed of:
a lot of the descriptions / locations are incorrect. Luckily it is possible to edit these but not easy - and unfortunately it is impossible to edit them directly from the Webcam browser. And all changes are lost after an automatic or manual update. So you have to correct them all again - or never ever have any cam updates at all in the future.

So it would be nice to have an additional field which won't be touched by an update for my own purpose (e.g. notes) or a marker that prevents manually edited cams by automatic changes.

Also a "Favorites" section would be nice! In both windows - screensaver settings and the Webcam Browser.

And it would be nice to have the search/filter function also in the screensaver settings dialog - and a dream: if the last 10 or 20 filter arguments are stored, remembered or can be saved. And maybe a wildcard function?

But anyway - I love it and I don't want to miss it Smile

Thanks from Germany!

Chris Germany | Reply

6/19/2011 9:19:26 AM #

Rob

Hi Chris,

I'm working on improving the descriptions. The problem is that they are set automatically based on the IP address of the webcam. Sometimes it's close and sometimes not. Rather than preventing updates the plan is to make it easier to submit and updated description through the Catfood web site. That way everyone who uses WebCamSaver will benefit from improved descriptions over time.

I'll look at your other suggestions and see what I can add in 3.10.

Thanks for the feedback.

Rob

Rob United States | Reply

6/19/2011 10:12:10 AM #

Chris

Hi Rob,

first let me say: I can imagine how much work this must be for you - I really appreciate your work on this!

I remember we discussed the problem with the improper descriptions already while V3 was beta. I can understand your wish of collecting all information on incorrect decriptions so all users can benefit from the corretions.
I realize it's a big plan to collect all reviewed descriptions and share them with all users. I hope you can realize it - I'm waiting for this feature since April 2009 Smile But maybe I'm only one of a few who are interested in correct descriptions.

So I will lay back, wait and enjoy your great work while watching the world's webcams.

Chris Germany | Reply

6/19/2011 2:57:41 PM #

Marco

Hi, it's an interesting application but at present I can only see a black screen with name/link of you application.
Should it run correctly "as is" just after installation?
Have a nice day.

Marco Italy | Reply

6/19/2011 3:14:50 PM #

Marco

Ok, it start working correctly ... there was just a delay of some minutes at program start, than 1 out of 4 webcams appear ... after another minute all webcams were displayed.
It's a first start but it seems an interesting application ...
Some webcam quality seems low, but this is not your problem. It could be an idea have the possibility to "rate" a webcam quality so that hi quality webcams can be used more times than other with low quality (just an idea).
Thanks

Marco Italy | Reply

6/19/2011 4:49:53 PM #

Rob

Hi Marco,

Glad you got it working. The first time that WebCamSaver runs it will update the list of webcams. If then does this once a week by default. You should notice that it starts faster going forward.

The quality can vary. Providing ratings is something I've considered in the past and I may add this at some point. If there are any cams you really hate you can uncheck them in WebCamSaver Settings and they won't appear in rotation for you any more. You can also switch to the 16-cam mode, this has smaller images for each cam and so it tends to look the best (if you like having that many at once of course).

Thanks for the feedback.

Rob

Rob United States | Reply

6/20/2011 6:51:39 AM #

lynne

Hi,i just love your web cam,i enjoy looking around the world at places i have never been too.Whoever thought up this idea,gets a 10/10 from me.
I hope me writing this note will not stop,me from looking at the cams,as  for hours throughtout the day,your cams are the best thing on the web,they bring me so much pleasure,i dont go out much and this really does cheer me up,thankyou so much.lynne  

lynne United Kingdom | Reply

6/20/2011 10:45:17 AM #

Bill Yanneck

Hi,

Just discovered your WebcamSaver application here and needed to say thanks!
I've long been a fan of the "JustWatching" desktop wallpaper program and thought I'd suggest that a similar function added to this multi-cam view would be terrific.
I run a half-dozen or so webcams, with the "Blue Iris" software, pointed at the skies over my location here in Western Colorado, and it will be nice seeing all of them at once as a screensaver.
You are welcome to use any of the views to include in the stock cam list, but I don't run the cams 24/7, so it probably isn't a good idea considering the refresh options.
Lastly I also use the Webcam Watcher screensaver, so you can see I DO enjoy this type of cam stuff.
Again, thanks for what you're doing here!
-Bill
http://yanneck.com

Bill Yanneck United States | Reply

6/20/2011 2:43:56 PM #

Rob

Hi Bill,

I've found JustWatching... so the idea is that you get updated cams as desktop wallpaper? Interesting. Would like to hear if anyone else would like to see this as a feature. Have you checked out Catfood Earth? This is my wallpaper application. I've been thinking of adding webcams but small images that point to the location of the webcam on the map.

As your cams aren't 24/7 I wouldn't include them in the list, but you can add them to your private list in WebCamSaver Settings. If you *just* want to see your cams delete the defaults, add your cams and then disable automatic updates (on the Advanced tab).

Thanks for the feedback!

Rob

Rob United States | Reply

6/21/2011 4:06:14 AM #

marco

Hi Rob, it could help if every webcam inside list has an incremental index, and there is an option to show this index together with the place and the time.
This way it could be easier remove the webcams with pour quality or  not showing interesting places.
Regards
Marco

marco Italy | Reply

6/21/2011 8:09:49 AM #

Rob

Marco,

Good idea. There is already an index for each WebCam so I'd just need to add an option to show it (and include it in the webcam list).

Rob

Rob United States | Reply

6/21/2011 11:16:13 AM #

Marco

Just another thing ...
Sometimes I've seen that a webcam is showed more times at the same time. Would be better don't duplicate it.
This happen easily in 16 webcam view.
Regards

Marco Italy | Reply

6/21/2011 11:31:16 AM #

Rob

Marco,

Yes, there are a few duplicates. I'm working on a new version of the WebCam directory at the moment. This will reduce the number of duplicates and improve the quality of the WebCam descriptions.

Rob

Rob United States | Reply

6/23/2011 11:39:14 PM #

Guglielmo

Bellissimo! Sto studiando come inserire nuove webcam delle dolomiti.
Grazie!

Guglielmo Italy | Reply

6/24/2011 12:23:07 PM #

Rob

Grazie per il feedback e spero che vi piace il prouct.

Rob United States | Reply

6/27/2011 2:36:41 PM #

Marco

Hi Rob,
would be a nice feature save a screenshot of webcam(s) currently on screen. Now it's already possible do this pressing "print screen" key and paste screenshot in a graphic editor, but it's a little tricky for most users.
Someone could find useful press a key and have a screenshot saved using an incremental file name.
Regards

Marco Italy | Reply

6/27/2011 5:58:42 PM #

Rob

Thanks for the suggestion Marco.

Rob United States | Reply

6/28/2011 2:22:11 PM #

Shields B. Abernathy, M.D.

Is there the ability to notify where the webcam is from?  Otherwise, what's the p[oint!

Shields B. Abernathy, M.D. United States | Reply

6/28/2011 6:05:09 PM #

Rob

WebCamSaver displays a description of each WebCam by default, optionally including the current time. Is this what you mean?

Rob United States | Reply

6/30/2011 4:18:57 PM #

Rob

Updated beta to 3.10.0105.

Rob United States | Reply

7/1/2011 5:37:56 AM #

marco

Hi Rob,
your Webcam browser is a useful application, but should be better if there is a way to copy webcam URL ... for example from a context menu on selected webcam ...

marco Italy | Reply

7/1/2011 8:30:56 AM #

Rob

Hi Marco,

The Control Cam button opens the URL where you can take control of the webcam. You can then copy this URL.

I'm planning to add a button that will open the cam's page in our directory as well.

Is there something else that you're trying to do / get here?

Rob

Rob United States | Reply

7/1/2011 1:43:06 PM #

Marco

You are right ...
but why sometimes I can see the webcam in your browser but if I press Control Cam button I get an error ?
For example now it try to open URL "202.255.198.14/sample/LvAppl/LvAppl.htm" but I get "404 Not Found
The requested URL /sample/LvAppl/LvAppl.htm was not found on this server."
Strange because I'm looking at that webcam inside your browser and it works correctly.

Marco Italy | Reply

7/1/2011 2:04:01 PM #

Rob

Sometimes the links go stale. I've been working to fix these where possible. It's always worth trying to go to the root of the site, i.e. for your example go to http://202.255.198.14/ and you can then find the link to control the cam.

Rob United States | Reply

7/1/2011 3:17:29 PM #

Marco

you're right ... sorry but I don't know almost nothing about how a webcam works.
I can imagine that there are several types of webcam so probably they will work in different way.

Marco Italy | Reply

7/3/2011 3:26:11 PM #

Rob

Updated beta to 3.10.0160.

Rob United States | Reply

7/4/2011 1:24:06 AM #

marco

Hi Rob, beta 3.10.0160 works much better now !
Seems faster to start and more reactive updating webcams.
Very interesting the feature to click webcam on screen and open the corresponding webpage.
Regards

marco Italy | Reply

7/4/2011 8:37:17 AM #

Rob

Great, glad you like it. It should be much faster and with the updates to the directory you shouldn't see duplicates on 4 or 16 cam mode.

Rob United States | Reply

7/4/2011 2:37:07 PM #

Marco

Ok, seems that now no duplicate is shown in 4 and 16 cam mode.
Good job   Smile

Marco Italy | Reply

7/5/2011 3:41:36 AM #

marco

Hi Rob, you keep the webcam list in your web site, right?
There is a way to directly add a webcam to your list or is possible only suggest you a webcam? Suggestions are well accepted?  Smile

marco Italy | Reply

7/5/2011 8:08:07 AM #

Rob

There is no way to directly add a webcam, but you can use the contact form to suggest one. Note that for automatic updates only Canon network cameras are supported at the moment.

Rob United States | Reply

7/7/2011 7:05:31 PM #

Morris Brown

Love the app. Would like to see the updates having a pop-up so we know that is did so and also not have them activate all cameras by default. Such a pain to have to uncheck 200+ cams every time. Also, seems to have a lot of cams without a location or description.

The desktop idea was a nice one. Set it up kinda like they had in XP were you could have web content as your desktop. Used to have cams but then they made it harder in newer versions. I know there is other software that can do this, but would be nice to have everything in one shot to save resources.

Maybe the option to disable a cam from the screensaver without having to exit and go back into settings then try to find which one it was as some have multiple cams with the same name.

Morris Brown United States | Reply

7/8/2011 9:31:18 AM #

Rob

Hi Morris,

The update shouldn't reactivate cams that you've disabled an more. Did you see this with the latest version of the beta (3.10.0160)? I'm working on the locations and descriptions. The database of cams has had a major upgrade so there are far fewer duplicates. This makes it easier to work on adding descriptions and correcting bad locations.

I'll take that as +1 for the desktop idea. It won't make it into 3.10 now (close to release, just fixing any final bugs at this point) but I will keep it on the wish list.

There's a new option to show the ID of the cams when the screensaver is running. With this on you can jot down the ID of any you don't like and then run settings to disable. You can also sort the settings cam list by ID in the latest version of the beta.

Hope this helps, and many thanks for the detailed feedback.

Rob

Rob United States | Reply

7/8/2011 12:24:28 AM #

marco

Hi Rob, I don't know why but seems that sometimes the selection of a webcam from screen saver don't open the webcam web page (do nothing, just disappear the screensaver) ... this seems happen more times in office (Win XP) than at home (Win 7).
I'll try to understand better what's happening.
Regards

marco Italy | Reply

7/8/2011 8:26:47 AM #

marco

This is not your problem ... if I use Chome browser as default it works.
Probably it's a problem with Internet Explorer on my office pc.
Regards.

marco Italy | Reply

7/8/2011 9:26:17 AM #

Rob

OK. Let me know if you think it's still being at all funky. The one other thing to make sure of is that you keep a key held down when you click the cam (the Ctrl key is probably best but any key should work).

Rob United States | Reply

7/11/2011 1:12:29 AM #

marco

It's ok, Rob ...
At work with Chrome works well, and at home works well with both Chrome and IE ...
Probably I've something wrong with IE at work.

marco Italy | Reply

7/8/2011 10:45:53 PM #

AxSean

Am I doing something wrong? Every time I go through the web cams and select the ones I want,(nothing against japan but I don't want ALL Japan ALL the time) my filter only works for that power cycle. Next time the computer turns on its 90% japan again, japan again, japan again."Its called Japananimation cap".
Sorry got carried away there.

AxSean United States | Reply

7/9/2011 9:32:04 AM #

Rob

AxSean, are you running 3.10.0160? This should preserve disabled cams when updating. I'll take a look, I know that a lot of people want to customize the list of cams. It shouldn't forget when you disable some.

Rob United States | Reply

7/9/2011 2:48:16 PM #

trackback

Catfood WebCamSaver 3.10

Catfood WebCamSaver 3.10

Catfood Software Blog | Reply

7/9/2011 2:53:01 PM #

Rob

WebCamSaver 3.10 has now been released. Thanks to everyone who provided so much great feedback. If your request didn't make the final cut all is not lost, it's on the wish list for the next version of WebCamSaver.

The release version is 3.10.0160, the same as the final beta update. If you already have .0160 installed you're all set. If not, grab the release version from http://catfood.net/products/webcamsaver/

Rob United States | Reply

7/13/2011 6:24:11 AM #

marco

Hi Rob, now I'm using Chrome to open webcam url, but sometimes doesn't work ... I can't understand why.
There are some webcams that may have problems opening url or it should work with any webcam?
If is not a webcam related problem, than it should be something else I can't figure out now ...
About this, it could be useful if you not only try to open webcam url but also copy url in buffer, so it's easier try to understand what is happening and which page fail to open.

marco Italy | Reply

7/13/2011 8:04:14 AM #

Rob

Is this directly from the screensaver or is it from the button in settings? Does the browser try to open a page, or does nothing happen at all?

Rob United States | Reply

7/14/2011 12:16:54 AM #

marco

Directly from screensaver ... and the browser do nothing (browser don't start to run or don't open a new window).
As soon as I've a little time at home, I'll try to do some tests on my other pc.

marco Italy | Reply

7/14/2011 8:13:27 AM #

Rob

Strange, it should open something. Can we take this out of comments? When you've tested at home message me from http://catfood.net/Contact.aspx and I'll see if I can figure out what the problem is.

Rob United States | Reply

9/13/2011 7:06:28 AM #

aerie

Can't believe I missed this! I've enjoyed WebCamSaver on my iGoogle for several years. It's one of the few best iGoogle gadgets.

I've just discovered the downloadable version so I'm getting myself acquainted. I would like to add the web gadget to MyYahoo! if that's possible so I'm gonna keep looking.
Laughing

aerie United States | Reply

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