1 Feb
Fuddruckers
Fuddruckers Etymology -
Language of origin: Burgerese
Meaning: Obesity parade
4 Nov
Download Fusion Table CSV outside Fusion Table interface
I have been doing some work lately using Google Fusion Tables and it is an extremely cool tool.
I have been taking data from a Fusion Table and putting it into a table view (and other chart types) using Google Chart Tools to visualize the data on another site.
To be as transparent with the data as possible, I am linking back to the raw data on Fusion Tables, but I also wanted to offer a direct CSV download. This would enable me to not force users to go to Fusion Tables and find the “Export” option to download the data they wanted.
Seems simple, but the export functionality is triggered in the Fusion Tables interface via JavaScript, so the link was obscured a bit. With some modest detective work, I found out how to externally as a Fusion Table for a CSV file…
*Drum roll*
http://www.google.com/fusiontables/exporttable?query=[YOUR FUSION TABLE SELECT STATEMENT]
Hope this might help buy someone a few minutes of their life back in the future.
31 Oct
Video baby monitor
I just got in my Foscam FI8918W wireless IP camera to use as a video baby monitor and I can honestly say that this thing rocks.
For those that have not heard of the Foscam, it is a low cost, pan/tilt, wireless IP camera with night-vision and a number of other nice features.
Setup is a snap. It works on multiple devices and really could not be much more simple (though the interface could use a bit of work). You also can view the video stream from the web-browser of your choosing, and from anywhere in the world if you have the proper port-forwarding or VPN set up.
The software also has robust features such as multiple user accounts, Dynamic DNS account settings for those with ever-changing IP addresses, and the ability to upload photos to an FTP server.
If anyone is looking for a great video baby monitor, save your money and buy one of these bad-boys. The camera has built in audio that works well, but for our situation it does not make sense to have a iPhone, iPad, or web-browser on the stream 24/7. So, our plan is to supplement it with a classic audio baby monitor and get great quality video that can be monitored from anywhere in the world alongside 24/7 audio monitoring for peace-of-mind.
My favorite feature is adding the Foscam as a playlist on a hacked Apple TV, so you can have the baby monitor up on the big-screen with audio. You could even set the Apple TV up on picture-in-picture and watch the game while still keeping an eye on the little one.
An authentic Foscam can be found online for around $80 shipped, but you might have to wait a while for it to come in from China. If you are willing to take a risk, knockoffs can be found on eBay in the $50 range.
25 Oct