A free program to connect your webcam to flickr.

This program was created as an experiment in using the flickr API. It was built using the excellent Flickr.NET class library, Visual Basic.NET and Microsoft's WIAAuto COM scripting interface. Since this is experimental it has been lightly tested! It is unlikely to cause damage to your computer but there is no warranty I accept no liability. Use it at your own risk. It works with my Philips ToucamPro and the built-in Logitech camera on my Acer laptop. It may work with some digicams to but it doesn't seem to work with Canons (G3 & 350D don't work).

If you try it out please let me know what you think (and report bugs) to flickrwebcam@photograham.me.uk

No licence, I can't be bothered. Flickr.NET is under the LGPL, this app is a DWYW licence (Do what you want). If you can persuade someone to part with cold hard cash for this good luck to you.

Is it safe? The program doesn't ever see you flickr login, flickr handle that. There is no malicious code in the VB app. You can examine the source and build it yourself if you like. Flickr.NET looks pretty pukker to me. Again you can download the source code from WackyLabs. The rest is all Microsoft.

If you want source code to see how it was done or to adapt it to your needs click below. It is in VisualBasic.NET for Visual Studio 2005. Please let me know if you do something cool with it. I'll happily put a link to you here. The zip includes the wiaauto and flickrnet dlls, or you can get the latest direct from Microsoft & Wacklabs by following the links above.

The application takes pictures at regular intervals so you can use it as an intervalometer with automatic upload. How about a time sequence of a plant growing? The app may work with some proper mulit-megapixel digicams, but it's no-go with Canon's G3 and 350D. You can check your camera by right clicking on the camera name listed under Scanners and Cameras on Windows XP My Computer. If you select Get pictures and you get a Take Picture option your camera should work. This is also a good way to aim and focus.

The Logo image shown below is replaced with the webcam image after upload. There is no live preview so you should use other software to compse your shot and focus the camera. Windows XP provides one method. Right-click on the camera name listed under Scanners and Cameras on Windows XP My Computer. If you select Get pictures and you get a Take Picture you should see a live preview window and a Take Picture button below it. If you see this it's a good indication that your camera should work. If you don't it won't.

The progress bar above the buttons shows how much or your upload quota you have used so far this month.

The settings screen allows you to choose a camera, set the upload interval and various photo options. The tag autowebcam is always set on a new upload. This tag is used to identify a webcam image if you use the Replace option. It simply replaces the most recent photo with that tag. Note that you require a Pro account to use the Replace option.

After you install the program and run it for the first time it will try to take a picture and upload it. If you have more than one camera you will be be asked to choose which to use. This choice is remembered until you change it by click Select camera, or you run the program without your chosen camera attached. An image is taken and your web browser will take you to flickr.com to authenticate this application. If you are already logged in you simply need to click the accept button. Otherwise you are prompted to log in and then asked to accept. The application requires write permissions to upload. It never deletes photos from flickr.

Once you have authorised the application you won't need to do it agian, unless you revoke the permission on flickr.