Webcams For Families Of Soldiers Getting Little Use

Alabama Mobile Webcam-equipped computers were placed statewide to keep those serving overseas in touch with their families. They're not a big hit so far.

by The Associated Press

Published: Tue, February 17, 2009 - 6:13 pm CST Last Updated: Tue, February 17, 2009 - 6:16 pm CST

RUSSELLVILLE, Ala. (AP) - Webcam-equipped computers for military
families to communicate with loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan
have gotten little use in Alabama libraries so far.

Computers were placed in 112 libraries across Alabama as part of Gov. Bob Riley's Connecting Families program to keep those serving
overseas in touch with their families. But a 20-inch screen iMac at
the Russellville Public Library has not been used for nearly three
months, and the TimesDaily reported Tuesday that response appears
to be light elsewhere in the state.

Alabama Public Library Service director Rebecca Mitchell said it
will take awhile for people to learn and use the technology.

And even though use has been light at Houston Love Memorial
Library in Dothan, in one emotional meeting via computer, a mother
saw her son for the first time in a year.

The webcam equipped computers can be found at libraries in Atmore, Brewton, Fairhope, Foley, Mobile, Robertsdale and Satsuma. Click here for the list.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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michael0362 Says:

Tue, Feb 17, 2009 at 8:44 pm

The internet services available via satellite both personal and those of the internet cafes set up in Iraq and Afghanistan will not support web cams. You may get lucky but more than likely they will not work. Work schedules and combat requirements also do not allow for easy scheduling for use of the web cams in the public libraries.

justme Says:

Tue, Feb 17, 2009 at 7:28 pm

As usual if the information is not put out to the public thru the news cast,nor given to the military units and their members, because members of state, news organization are not interested in getting the word out then Yes they will not be used. Remember, we normaly only hear about functions, drives, etc after the fact. So Who’s to Blame…..............

Great1 Says:

Tue, Feb 17, 2009 at 7:26 pm

He may be speaking of the internet cafes here in Iraq. There isn’t enough bandwith here to send or recieve video on computers.

Jamie Burch Says:

Tue, Feb 17, 2009 at 7:14 pm

Michael,

The webcams mentioned in this story are set up at public libraries, not internet cafes.

michael0362 Says:

Tue, Feb 17, 2009 at 6:50 pm

Most of the internet cafes and the personal internet service available do not have sufficient bandwidth to support the use of the cameras. The most useful tool is the phones in the internet cafes at 5 cents a minute and using a chat program on the computers.