It was five years ago, today, when…

I fired up the CaloosaCam for the very first time…

I created the CaloosaCam as a way for my family & friends ‘up-north’ to be able to enjoy our Florida weather, at least, vicariously.

For that purpose, it’s worked great!  Especially in February and March when the winter hoo-hums set in & visits to the web site skyrocket.

According to the e-mails I receive, and the statistics the site generates, there’s quite a bit of traffic from Europe (specifically Germany, and England) as well.

I also created the CaloosaCam as a tribute to my Grandma, who had passed away almost exactly a year earlier, in July of 2002, from cancer.

I always considered her so much more than just a typical Grandma — she was one of my best friends, a mentor and role-model, someone who enjoyed life, family, friends, traveling, and especially, Florida, just as much as me.  In fact, I’d say that her, and my Grandpa, are a huge part of the reason why I’m in Florida today.

In “The Cam“, you’ll see a photo of her sitting below where I mounted the CaloosaCam, it always amazed me how she felt total peace & tranquility when she would sit for hours, enjoying the view of the Caloosahatchee River.  You could just feel it sitting next her enjoying the view & environment.

What’s great is that no matter where I am, as long as I’m connected to the Internet, I can check in on “home” — feeling the beautiful Southwest Florida weather, if only through a computer screen.

The CaloosaCam has survived a couple hurricanes (Charley and Wilma), the heavy summer Florida thunderstorms, wind and rain, without a problem.

A huge Thank You to StarDot Technologies for the technology, and for recommending the heavy-duty enclosure! ;)   An even bigger Thank You for embedded Linux, which is the extremely reliable operating system the NetCam uses for consistent image delivery all day long throughout the year.