A new web cam pointed at the Arcata Plaza has arrived. It’s
momentarily interesting. But unless something actually happens on the Plaza, like a drug bust or the Oyster Festival, I’m not sure of the appeal. Also, I’m not sure what caching scheme is being used, but once I’ve visited the site in Firefox, returning back to the site later brings me back in time to original point when I first visited. I’ve tried everything (clearing browser cache, forcing reload) short of restarting the browser to see if I can get a current view of the Plaza. For this screen shot I had to open Safari. Maybe it’s just my Mac operating system that doesn’t work will with the camera.
Installed by C4i Security, a company which specializes in video security systems, I wonder if it’s as much designed to monitor the Plaza by officials as it is a novelty for interested civilians. At least from the public page 
there are no controls such as pan and zoom (like the Camel Rock Surf Cam), so the fixed angle is pretty limiting.
Ha Ha!….. Now I get to see you hippies get busted for selling drugs! Too cool…. Here is a novel concept: OBEY THE LAW!
The link isn’t working !
Hey, glad you found the blog. Welcome! And thanks for commenting.
Yes. I know I could follow the directions, switch browsers and download a plugin. But since I spend all day in Firefox, thats not something I am going to do in order to stare at a square where little happens. Sue me. I’m lazy! I do think it’s a limitation for the cam to gather a bigger audience.
I was being somewhat tongue in cheek on the surveillance thing. Especially, as I said, in the current state, you can’t see much detail.
I’m just an amateur techie here in humboldt and just stumbled across your blog. Personally I think the PlazaCam 2.0 is great! Your criticisms seem awfully defensive. If you follow the recommended procedures and use Safari the cam works great. Also, I am confident the Plaza is not being monitored by officials as Chief Mendosa has declared at a much publicized council meeting that APD has no interest in such surveillence. Furthermore, the Plaza is a very public place and there is no reasonable expectation of privacy in any public venue. Even the ACLU won’t dispute that!
Thanks for pointing that out. It’s fixed.
The link isn’t working.