Webcams in Pubs

[Dave M]

Is just me that would feel a little uncomfortable drinking in the Crown Liquor Saloon knowing that they had this webcam (http://www.crownbar.com/main_bar_webcam.html) available on the internet?

I've seen ones that update every few minutes before which doesn't bother me, but this is a surprisingly good live feed! :eek:

[hopwas]

Is just me that would feel a little uncomfortable drinking in the Crown Liquor Saloon knowing that they had this webcam (http://www.crownbar.com/main_bar_webcam.html) available on the internet?

I've seen ones that update every few minutes before which doesn't bother me, but this is a surprisingly good live feed! :eek:

Really good quality live feed I must say! :eek:

It would be good viewing if Wild West style bar brawl happening...

[Oggwyn Trench]

If this was in my local the Mrs would be glued to it making sure i behave meself:eek:

[oldboots]

I see a great many opportunities for drunken silliness here, ;)

[NickDavies]

Is there a very prominent warning that the webcam exists and is broadcasting live to the world? I'd go as far as to say that they should verbally inform everyone going in the pub what is happening. Unless they want to risk an expensive encounter with m'learned friends.

[Millay]

I can't say I remember seeing the webcam at the Crown Liquor Saloon, or even knowing it was there.

However I do remember one at Rocky O'Reilleys Prague (http://www.rockyoreillys.cz/webcam.htm) which was even more dangerous :cool:

[Eddie86]

If this was in my local the Mrs would be glued to it making sure i behave meself:eek:

Exactly why we haven't installed one, despite debating the merits several times every few months!

[Conrad]

Are there any merits? It strikes me as one of those things that IT companies try and sell but just has disaster written all over it. That may once again just be the way my cynical mind works though.

[Evil Gazebo]

My inner killjoy worries about the large number of people who already require nothing more than too much drink to believe their hilarious* antics are entertaining. I can see the presence of a webcam causing flurries of texts to mates to visit the webpage to watch their hilarious* activities.

Also, in agreement with points made earlier, regarding privacy - both personally because people may not want others to know they are in a pub, for any of many reasons; also legally as flagged up by NickDavies, exactly what sort of information is displayed etc.

Can’t see any positives, other than maybe in a publicity stunt sort of way, even that could easily backfire. More negatives.

* not funny at all

[Soup Dragon]

Are there any merits? It strikes me as one of those things that IT companies try and sell but just has disaster written all over it. That may once again just be the way my cynical mind works though.

you could sit at home and watch who chats up your missus

[arwkrite]

A couple of the bars I visited in Florida have webcams and occasionally I visit them when feeling like a trip down memory lane.As for privacy it don't exist anymore. Swept away on a tide of panic with terrorism and "Its there to protect you " the most spouted phrase regards CCTV, usually by those who have vested interest.Surveillance will get worse not better. Snoops are even in your rubbish bins, your mobile phones even under the bonnet or boot of your car. OK you can feel outraged but it aint going to alter a thing. No I.D cards ? They will arrive in one form or another.
Until then just smile at the camera and be careful where you pick your nose or scratch your ar**e, you donut want to be seen on those Police Action programs do you ?

[Evil Gazebo]

As for privacy it don't exist anymore.

I (think I) understand where you’re coming from with that, Arwkrite, but it ignores the fact that - so far - publicly accessible camera-feeds are almost unheard of here, as far as I know. Comparing this with CCTV is misleading, as CCTV is provided, at least in principle, for the security of an establishment and its customers, while the webcam idea can surely only be driven with commercial goals in mind. And of course privacy exists - at least it does in my house and, I’m sure, in yours.


OK you can feel outraged but it aint going to alter a thing. No I.D cards ? They will arrive in one form or another.

Well of course that’s true if everyone just lamely accepts it as an inevitable state of affairs. But the Labour government has backed down on plenty of these sorts of draconian measures (most obviously ID cards), even when they had a majority of over a billion seats or something, so it’s far from guaranteed that an incoming administration will even consider such legislation.

[arwkrite]

Labour will only backdown if they think it will cost them votes at this election, at a moment of strength ID cards will be back, I am just wondering how long will it be the E.U. demand them. CCTV footage ends up on. broadcast TV .Surely someone is paying for it. People will view webcams for whatever reason. It all sounds like commercial entertainment to me.
Have a look around the internet you can find equipment anyone can buy that can detect your conversation from inside your home . Whether your conversations are deemed of interest to do this is immaterial. The capability is there and some one could use it and abuse it and perhaps stick it on UTube. It is surprising what some people find funny these days. It has been said we are sleep walking into a surveillance society. It is my belief we are already there

[Evil Gazebo]

http://hownottopickupgirls.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/9319_tired_man_sleepwalking_in_his_pajamas3.jpg