Logitech doesn't support Windows Server editions which is a pain if you are using Windows Server on your workstation or want to setup a web cam server.

Luckily I have been able to get my QuickCam Sphere working with the qc1100 version of the driver (I believe this may also work with the QuickCam Pro 9000). Unfortunately I doubt that this version will work for 64-bit machines (I was working with 32-bit).

Here is a zip (52MB) of this version as you can't download it from Logitech anymore.

Here are the steps I followed to get it to work:

1. Unplug your QuickCam Orbit/Sphere.
2. Remove all existing copies of Logitech QuickCam drivers and software.
1. Go into the control panel and open 'Programs and Features'.
2. Then select each program with 'Logitech' in the name and click 'uninstall'.
3. Restart your computer.
   
4. Download the 'qc1100' version of the driver and software which works with server 2008 using the zip link above.
5. Extract the zip to your desktop, you should get a file 'qc1100_server2008.exe' and a folder called 'Bin'.
1. The exe is the one I downloaded from Logitech some time ago.
2. The Bin folder is extracted from the installer so you don't have to.
3. FYI: To extract a zip file in windows right click the file and select 'extract all' then follow the prompts.
6. Double Click the 'qc1100_server2008.exe' installer.
7. Make sure you de-select 'get latest version' otherwise it will download the latest version of the driver software which does not work.
8. Continue through the installer as normal.
9. When the installer finishes Restart (if the installer doesn't ask you to I suggest you do anyway).
   
10. Now plug in your QuickCam.
11. All being well Windows should recognise your camera and install it.
12. Check to see if your Camera is working. If it does, great you are finished! If not read on as I had to do these extra steps:
1. Unplug your QuickCam again.
2. Restart your computer.
   
3. Open the 'Bin' folder from the zip file (or extract it yourself from the installer exe).
4. Then run the driver only installer 'setup.exe' in the 'Bin' folder.
5. Then plug your camera in again. This time it should install and start working.

I hope this gets your web cam working too!

Chris Pietschmann has a great article on a simple namespace manager. He states that if your using an AJAX framework you should obviously use the namespace management that it provides. However his code is perfect for my situation where I don't have my AJAX framework loaded yet but do need my namespaces defined.

Anyway the reason for the post is that I refactored Chris's code into a smaller recursive function:

/// Create the Namespace Manager that we'll use
///to make creating namespaces a little easier.
if (typeof Namespace == 'undefined') var Namespace = {};
if (!Namespace.Manager) Namespace.Manager = {};

Namespace.Manager = {
    Register: function(ns) {
        if (ns.length > 0) {
            myBaseNs = ns.substring(0, ns.lastIndexOf('.'));
            this.Register(myBaseNs);
            eval("if(!window." + ns + ") window." + ns + " ={};");            
        }
    }
};

I was looking into compressing JavaScript files and came across this JavaScript compressor by Dean Edwards. On the site he offers a .NET port by Jesse Hansen, which I have just ‘hacked’ to recursively duplicate a directory with the .js files compressed. I say 'hacked' as it was a bit of a rush job, but it seems to work. It also lets you put in a 'header' which allows you to put an author/copyright notice at the top of each of the compressed files. The dupicate folder is created in the same location as the orginal and named the same as the original with '_packed' appended.

The original code is covered by a ‘GNU LGPL’ licence, so I’m posting my modifications here for anyone who might need or want them. I made my changes in Visual Studio 2008 so if you want to open the project you will need a copy (the free/express version should work fine). You will also need the .NET framework installed, I think the installer will prompt you to download it if you don't already have it installed.

Download (source & installer): DirectoryPacker2.net.zip

• It is using the jquery library, which speeds up development (when I get a chance to do it).
• Data retrieval code can be updated more easily.
• The gadget will update itself automatically with no need to re-install.
• Support for other services here and overseas can be added (e.g. Telstra, Virgin USA).
• Google will be supported through an iGoogle Gadget which works with both iGoogle Hompages and the Google Desktop Sidebar.