As far as cameras and software go
I would use X10. It's a home automation company that makes modules that let You do pretty stuff like adjust all your lights to a pre determined dimm setting, turn Your TV, audio and whatever else with a touch of a single button, schedule the same, do it remotely or when a motion sensor is tripped and such.
For the longest time I wanted to combine night vision cameras with a laptop placed on the roof so that the LCD is in place of the sun visor in order to get a night vision enhanced rear and front view from the car in addition to the ability to record any encounters with the agents.
If I'm not mistaken, and I just might be in this case, they have some sort of a rule where the video must have been rolling before the cop initiates the stop in order to be admissible in court. If the cameras are used in this fashion that rule would be satisfied and they would serve a good purpose.
Subscribe to the newsletter to get sales. Keep track of prices because every sale is the “best” but they do vary. Pay attention to diferent types of cameras (instant on, wide lense, night vision, tiny, built in microphone, hardwired as opposed to wireless, pro zoom, pan & tilt...)
Links:
Vanguard internet software with kit (3 kit options):
http://www.x10.com/promotions/va11a_ed_ex_0716_2.html
http://www.x10.com/promotions/vk75a_ed_web_0119.html
http://www.x10.com/promotions/xx13a_...tcam_0807.html
USB adapter & camera kit w/Software (different than Vanguard):
http://www.x10.com/products/va11a_ed_mcpw_fb259.html
http://www.x10.com/products/xx20a_ed_3csuper_0123.html
Cameras:
http://www.x10.com/products/sc23a_ed_2c_0123.html
http://www.x10.com/products/xx17a_sp_3cm_fb199.html
Automation unit & software (2 bonus options):
http://www.x10.com/promotions/cm15a_...lert_0121.html
http://www.x10.com/promotions/cm15a_...lert_1130.html
No fee home security (calls a list of phones one after the other instead of the security company)
http://www.x10.com/promotions/ds7000...door_0717.html
http://www.x10.com/promotions/ds7000...ecam_2008.html
As far as software
it might be more involved to set up boostmobile because of the slow speed, but either way would likely involve using a macro recorder. It might be enough to use the X10 macros, but there are a number of them out there, including free ones.
If I remember well I have used automate years ago and it was the most full featured and easiest to learn and use automation software that I checked at the time. OK, I just looked it up and for the $995 they ask for now it better be the best (
http://www.download.com/AutoMate/300...-10000220.html ). I'm sure cheaper alternatives, such as $39.95 Workspace Macro Pro with it's “Pre-defined templates like... FTP upload/download “ would do the trick (
http://www.download.com/Workspace-Ma...dlpid=10719756 )
You might need to use windows 2000 or an nlited version of XP so as to avoid any of the silly XP pop up balloons or some such disrupting the macro.
(nlite let's You make Your own installation CD of winXP that can be made switchless, as in You don't have to enter any data during the actual installation, can remove windows components such as internet explorer, which eliminates great majority of viruses etc, and can include any software You use in the instalation disc itself so You don't have to install it afterwards. see:
Notice it is against Microsoft EULA to reverse engeneer etc, but the whole lawsuit a while ago was about being able to uninstall internet explorer from windows them being separate products and Microsoft trying to monopolize the browser market. To the best of My knowledge MS is aware of nlite and has not taken steps against it.
You could get the nlite settings file and make Your own instalation or get a CD that someone made.
For example TinyXP runs using 39 mb of ram and under 500 mb of install space on its initial boot.
The latest version I've seen is October 15, 2007, but You'll have to find Your own torrent of tinyxp at:
http://www.google.com
http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/nlite.html
http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/updatepack.html
http://www.ryanvm.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=511
http://www.nliteos.com/
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=100471
http://www.nliteos.com/addons/#10
http://addons.wordpress.com/addons/
http://powerpacker.siginetsoftware.com/index.php?download
http://www.driverpacks.net/