TrainsMag.com Reader Poll – February 9, 2004

[Bergie]

Here's your chance to give us some feedback on how we can improve your Rochelle Webcam viewing experience.

Today, the webcam serves live images at the rate of approximately one frame every three seconds. We can increase the stream rate to one frame every 1.5 seconds, but there's a tradeoff: Doing so will eat up more bandwidth, which means only half as many viewers could watch the live camera at any one time. This would mean viewers would get bumped off more quickly.

What do you prefer? Please vote then share your comments below.

Polls on Trains.com are not scientific and reflect only the opinions of the users who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be assumed to represent the opinions of Internet users in general, the readers of our magazines, nor the public as a whole. Bottom line, our polls are meant for fun and to stimulate conversation amongst our forum users.

[Anonymous]

A new frame every 1.5 seconds isn't that big of a difference from one frame every 3 seconds for the average individual viewer. However, cutting out half the audience is huge. The choice seems clear to me. Keep it like it is.

[DennisHeld]

I absolutely enjoy the Rochelle webcam. Let the most people enjoy it as possible. I would 'kill' to be able to get sound. Yes, I know, bandwidth. Or, even better, several other locations to choose from. Any chance of multiple sights????

[Anonymous]

Keep it as it is!! this way more of us can enjoy it!! thanks

[loopmaster]

if it ain`t broke, don`t fix it

[DennisHeld]

I already made a comment about giving the most people the chance to watch. But, I've always wanted to comment about the view of the webcam. What are the odds of getting some trees cut down on the left side of the view so we can see Global III?? Or knock down some houses on the right side to give a clear view of the BNSF approach?? I'm just kidding here. But....

[Anonymous]

Works great the way it is. Sound would be great but not at the loss of bandwith. Is it possible to get any of the signaling indications?

[Anonymous]

Keep it the way it is, but would it be possible to add the scanner traffic?

[espeefoamer]

The slight gain isn't worth the cost of losing half the viewers.Keep it just like it is.

[Anonymous]

Are there other webcams?

[Mike4321]

Would love to have other web cams to look at but to answer the ?. Keep it like it is . The more people that can enjoy it, the better. To cut down the # of viewers by 1/2 just so the remaining few can watch it at a faster rate isnt worth it. I think it is great & by the way , THANK YOU FOR HAVING IT AVAILABLE for so many people can enjoy it!!!!

[Anonymous]

From all the answers you gave rec'd, it seems pretty clear which choice is THE FAN'S CHOICE. Like one of the others, is there a chance of seeing other sites as well?
S.F. Ferroequinlogist

[paliz]

Keep it like it is, but I agree with the request to add the scanner traffic as well - that would be great...

[Anonymous]

I know I'm satisfied keeping it the way it is and from the comments posted, I think most people are.

[JoeKoh]

please keep as it is.its great.
stay safe
joe

[88gta350]

I've never been bumped from the webcam and never not been able to get on. Are there so many users on now that people are getting bumped? If so keep it the way it is. If there isn't any problem with the number of simultaneous users now, than double the rate. I'd love to be able to see the trains in more "real time". Sometimes the images are so far apart I can't even tell which direction the train is moving.

[snsgerds]

Three seconds per frame isn't bad; 1.5 would be better, but it is not worth the trade off of having half of the people not see anything at all. Keep it as it is.

[mikeyuhas]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 88gta350

I've never been bumped from the webcam and never not been able to get on. Are there so many users on now that people are getting bumped? If so keep it the way it is. If there isn't any problem with the number of simultaneous users now, than double the rate. I'd love to be able to see the trains in more "real time". Sometimes the images are so far apart I can't even tell which direction the train is moving.

At peak times during the day, it's really not unusual for webcam viewers to be bumped, sometimes after just a couple minutes. "Bumped" is perhaps too strong a word -- when the limit of simultaneous users is reached, the viewer who's been on longest just stops receiving the stream, with the last image left in place.

[brilondon]

I love the webcam but would like to see more locations and different regions shown. To answer your question I would like it to remain the same for more people to beable to see it.

[nkp779]

I think it is ok the way it is. but if it were possible to do it with out loosing half the veiwers then that would be great. Also yes the Scanner traffic would be good too. I would like you to set up a cam other places as well. Some place like Deshler,Ohio the Cross roads of the old B&O Now CSX their is a lot traffic their and a hot spot for a lot of railfans and a very nice park with a shelter house to watch the trains. I'm sure a lot of people on here would agree. maybe we could hav a pole to see what folks on here would like to see happen.I think if any of your staff have not been their thenyou should go their and check it out.
Rick D.

[Anonymous]

Keep it as is. Railfans are great people. Mabe soon we can all watch together at the same time. Let the goodtimes roll.

[cbmate]

Being a UK based railfan I thoroughly enjoy time spent on the Webcam, without it
I would not get my regular "US Rail-Fix" until my next bi-annual visit to your fantastic
country. Once every 3 seconds is far better than none at all. Long may you keep up the excellent service (& pleasure) you provide.

[Anonymous]

Keep it as is. Cut down some trees. Increase the number of trains. Add sound!!!

Just kidding!! Keep it as is.

[eolafan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cosf101102

Keep it the way it is, but would it be possible to add the scanner traffic?

[:p]Now there's a great idea that really wets my appetite!

[kb5yrk]

I love the web cam from Rochelle, especially since I went to college near there and now live in Texas. If increasing the speed from 1.5 to 3.0 seconds means half the people get to see the camera, would decreasing the frames from 3 to 6 seconds mean double the people could see it from the present number? Just a thought....

[Anonymous]

Hi to ALL Rail Buffs.Being in New Zealand (down the in south Pacific) Its great to watch the U.S.A TRAINS on your webcams! PLEASE KEEP IT THE WAY IT IS! It is of no great advantage to go 3sec, to 1.5sec,. The only way to go better whold be 25 f.p.s LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this is comeing to the home computer world.IT is used now in the Film world.
Cheers to One & All Thank You. See You Down Trackside Oneday Soon.Russruio,RRGW.

[Anonymous]

Unless there is a security issue, keep it the way it is. Sure it would be great to see the trains move with less of a gap, but not at the expense of loosing viewers. Keep up the good work. ?? more cams??

[DennisHeld]

Looks like a lot of people are looking for sound, signal or scanner info or more webcams, as am I. If you could use bandwidth to go from 3 to 1.5 seconds, could you use that bandwidth to get sound and keep the 3 seconds?? Here's another thought for any railroad PR people who may read this: I 've read that the Rochelle webcam is sponsored by the city of Rochelle. It would be great if a railroad, or two, or three, would sponsor their own webcams. They could be put on signal towers. Overlooking a yard. Takers????

[Anonymous]

Well .....I voted : "keep it the way it is"....It would be nice to see a better frame rate but, Not at the viewers sacrafice. I'm not a hightech computer wizzard , But possibly would another camera or two mounted next to the other camera be added & , Let's say have a choice which camera we could go to, Camera A, B, or C. With a counter for the amount of users per camera. But then your looking at an extra cost also. "Just a thought" . Like they're saying "If it aint broke don't fix it " & another cam site would be neat , How about the Chicago area , For example like near the old Conrail yard on the south side , Or along the rail corrider along the John F. Kennedy expressway where there is alot of Passenger & Freight trains.

[Anonymous]

I voted to leave everything as is. Let's not get greedy; give everybody a chance to use the web cam. I have never been to Rochelle, don't live anywhere near it-probably just like most readers. The net is our only source to this opportunity to view the trains. As is is GOOD!!!