Motion webcam two webcams change order on boot /dev/video0 persistent linux ubuntu

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When using Motion http://www.lavrsen.dk/foswiki/bin/view/Motion with multiple usb webcams, sometimes the dev order of the webcams changes on reboot of a machine. 

i.e.  /dev/video0 becomes dev/video1

This can seriously stuff things up.  To overcome this, create a udev rule to lock/assign a device dev location.

First do a lsusb, notice that I have two webcams, one is built into the screen and the other is USB connected.

Take note of the ID of the webcam you want
i.e 045e:00f7


Now do a:
sudo touch /etc/udev/rules.d/25-name-video-devices.rules


Edit this file and enter the following:
SUBSYSTEM=="video4linux", BUS=="usb", SYSFS{idVendor}=="045e", SYSFS{idProduct}=="00f7", NAME="video5"


I assigned the webcam to give a default location of /dev/video5 so it would never conflict with other webcams fitted in the future (hopefully)

Don't forget to modify your ~/.motion/motion.conf file and change the video device to /dev/video5


What happens if you have two webcams and they are both the same?  Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Protect your identy from hackers on your webcam laptop

My laptop (Acer 5742) has a built-in webcam, however unlike my last laptop there is no operation LED and way of knowing if it is on or not.  Just in case someone did get into my system from outside and manage to switch on the webcam, I have constructed a tertiary level of protection just by using a piece of black tape.

Get a length of tape 2 inches long, fold one third over itself, stick side to sticky side.  Then mount it on the laptops webcam.

If you ever need to use the webcam, just fold the cover back.