OT: Video Blaster WebCam Plus

[aimcompute]

I'm interested in using a webcam to publish live snapshots of the view from my front yard to the web.  I have seen Creative Labs Video Blaster WebCam Plus, which sells for about 80 USD.  It appears to come with software for just this purpose, but as usual, it's hard to tell by reading the mfrs. claims, just how easy, how automated the features are.  Does anybody have any experience with this unit?  And also, is there a maximum length for a USB cable?      Thanks,   Tom C.