Detecting movements with Motion
WHO GOES THERE?
The motion detector software, Motion, monitors the video signal from one or multiple cameras and is able to detect whether a significant part of the picture has changed, record and track movement, or launch arbitrary external commands to trigger other actions.
The free Motion [1] software, by Jeroen Vreeken and Kenneth Jahn Lavrsen, can help monitor your office or home while you are away. Motion takes photos and captures videos when movement occurs and, if needed, the computer running the software can mail or text you the images. You can install Motion locally or use a web interface to control it. If needed, the software can monitor multiple cameras.
The install on Ubuntu is relatively simple. Feisty Fawn (7.04) and Edgy Eft (6.10) include version 3.2.3 of the software in their Universe repositories. You also need to install the FFmpeg and nasm packages. Users with Ubuntu 6.10 and 6.06, Debian Sid, and Fedora Core 4 can use the latest version 3.2.7 of Motion. Users with Ubuntu Feisty Fawn will need to build from the source code to have the latest version. Users with SUSE (SUSE Linux 10.1 or openSUSE 10.2) will need to build Motion whatever, as the “Building Motion” box describes.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.