PHP with or without Ethernet Sheild

Using Arduino Programming Questions
1

Ok, I"m in the planing stages of my first arduino project.
I'm going to make a web controlled web cam (pan/tilt via web)
I was going to use a the ethernet shield and a web server to interact with the arduino,
BUT
tonight i've been reading about communicating with the arduino directly with PHP and the serial port.

why would one use the ethernet shield when they can just use the serial port.
the only reason i can think of is, you don't want to have the arduino right next(usb length) to the PC, am I missing anything?
is there a bottleneck with the serial port over the ethernet shield?

OH yea, btw i love the Marquee feature :slight_smile:

2

why would one use the ethernet shield when they can just use the serial port.

With an ethernet shield, the arduino can be used standalone without a computer.

3

Ha! makes sense :slight_smile:

4

lol, and u will not believe me, but that question was a good one for me, lol.

so, justxtreme, how advanced is your project? cuz i'm interesed in the same thing as you.
at now i'm focusing in the pan tilt system http://arduino.cc/forum/index.php/topic,53909.0.html

so if you want, we can share info for more more sync. the final steps for my will be using the ethernet shield for move it by web using php.