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Weather Station Hardware => Davis Instruments Weather Stations => Topic started by: Wheelsandroads on May 16, 2018, 05:05:06 PM

Title: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Wheelsandroads on May 16, 2018, 05:05:06 PM
Hi all,

I’m a total newbie with a Vantage Pro 2 and Weatherlink IP. Got everything up and working today, and was pretty happy until I fired up the Weatherlink software. Honestly felt like I’d time warped back to the 90s. So clunky and awful. My want/wish is to see all my data online both current, and historical, and then also to download it into excel on a regular basis to play around with it. The only options I’ve discovered so far are:

1/ Use the horrible Weatherlink software. Download to txt file every week (I’m on 5-min logging) and then convert to excel. Not ideal since I have to be on my PC every week (what if I’m sick, or don’t have it with me?) plus the whole conversion process isn’t ideal. And yeah, that 90s feeling  :-P

2/ Use Weatherlink.com. It seems ok and will extend my download intervals, but it looks like I have to pay every month (on top of everything $$$ I just bought) to get the graphing and download to csv options that I want.

Other options?

Would love to get some recommendations from the experts!

Nina
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Old Tele man on May 16, 2018, 05:43:32 PM
Can you say "...DOS-based..."? Sure you can!
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: chief-david on May 16, 2018, 05:48:34 PM
Yes it is from 1995. It is needed for set up.

There are alternatives.

I am a fan of Weatherdisplay. You can set up your own site  with a template or your design. and use it to send info very fast.

Then we will all get into the discussion of VirtalVP and run both at once.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: ValentineWeather on May 16, 2018, 07:05:35 PM
Didn't they just release a 2018 version? Called WL2  or something like that. There was a thread here somewhere about it.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: ValentineWeather on May 16, 2018, 07:09:08 PM
Never mind it was just update on website called WeatherLink.Com 2.0
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Bushman on May 16, 2018, 07:16:37 PM
Actually, most software in 1995 was much better.  :)
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: ValentineWeather on May 16, 2018, 07:50:08 PM
Lot's of stuff was made better in 80's & 90's. When most was being made at home not overseas. Not sure about software but its not unusual for appliances like refrigerators still chugging along from the early 80's, while now seems we are very lucky to get 10 years out of anything new.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: KD4PYR on May 16, 2018, 10:12:43 PM
I got a pretty good chuckle from your post mentioning 1995 software.  I have been running Davis hardware and software since August 1, 1995. I went with your option 1.  I have set up the WeatherLink software to save the 2 day archive a few times a day and I wrote some VBScript that is run by Windows scheduler every 15 minutes to read and parse the text file and store the new entries in a MySQL database. The script could be easily modified to transfer the data to an Excel file. I would be glad to share the scripts and settings with you, if you like.  Here is a link to my data lookup page. http://www.kd4pyr.net/dblookup.htm

Rick
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Mattk on May 16, 2018, 11:05:27 PM
If it works then there's nothing wrong with 1995 software or 1985 software for that matter. And the other thing that was very true before people got tangled up with over hyped smart phones and now Windows 10 is if it's not broke then not need to fix it.

WeatherLink (the software) will not apparently get an update as unfortunately there must not be many thinking people left at Davis who now think everybody lives in the cloud and everybody will now be controlled by the cloud clowns. 
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Wheelsandroads on May 17, 2018, 02:25:40 AM
Thank you all for your replies! I’m located in France so I didn’t catch up until this AM.

By the way I have no issues with hardware from the 90’s, or 80’s, or 50’s or any year. In fact I have a microwave from late 80’s that’s still working and which I use everyday (although admittedly I do stand several feet away when it runs, just for good measure). But software from that era is not something I get nostalgic about. I did love Lotus 1-2-3 back in the day, but am very happy with the new version of Excel.

@chief-David - thanks for the tip on Weatherdisplay! I will check it out.

@KD4PYR - a Microsoft script...of course! Brilliant idea. I haven’t written one in years, but yes I’d love to check it out. Should I PM you?

Nina
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: WiFiLogger on May 17, 2018, 03:25:00 AM
You can open free account on WeatherLink.com 2.0
Using WheatherLink PC you can send data there.
If you have newest version of WL PC - February 28, 2018: WeatherLink for Windows Update, 6.0.4
You can download archive records  from WL2 from your free account.
There is a lot of options to download data from console and send it to the Internet, but only a few can care about archive records with export functions of those.

In my opinion for archive records WheaverLink PC is very good. It's store it properly, gives easy access etc.

My WiFiLogger can work as WL PC and export data to WL.com 2.0. Next using your own software, or WL PC 6.0.4 you can download archive records from WL 2.0.
https://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=34312.0
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Wheelsandroads on May 17, 2018, 04:29:12 AM
You can open free account on WeatherLink.com 2.0
Using WheatherLink PC you can send data there.
If you have newest version of WL PC - February 28, 2018: WeatherLink for Windows Update, 6.0.4
You can download archive records  from WL2 from your free account.

I did open a free account, but I did not see any option to download from the web without upgrading to PRO version?
The only option I saw was downloading via Weatherlink software on my PC, which can only do txt file?

Nina
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: WiFiLogger on May 17, 2018, 04:46:00 AM

The only option I saw was downloading via Weatherlink software on my PC, which can only do txt file?

Nina

Yes, You are right. Only txt. I recommend WL PC and WL 2.0 because it has best transmission system, for Excel is useless.
WiFiLogger has CSV file.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Mattk on May 17, 2018, 05:09:19 AM
The WeatherLink Export records .txt file imports into excel fine
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Dane_B on May 17, 2018, 07:33:41 AM
I bought my original Weatherlink software back in 94. It came with a 5.25" floppy :shock:. Version 2.1, I never owned v1.0. I think it did exist. I am using 6.0.3 right now. Anyway, I only use it for downloading the Data from the Data-logger once every 15 days and to set the EST or DST time on my one older station (Vantage pro) not 2.

I'm not even sure why I do that as I use Cumulus 1.9.4 (1099) and am very happy with that. All of the data is stored there in the data directory at the archive interval for the Weatherlink Data-logger. That text data is easily importable into Excel.

For Me anyway, I'm not sure of what the advantage of pumping this info up to the Davis site is other than the fact the IP module can do it sans computer.

For safe keeping, I use Cobian Backup to do a daily backup of the Cumulus data to my google drive.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: vinceskahan on May 17, 2018, 02:43:32 PM
Other options?

There are 'many' pieces of software that you can host which look much better.   Hundreds and hundreds of people use weewx to name one solution.  Works great on a raspberry pi, so you're talking $50 max for the computer itself.

Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Wheelsandroads on May 18, 2018, 02:50:15 AM
Thanks again everyone. Lots of good options here.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Aardvark on May 18, 2018, 10:30:49 AM
There are a quite a few alternatives.  I like Weatherdisplay.   It has a lot of options and a lot of information.   The author regularly updates with new features and fixes. He responds quickly to any question or request.  That is a huge plus .   

Cumulus is another,  and really if you do an internet search for this:    https://www.manula.com/manuals/pws/davis-kb/1/en/topic/third-party-software     for example
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Aardvark on May 19, 2018, 10:03:45 AM
Davisnet announced earlier this year that they won't be doing any improvements on their software , they are going cloud .     You still need Weatherlink installed on your computer. you need it to set things if you have an Envoy rather than console.  Console you see what you have and can set it from the console,  Envoy, nope.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: dalecoy on May 19, 2018, 04:29:58 PM
Davisnet announced earlier this year that they won't be doing any improvements on their software , they are going cloud .     You still need Weatherlink installed on your computer. you need it to set things if you have an Envoy rather than console.  Console you see what you have and can set it from the console,  Envoy, nope.

Some of us oldfolks are content with using WeatherLink software to collect and archive data, and upload to our own sites (easily understood, non-fancy presentation), to Weather Underground, APRS, WeatherLink.com 2.0, etc.

http://www.thecoys.net/weather/Current_Vantage_Pro_Plus.htm

There are very few improvements that could be made to the existing WeatherLink software that might not break existing functions that are dependable and "just work".  Changes to make a resulting personal-website display look "non-1995" would actually be completely new additions.

That's something that Davis does not need to do - because, as pointed out in this topic, there are MANY alternatives to choose from.  Why should Davis duplicate the work that others have done?
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Aardvark on May 20, 2018, 02:00:05 AM
Davisnet announced earlier this year that they won't be doing any improvements on their software , they are going cloud .     You still need Weatherlink installed on your computer. you need it to set things if you have an Envoy rather than console.  Console you see what you have and can set it from the console,  Envoy, nope.

Some of us oldfolks are content with using WeatherLink software to collect and archive data, and upload to our own sites (easily understood, non-fancy presentation), to Weather Underground, APRS, WeatherLink.com 2.0, etc.

http://www.thecoys.net/weather/Current_Vantage_Pro_Plus.htm

There are very few improvements that could be made to the existing WeatherLink software that might not break existing functions that are dependable and "just work".  Changes to make a resulting personal-website display look "non-1995" would actually be completely new additions.

That's something that Davis does not need to do - because, as pointed out in this topic, there are MANY alternatives to choose from.  Why should Davis duplicate the work that others have done?
  and I would assume on a similar note, there are some people who live for summer because they love to be bitten by mosquitoes.   Maybe you are thrilled with the current Weatherlink 6.0.3 and that is fine, but there are a faction that want more
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Mattk on May 20, 2018, 03:00:06 AM
want more .... What?
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: dalecoy on May 20, 2018, 10:35:29 AM
  and I would assume on a similar note, there are some people who live for summer because they love to be bitten by mosquitoes.   Maybe you are thrilled with the current Weatherlink 6.0.3 and that is fine, but there are a faction that want more

Please notice that I used the word "content" when talking about WeatherLink software.  And please note that I didn't throw stones (or mosquitoes) at other software, nor at the many folks who want more modern appearance when posting to their own website.

Prodata lists 4 software alternatives.  You use Weatherdisplay.  Perhaps you would help this topic by describing Weatherdisplay benefits other than its much more modern appearance on a personal website.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: mikemaps on May 20, 2018, 11:35:02 AM
I use Weather Solution which looks even older tha Weatherlink. It truly looks like a dos based 1980’s piece of software. So why do I use it? It has the best monthly & annual reports, virtual clones of the NOAA reports. Also all pertinent info is on the screen & you can easily see it from across the room.  Also, it’s reasonably easy to modify data if need be.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: SnowHiker on May 20, 2018, 01:08:25 PM
I used Weatherlink up until the time I dropped Windows all together.  Unlike most I don't post real-time to the web (yeah, I'm sure it's some kind of sin to have a PWS and not share real time info with the world, though I'm sure if I did the PWS police would complain that my station reads a quarter of a degree too high, or something, because I don't have this sensor or that fan and such).  As I don't even keep it connected full time to a computer, I found WL to be the best for downloading and archiving.  Weewx is great for Linux, but it doesn't record the high and low temp per archive interval, for example, the way WL will when downloading from the logger.  Weewx, and most other software I've looked at, seems to expect a full time connection.

I've looked at the others over the years, and found WL to be the best for periodic downloading and archiving the data, for the climatological (NOAA type) reports, and, as far as I could find, unmatched graphing capability.  But then, I prefer many things that are a couple of decades or so old, like trucks.  Despite some advances, many older things just seem to be more practical and robust, even if not as flashy.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: WiFiLogger on May 21, 2018, 06:08:25 PM
I used Weatherlink up until the time I dropped Windows all together.  Unlike most I don't post real-time to the web (yeah, I'm sure it's some kind of sin to have a PWS and not share real time info with the world, though I'm sure if I did the PWS police would complain that my station reads a quarter of a degree too high, or something, because I don't have this sensor or that fan and such).  As I don't even keep it connected full time to a computer, I found WL to be the best for downloading and archiving.  Weewx is great for Linux, but it doesn't record the high and low temp per archive interval, for example, the way WL will when downloading from the logger.  Weewx, and most other software I've looked at, seems to expect a full time connection.

I've looked at the others over the years, and found WL to be the best for periodic downloading and archiving the data, for the climatological (NOAA type) reports, and, as far as I could find, unmatched graphing capability.  But then, I prefer many things that are a couple of decades or so old, like trucks.  Despite some advances, many older things just seem to be more practical and robust, even if not as flashy.

I agree for real time data there are solutions, for archive records WL is really very good. Clear view, database(in wlk files), that makes WL irreplaceable.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Bushman on May 21, 2018, 06:57:47 PM
Except WLK file format sucks.  Seriously.  One would have thought that even in 1995 Davis would have used a reasonable format.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Mattk on May 21, 2018, 08:43:00 PM
Except WLK file format sucks.  Seriously.  One would have thought that even in 1995 Davis would have used a reasonable format.

What format would you have suggested?
What is the problem with the WLK format?
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: dalecoy on May 21, 2018, 08:44:50 PM
Except WLK file format sucks.  Seriously.  One would have thought that even in 1995 Davis would have used a reasonable format.

...and why would Davis change that in 2018 (thus breaking other existing software)?  An excellent tool (WLKReaderWriter) exists to convert .wlk files to whatever format you want. 
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Bushman on May 21, 2018, 11:28:19 PM
Really?  You can EASILY convert .WLK to any SQL format?  Or CSV?  Back in the 90's there were a good many formats that still are in use today.  All of which are far better than .WLK ever was or will be.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: SnowHiker on May 22, 2018, 12:14:56 AM
Really?  You can EASILY convert .WLK to any SQL format?  Or CSV?  Back in the 90's there were a good many formats that still are in use today.  All of which are far better than .WLK ever was or will be.
I routinely converted the WL database to CSV.  I have all my archive records from all previous years in csv, converted from WL, without using any third party converters.  WL provides a way to export any time period of records.  As far as I could find, it only exported them directly to text files, but they were formatted so that they could then be easily pasted to a spreadsheet and saved as csv.  I considered it pretty easy.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Bushman on May 22, 2018, 12:51:32 AM
How are you converting from WLK to CSV?
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: SnowHiker on May 22, 2018, 01:26:26 AM
How are you converting from WLK to CSV?
As of this year I no longer have WL to give a step-by-step as I have dumped Windows altogether and now on Linux.  So, going by memory, and someone can correct me, you can go to "browse records", then there is a menu item to "export records", and it'll give you a "from" and "to" day/month/year to select, you can give it a name, then click "export".

As I mentioned above, the records are then exported to a text file, when can them be copied and pasted to a spreadsheet.  You may have to tell the spreadsheet that they are space separated values if it doesn't automatically recognize the format, then save the spreadsheet.  Technically maybe it's not .csv, but as far as I understand it's the same for all practical purposes, and the data is analyzed and manipulated the same.  Maybe I'm wrong, but I use the terms "spreadsheet" and "csv" interchangeably.

As I say, it's pretty easy, but I have to admit I don't know why they don't just simply export directly to .csv instead of text, unless I'm missing it.  The NOAA reports can also be exported and are fine as text files, but to me I don't see much value in saving the database in text format.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Mattk on May 22, 2018, 01:45:32 AM
Yes very easy to export "spreadsheet" compatible files from WL, .txt export file behaves exactly the same way as a .csv would, both being ASCII files anyway. No software system of any worth would store "raw" download type data in any for of ASCII file so being able to export a binary format to and ASCII/export type file is very standard stuff.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: johnd on May 22, 2018, 03:13:24 AM
As I say, it's pretty easy, but I have to admit I don't know why they don't just simply export directly to .csv instead of text, unless I'm missing it.

It's actually a tab-delimited file IIRC rather than comma-delimited or 'plain' text (which I suppose would be space-delimited), but that typically works just as well for importing into spreadsheets. 'CSV' seems in practice to cover use of a range of delimiters and not just comma.

I really struggle to understand Bushman's problem: The wlk format was obviously designed to be as compact as possible, back in the day when large hard drives were expensive for hobbyist users and, if accessing a remote logger, bandwidth limitations were also a major problem. It's debatable as to when Davis should have introduced a breaking change to the format but you can see why they stuck with a format that is compact, works well and is relatively easy for any programmer to read and convert into the format of their choice.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Mattk on May 22, 2018, 06:18:45 AM
Except WLK file format sucks.  Seriously.  One would have thought that even in 1995 Davis would have used a reasonable format.

Just to add some facts to the discussion WLK files did not exist in 1995 as WLK files (as we know them today) only came into being with WeatherLink 5.2 or latter as the database files pre WeatherLink 5.1 were in fact a different format (and a different file name) hence the option still in WL that not many new users would ever had to use or maybe older users even remember using is [Import Database files], which was used to convert the old database format to the new database (.WLK) format. Old file format names were YYYY-.MM.sss where the extension .sss was the first 3 characters of the station name.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Aardvark on May 22, 2018, 10:29:11 AM
i downloaded from Weatherlink 2.0 all the data I sent them. they have you select the time frame, then send you a link to download it in Cvs format.  I noticed it was in 1 minute intervals,

I am of the opinion they are moving to only cloud support and eventually the loggers -serial, usb will be less commonly available, with the push to the IP.   Considering they can charge you not only for the logger that is 100 dollars more than the serial or usb logger  and then charge you for the service to display your data is pretty good marketing. Kind of like you go out to eat, pay for the food, but you have to pay more to actually eat the food.

I don't know if this business strategy is all that great  or if it helps other businesses develop their product in such a manner that it helps us out.   If I knew that back in 1993, perhaps I might have opted for a different hardware,  I don't know.   What I do know is that the 3rd party software able to fill that gap. 

I like Weatherdisplay because it has the ability to be used by different hardware companies.  you are not tied to just Davis .   

I have a mac so I am limited.   I use Weathercat because I can export the data .  I take the data , use Excel to put it into a spread sheet.  I calculate the average, max and min, count and other things and save it and have multiple graphs showing change.    I also have other charts that I put in the data .    For me it helps, then I save it.  I have data way back.  I just don't put it up onthe net anymore.   No one cares about it but me.

Good luck
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Bushman on May 22, 2018, 10:47:55 PM
Yes very easy to export "spreadsheet" compatible files from WL, .txt export file behaves exactly the same way as a .csv would, both being ASCII files anyway. No software system of any worth would store "raw" download type data in any for of ASCII file so being able to export a binary format to and ASCII/export type file is very standard stuff.

This comment, like several others misses the point:  there is no easy connection to .WLK files.  Heck, ODBC was available before WLK was the Davis storage format.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Mattk on May 23, 2018, 12:12:43 AM
Yes very easy to export "spreadsheet" compatible files from WL, .txt export file behaves exactly the same way as a .csv would, both being ASCII files anyway. No software system of any worth would store "raw" download type data in any for of ASCII file so being able to export a binary format to and ASCII/export type file is very standard stuff.

This comment, like several others misses the point:  there is no easy connection to .WLK files.  Heck, ODBC was available before WLK was the Davis storage format.

Now you have changed tack down a connectivity path  #-o Honestly you appear a little lost and wandering around in circles with this one!
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: SnowHiker on May 23, 2018, 01:02:11 AM
How are you converting from WLK to CSV?
I answered this question as you asked it, even though you should have figured it out from the previous post before you asked it.

This comment, like several others misses the point:  there is no easy connection to .WLK files.  Heck, ODBC was available before WLK was the Davis storage format.
So, what exactly is your point?  You don't like WL, so there can be nothing good about it, and no one else should like it either, and that no one should take your questions at face value?


Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Bushman on May 23, 2018, 08:46:55 AM
Yes, you answered that you are NOT converting from WLK, you are using another download method.  Case closed on that one.

As for ODBC, I was merely suggesting that the tech to connect to a WLK or other file has been around for decades.  Davis did not go this route.  Nor did Davis use any of the still supported formats that were around in 1995.  I've seen a lot of software like Davis' over the years:  some programmer thinks his way is better than others.  Andrew Tannenbaum would be proud.

Thankfully nowadays there are cool devices that will write directly to  SQL DBs etc.  And given Davis' history, I can see why they have no interest in updating their software which was pretty bad in 1995 and remains nothing but an example of poor design.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: SnowHiker on May 23, 2018, 02:31:06 PM
Yes very easy to export "spreadsheet" compatible files from WL, .txt export file behaves exactly the same way as a .csv would, both being ASCII files anyway. No software system of any worth would store "raw" download type data in any for of ASCII file so being able to export a binary format to and ASCII/export type file is very standard stuff.

This comment, like several others misses the point:  there is no easy connection to .WLK files.  Heck, ODBC was available before WLK was the Davis storage format.

Now you have changed tack down a connectivity path  #-o Honestly you appear a little lost and wandering around in circles with this one!

You're correct, he is lost and wandering around in circles.  I explained how I save WLK files as CSV, then he asked me how I'm converting WLK to CSV.  I was stupid enough to assume he was being serious, and not just trying to cause trouble, and that he just didn't know that they could be converted, or saved in a different format, or whatever if it's semantics he's attempting to play games with now. I should have known it wasn't worth dealing with when his question had been effectively answered before it was asked.

Actually, I still think he didn't understand, and now rather than admit that, he's running around in his little circles trying to make like we're the ones who are too dense to understand that WL really doesn't meet our requirements even if we think it does.  :roll:  It doesn't appear to me that he is really serious or adding anything of substance to the discussion, if so he would have done so without chasing his tail and yapping at people's heels.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: SnowHiker on May 23, 2018, 02:42:50 PM
Yes, you answered that you are NOT converting from WLK, you are using another download method.  Case closed on that one.

I almost missed this, he's not talking about converting or saving, but downloading?  I don't upload my data, so the only downloading I did was from the datalogger to WL.  As I mentioned previously, I didn't share my data for various reasons, I didn't maintain a full time internet connection for one.  I simply saved the data locally to the computer which, again, was easily saved in CSV as well as WLK.  Still don't see the big problem.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: dalecoy on May 23, 2018, 04:45:38 PM
This comment, like several others misses the point:  there is no easy connection to .WLK files.  Heck, ODBC was available before WLK was the Davis storage format.

Not wishing to prolong this mostly-off-topic discussion - but I don't understand your point. 

ODBC is a standard application programming interface (API) for accessing database management systems (DBMS).
WLK is a file format.  It's not a database.

Are you suggesting that WeatherLink software should have used a database (rather than files with compressed content), and have provided an ODBC driver? 

As johnd pointed out, databases require a lot of disk space and a lot of physical memory.  With a target market of personal weather enthusiasts (in those days), perhaps using Windows 95 or Windows 98......

I think my decision would have been to go with proprietary compressed storage files.  But of course, that's a tradeoff decision.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Aardvark on May 23, 2018, 06:45:09 PM
https://www.davisnet.com/blog/whats-new-weatherlink/?utm_source=Weather+Club+Newsletter&utm_campaign=dcca4145fe-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_05_23&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_aafe1df439-dcca4145fe-187229681 (https://www.davisnet.com/blog/whats-new-weatherlink/?utm_source=Weather+Club+Newsletter&utm_campaign=dcca4145fe-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_05_23&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_aafe1df439-dcca4145fe-187229681)
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Old Tele man on May 24, 2018, 12:04:10 AM
But what about those of us who ONLY want to use WL-IP to get our data over to CWOP?
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Aardvark on May 24, 2018, 02:23:36 AM
But what about those of us who ONLY want to use WL-IP to get our data over to CWOP?

then you do not have to worry about that. You go to setting which is a wrench  and check the boxes.  However... I do recall Davis saying they were going to take all the wl1.0 accts and move them to 2.0 sometime during the 2nd quarter of the year, which we are there.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Old Tele man on May 24, 2018, 11:25:46 AM
But what about those of us who ONLY want to use WL-IP to get our data over to CWOP?

then you do not have to worry about that. You go to setting which is a wrench  and check the boxes.  However... I do recall Davis saying they were going to take all the wl1.0 accts and move them to 2.0 sometime during the 2nd quarter of the year, which we are there.
Yep, that is what I was alluding to.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Aardvark on May 24, 2018, 12:08:46 PM
But what about those of us who ONLY want to use WL-IP to get our data over to CWOP?

then you do not have to worry about that. You go to setting which is a wrench  and check the boxes.  However... I do recall Davis saying they were going to take all the wl1.0 accts and move them to 2.0 sometime during the 2nd quarter of the year, which we are there.
Yep, that is what I was alluding to.
it isn't the best of both yet.   Unfortunately,  WL2.0  doesn't have the same setup that allows anyone to go  to the online location and see someone's data without registering and all that.   They do have abbreviated information .  meh.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: johnd on May 24, 2018, 12:20:59 PM
it isn't the best of both yet.   Unfortunately,  WL2.0  doesn't have the same setup that allows anyone to go  to the online location and see someone's data without registering and all that.   They do have abbreviated information .  meh.

Being able to share data with other invited  (via email) users should be available in the next month or so. It seems to be scheduled to happen BEFORE the mass migration to 2.0 happens. It's already available for EM, but for this sharing has to be requested via the EM mobile app. I haven't heard how it will happen for other types of station - hopefully via the web app.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Aardvark on May 24, 2018, 01:05:04 PM
it isn't the best of both yet.   Unfortunately,  WL2.0  doesn't have the same setup that allows anyone to go  to the online location and see someone's data without registering and all that.   They do have abbreviated information .  meh.

Being able to share data with other invited  (via email) users should be available in the next month or so. It seems to be scheduled to happen BEFORE the mass migration to 2.0 happens. It's already available for EM, but for this sharing has to be requested via the EM mobile app. I haven't heard how it will happen for other types of station - hopefully via the web app.

Somehow I activated EM on my version of the online,not the app. that requires another.  I happen to have two IP loggers. Ah.. I jumped the gun and put one on an Envoy and the other console.  so one is version 1 the other 2.  MEH..    This is the time for anyone with  a 2nd/3rd party programming to jump into this.   

I am wondering if eventually Davis will drop the serial and USB loggers
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: johnd on May 24, 2018, 01:12:38 PM
Somehow I activated EM on my version of the online,not the app. that requires another.  I happen to have two IP loggers. Ah.. I jumped the gun and put one on an Envoy and the other console.  so one is version 1 the other 2.  MEH..    This is the time for anyone with  a 2nd/3rd party programming to jump into this.   

Sorry, I can't quite parse that stream of consciousness  :-( . Can you try explaining again please?
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Mattk on May 24, 2018, 04:29:49 PM
Quote
....I am wondering if eventually Davis will drop the serial and USB loggers ....

That won't happen
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Aardvark on May 24, 2018, 07:36:02 PM
Quote
....I am wondering if eventually Davis will drop the serial and USB loggers ....

That won't happen

Glad to know that,  I will  put that information right up there with the VP3.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: Bushman on May 24, 2018, 10:19:03 PM
This comment, like several others misses the point:  there is no easy connection to .WLK files.  Heck, ODBC was available before WLK was the Davis storage format.

Not wishing to prolong this mostly-off-topic discussion - but I don't understand your point. 

ODBC is a standard application programming interface (API) for accessing database management systems (DBMS).
WLK is a file format.  It's not a database.

Are you suggesting that WeatherLink software should have used a database (rather than files with compressed content), and have provided an ODBC driver? 

As johnd pointed out, databases require a lot of disk space and a lot of physical memory.  With a target market of personal weather enthusiasts (in those days), perhaps using Windows 95 or Windows 98......

I think my decision would have been to go with proprietary compressed storage files.  But of course, that's a tradeoff decision.

My last comment on this - honestly.  Yes, you do not understand ODBC.  Common misunderstanding.  ODBC is not restricted to just SQL databases; you can use CSV, text files, etc.  Info here:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Database_Connectivity

Back in the day I worked with Borland, MicroRim, etc. on all of this stuff and even with proprietary databases, you could usually have an API to access the data directly.  Proprietary compressed databases are nothing but a headache. I still have some clients who use them now and  what they gain in speed (like you really need that for Davis weather data??) they lose in interoperability.  BTW when I used WLK I had all sorts of neat routines to regular extract until J Ruys came up with the SQL interface.  Sadly, that was an unsupported, one-off.  Nice work though.

Like I said - I'm done.  WLK files are archaic, as is the software.  IMHO of course.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: dalecoy on May 24, 2018, 10:53:46 PM
My last comment on this - honestly.  Yes, you do not understand ODBC.  Common misunderstanding.  ODBC is not restricted to just SQL databases; you can use CSV, text files, etc.  Info here:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Database_Connectivity

Back in the day I worked with Borland, MicroRim, etc. on all of this stuff and even with proprietary databases, you could usually have an API to access the data directly.  Proprietary compressed databases are nothing but a headache. I still have some clients who use them now and  what they gain in speed (like you really need that for Davis weather data??) they lose in interoperability.  BTW when I used WLK I had all sorts of neat routines to regular extract until J Ruys came up with the SQL interface.  Sadly, that was an unsupported, one-off.  Nice work though.

Like I said - I'm done.  WLK files are archaic, as is the software.  IMHO of course.

Sorry, I can't resist answering your "you do not understand" comment.....

I understand ODBC.  I never said SQL.  I did say "database management systemS"

And, an ODBC driver could easily be written to access any .WLK file (singular).  Any single .WLK file can be viewed as a database management system. 

I do quite agree with your comment about proprietary systems.  And that .wlk is archaic.  And yes, hanging onto them for too long is a big headache.  [But I never said that compressed files like .WLK were needed for speed in a weather system]

Footnote: not that it matters, but I have an MS in Computer Science, hold a CCP in Systems Programming, and spent most of my career in IT management and QA.  So, like you, I have "been there and done that".

Enough of this nit-picky off-topic stuff.  Alternatives are available for the choosing.
Title: Re: Weatherlink software seems like it’s from 1995...alternatives?
Post by: clweb on July 29, 2018, 10:28:33 AM
What is a pity, is thet the mouse wheel is not supported. When editing data you must use the arrow keys to walk through the list.
That is 1995 design.