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gsownsby
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« on: October 22, 2009, 07:29:06 AM » |
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This is not a new article but I bumped into it while doing a little research. It provides some insight as to how VWS was developed: http://sine.ni.com/cs/app/doc/p/id/cs-53 |
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VWS/WeatherFlash/WeatherLinkIP/Davis Vantage VUE/LaCrosse WS-2310 TWC/HeavyWeather/Panasonic Webcam/CW5013
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Downlinerz2
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« Reply #1 on: October 22, 2009, 02:45:10 PM » |
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Interesting behind the scenes look at something a lot of us uses every day. Thanks!!  |
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sam2004gp
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« Reply #2 on: October 23, 2009, 07:24:06 AM » |
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After reading that, I am still confused about how it's created.  |
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wxtech
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« Reply #3 on: October 23, 2009, 08:02:00 AM » |
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More examples from National. http://www.ni.com/labview/whatis/LabView must be similiar to LabWindows. Click on the 'next' button for examples. LabView allows the computer to control instruments/processes. Not just read the data from the instruments. |
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Al Washington, Lexington, Ga., Davis VP2+ WLIP 5.9.2 w/soil temp, VP(original) serial. Acu-Rite 1015/1010/639/1055 5-n-1/3-n-1, bridge beta test group,
NWS Coop station=LXTG1, Fischer Porter, SRG, MMTS.
CoCoRaHS=GA-OG-1 manual & electronic ET gauges. CWOP=CW2074. XP with serial port, VWS v14.01p0, laptop with Win7 and USB ports.
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gsownsby
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« Reply #4 on: October 23, 2009, 10:17:36 AM » |
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Sam,
The NI development software kind of weaves together known inputs of data, communications protocols (Comm ports/USB etc.), and processes data based on established logic and generates output. Using NI, Ed at Ambient took known inputs and data sources, created the logic for processing and the desired outputs. Once designed, I believe that the NI software actually writes all or a good portion of the program code need for VWS*. C or C++ language is often used for PC-based programs which use complied C-type code resulting in the vws_install.exe that we're all use to seeing. From what I read, the NI software is even better than the processes/programming available using C-type programs.
I have seen NI-type softwares before and they are truly amazing. Basically you can take a handfull of chips, identify what chips you're going to be using to NI and the design on-screen visually the connections (data flows) between the chips, the timing of those flows, the logic, the outputs, etc. You can even test the operation through a virtual model of the device itself.
They even program your kitchen toaster with NI-type software. A mechanical thermostat used to contain the logic so that when the metal blade started bending at a certain temperature it broke the flow of electricity to the heating circuit. Now a thermo sensor monitors the heat and a programmed processor chip watches the time and the temperature to know when to trigger the power controller to turn of the heating elements.
We used to breadboard IC circuits all the time in college but now you can do it with software so designs can be tested and tweaked before you ever touch the hardware. I think VWS was designed using NI-software and the actual computer software flowed from that process as well.
I actually purchased a program last fall that helps me design web applications. As long as I can define the data, the process, trigger events, and the desired output, the program pretty much writes the computer code which is compiled into a PC/web-installable software system.
*Having said all that, these softwares have to be used by some very smart, savvy people like Ed at Ambient. These types of softwares free you up to focus on the process and not get all lost in the gnat's whiskers.
Sorry for the diatribe...but NI-type software is truly truly amazing stuff.
Gary
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VWS/WeatherFlash/WeatherLinkIP/Davis Vantage VUE/LaCrosse WS-2310 TWC/HeavyWeather/Panasonic Webcam/CW5013
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wxtech
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« Reply #5 on: October 23, 2009, 10:40:58 AM » |
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We used HP computers or later used PCs with GPIB interfaces (HPIB/IEEE-488) to control lab instruments. Nothing was plug-n-play type interfaces back then. We hard coded the instrument control.
Then some of the labs migrated to Labview and in the 80s some process coding could be point and click on screen. Later it became more point/click, less coding.
Now I use Parallax Basic Stamp 2P microcontrollers to interface PC to instruments or create stand alone devices. The BS2P is compatible with the I2C 1-wire weather sensors. They are programmed in PBasic. My budget can't justify going to later microcontrollers like the Parallax Propeller. It's just a hobby.
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Al Washington, Lexington, Ga., Davis VP2+ WLIP 5.9.2 w/soil temp, VP(original) serial. Acu-Rite 1015/1010/639/1055 5-n-1/3-n-1, bridge beta test group,
NWS Coop station=LXTG1, Fischer Porter, SRG, MMTS.
CoCoRaHS=GA-OG-1 manual & electronic ET gauges. CWOP=CW2074. XP with serial port, VWS v14.01p0, laptop with Win7 and USB ports.
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sam2004gp
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« Reply #6 on: October 23, 2009, 12:00:15 PM » |
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Okay I got ya Gary. When I went to college in 88. We were still programming with Fortran and Pascal. There was no such thing as these development packages they have nowadays. When you wanted something done, you had to hand code it yourself. No shortcuts.  |
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Axelvold
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« Reply #7 on: October 23, 2009, 12:04:41 PM » |
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I remember when I got my first computer, think it was 1978 and the computer was an ABC80 from Luxor. Programming was done in basic, those were the days   |
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« Last Edit: October 23, 2009, 12:07:10 PM by Axelvold »
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Lars Magnusson Axelvold / Sweden 55° 57' 41" N / 13° 6' 1" E WX Station: Davis Vantage Pro2 Plus   |
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SlowModem
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« Reply #8 on: October 23, 2009, 12:10:22 PM » |
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I can remember doing the Flying Walloons on a Tandy in basic.
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wxtech
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« Reply #9 on: October 23, 2009, 12:30:41 PM » |
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I can remember doing the Flying Walloons on a Tandy in basic.
Free to a good home: 12 three-ring binders of manuals on Xenix & Fortran for the Tandy II/16 (two sixteen) computer. Also some 8 inch floppies. A box of Peek[65] magazines (Peek[65] is the title), Compute magazine and others on the 6502 processor based computers. All is appropriate for a computer museum. |
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« Last Edit: October 23, 2009, 12:52:59 PM by wxtech »
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Al Washington, Lexington, Ga., Davis VP2+ WLIP 5.9.2 w/soil temp, VP(original) serial. Acu-Rite 1015/1010/639/1055 5-n-1/3-n-1, bridge beta test group,
NWS Coop station=LXTG1, Fischer Porter, SRG, MMTS.
CoCoRaHS=GA-OG-1 manual & electronic ET gauges. CWOP=CW2074. XP with serial port, VWS v14.01p0, laptop with Win7 and USB ports.
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wxtech
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« Reply #11 on: October 23, 2009, 12:42:10 PM » |
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Yes and what's up with that VIC-20 5K of memory?
I have Commodore 64 Users Guide; Commodore 64 Programmers Reference Guide; Mapping the Commodore 64; & Compute's Second Book of Commodore 64. Will trade all my old stuff for ????
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Al Washington, Lexington, Ga., Davis VP2+ WLIP 5.9.2 w/soil temp, VP(original) serial. Acu-Rite 1015/1010/639/1055 5-n-1/3-n-1, bridge beta test group,
NWS Coop station=LXTG1, Fischer Porter, SRG, MMTS.
CoCoRaHS=GA-OG-1 manual & electronic ET gauges. CWOP=CW2074. XP with serial port, VWS v14.01p0, laptop with Win7 and USB ports.
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wxtech
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« Reply #13 on: October 23, 2009, 12:59:10 PM » |
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OK $10. plus cost of media rate USPS mailing? These books: Commodore 64 Users Guide; Commodore 64 Programmers Reference Guide; Mapping the Commodore 64; & Compute's Second Book of Commodore 64 in as-is condition; they were boxed and some discoloration/musty smell but usable. |
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Al Washington, Lexington, Ga., Davis VP2+ WLIP 5.9.2 w/soil temp, VP(original) serial. Acu-Rite 1015/1010/639/1055 5-n-1/3-n-1, bridge beta test group,
NWS Coop station=LXTG1, Fischer Porter, SRG, MMTS.
CoCoRaHS=GA-OG-1 manual & electronic ET gauges. CWOP=CW2074. XP with serial port, VWS v14.01p0, laptop with Win7 and USB ports.
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sam2004gp
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« Reply #14 on: October 23, 2009, 01:04:15 PM » |
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I was just joking with you. .........But you may want to hold onto it another 25 years, then it might double in value.  |
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wxtech
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« Reply #15 on: October 23, 2009, 01:50:30 PM » |
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I was just joking with you. .........But you may want to hold onto it another 25 years, then it might double in value. Wow, If I had your address, it'd already be in the mail. Well anyway, I dusted them off for another 20 years on my bookshelves. How about an IBM Selectric computer terminal? Not compatible with IBM Selectric typewriter. |
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Al Washington, Lexington, Ga., Davis VP2+ WLIP 5.9.2 w/soil temp, VP(original) serial. Acu-Rite 1015/1010/639/1055 5-n-1/3-n-1, bridge beta test group,
NWS Coop station=LXTG1, Fischer Porter, SRG, MMTS.
CoCoRaHS=GA-OG-1 manual & electronic ET gauges. CWOP=CW2074. XP with serial port, VWS v14.01p0, laptop with Win7 and USB ports.
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DanS
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« Reply #16 on: October 23, 2009, 05:47:55 PM » |
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My first P.C. (Piece of Crap) was a Timex/Sinclair TS1000  shown here with the optional 4K memory expansion module. The standard 1K was not enough. The cassette rec/player and black and white t.v. were the only reliable equipment and needed. It was still fun though. You would get all setup and with your shoe box of cassette tape programs, fine tune the t.v. for the best picture, adjust the volume on the tape player for an occasional successful download, and presto, ready to begin.  |
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gsownsby
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« Reply #17 on: October 23, 2009, 06:12:28 PM » |
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Boy, I must be getting old as I remember all of these early computer models! I built my first computer from a kit...a MITS Altair 8800. Soldered every circuit board piece and IC chip. It was programmed in binary (01110110100) via front panel switches. Then bought a Radio Shack computer (first one they came out with). My Altair 8800 was donated to the Smithsonian as it was serial number 374 out of 1000. First commercial "home" computer kit.
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VWS/WeatherFlash/WeatherLinkIP/Davis Vantage VUE/LaCrosse WS-2310 TWC/HeavyWeather/Panasonic Webcam/CW5013
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DaculaWeather
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« Reply #18 on: October 23, 2009, 06:19:00 PM » |
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Yea, I guess we're all getting old... when I was in college I use punch cards to do programming (73-76). My first computer was a Commodore 64.
I actually owned a PC Limited, it was Dell before they were Dell. 8088, EGA card and 20MB hard drive.
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Steve Davis Vue, VWS, WDisplay, VVP, StartWatch CWOP   |
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Anthony
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« Reply #19 on: October 24, 2009, 08:08:01 AM » |
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My first computer was also a Vic-20, then stepped up to a C-64. Had 2 drives on it and actually ran a BBS on it for a year or so. I also bought an Amiga 500 and still have it.
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 Thanks, Anthony WB8YUE |
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wxtech
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« Reply #20 on: October 24, 2009, 08:30:54 AM » |
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My first was an RCA Spectra 70. Not a PC though. I was a Computer Tech on the mainframe in 1969. Took an entire floor in an office building. Altair/Mits was in Albuquerque where I lived and I talked to engineers there. Couldn't afford one. My first PC (1980) was a Radio Shack TRS-80 Level I, 4K memory upgraded then to 16K. Next was an Ohio Scientific Superboard. Went online with Compuserve in 1984 ( I still have the manual). I still have an Imsai S-100 with a 4 inch monitor.
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Al Washington, Lexington, Ga., Davis VP2+ WLIP 5.9.2 w/soil temp, VP(original) serial. Acu-Rite 1015/1010/639/1055 5-n-1/3-n-1, bridge beta test group,
NWS Coop station=LXTG1, Fischer Porter, SRG, MMTS.
CoCoRaHS=GA-OG-1 manual & electronic ET gauges. CWOP=CW2074. XP with serial port, VWS v14.01p0, laptop with Win7 and USB ports.
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