Karl Uppiano

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Wednesday, March 21, 2007

WxService Update Available
  • WxService ow4j070321
    • Logs more diagnostic information when a device fails to start
    • Performs a DSPortAdapter.break to force a hard reset on all devices on the MicroLan

Some 1-Wire devices do not always initialize successfully after a cold boot. This is an attempt to help diagnose problems and potentially get the devices to come up cleanly.

(download the latest version)

11:51 pm pdt

Monday, March 19, 2007

WxService Update Available
  • WxService ow4j070319
    • Fixed a typo in the configuration defaults that would cause Wunderground and CSV formatters to post rainfall in the wrong units. If you downloaded the last version, I hope it didn't rain. Either download this version, or change precipitation.csv.data.scale=1.0 to precipitation.csv.data.scale=0.01 and precipitation.wunderground.data.scale=1.0 to precipitation.wunderground.data.scale=0.01.

(download the zip file)

8:33 pm pdt

Sunday, March 18, 2007

WxService Update Available
I made numerous changes to WxService and WxMonitor in response to very valuable feedback from users.
  • WxService ow4j070318
    • Added information in the readme to help new users find pertinent data.
    • Enhanced the calibration quick reference to better describe how to calibrate sensors, e.g., compensate the barometer to sea level.
    • Fixed a bug in the barometer task that could cause the barometer sensor to fail to initialize.
    • Added several new configuration properties to support English and metric sensor data processors.
    • Added several new configuration properties to allow switching between English and metric units without causing side effects to the APRS, CSV and Weather Underground formatters.
    • Introduced the watchdog formatter. It is not strictly a formatter, but it plugs in where the formatters do. The formatters receive data from the sensors. The watchdog formatter also receives this data. If it does not receive any data for a specified interval, it executes a specified system command. The default command for Windows, is "shutdown -r" to restart the computer, and the default timeout is five minutes. The reason for this is that the 1-Wire USB adapter sporadically stops working for no discernable reason, requiring a restart. The watchdog formatter provides an automatic restart, if desired. It is easily disabled if not desired.
  • WxMonitor ow4j070318
    • Added support in the monitor panel to support automatic switching between English and metric units based on the locale, e.g., en_CA (English speaking Canada) now defaults to metric automatically, while en_US (English speaking USA) defaults to English units. I will be creating localized resource bundles on demand. Contact me if you are located outside of the US and Canada and wish to use this software with localized settings and translations.
    • Added a switch in WxMonitor.properties to easily override the default units, and switch between English and metric.
    • Added a feature to allow users to select the interval over which to retain accumulated rainfall. You can now configure the rainfall data update interval to reset on a specific day of the year, day of the month, day of the week, or daily.

These changes are rather dramatic, and if you install the update, you might have to reconfigure your software. The easiest way to preserve your settings is to rename wxmonitor.properties and wxservice.properties. You can reconfigure your customized settings, using the backed up files as a reference.

(download the zip file)

10:02 pm pdt


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Welcome!
This site is dedicated to my interest in engineering. I use it as a place to just put stuff "out there" for anyone who might be interested, as well as a job search tool. This page contains my engineering web log (to your left). Anything that seems timeless enough, or too involved for a log entry may get it's own page as a full-blown article. And, of course, my resume is here for anyone who might be considering hiring me to do something. Email me.

About Me
I have worked as a broadcast engineer, electronics designer (analog and digital) and software developer. I especially enjoy audio engineering, although I've been writing software for the last several years, since that's where the opportunities are in the Pacific Northwest (this is Microsoft country after all). I'm currently working as a Senior Staff Engineer -- Resume at another large independent software vendor in Washington State.

Futurama Web Site
(not my best side)

I majored in mathematics and physics in college. Other interests include music appreciation (baroque, classical and early romantic, ragtime, and 60's and 70's rock & roll), high fidelity audio electronics, meteorology and of course, computing hardware and software. I tend to think a lot like this guy.