VISUALWEATHER Logiciel pour les stations météorologiques

Développer toutRéduire tout

1. Where can version information for VisualWeather be found?

   For all versions of VisualWeather, the version information is displayed during startup. As an alternative, version information can be viewed through VisualWeather Help:

   1. On the main VisualWeather screen, click the Help menu and select About (VisualWeather versions 2.2, 2.3) or About VisualWeather (VisualWeather version 3).
   2. On the About screen, the version and build information are displayed.
   3. For version details about the VisualWeather components, click the Versions button.
2. If a phone modem needs to be replaced, what type is recommended?

   Whether a laptop’s modem can make a good connection depends on the type of modem being called at the weather station:

   • If the call is being made to a COM220, a software modem (sometimes called a Winmodem) should work.
   • If a COM200, COM210, or DC112 is used at the station, select an external modem that isn’t a software modem. Customers have reported success using the U.S. Robotics USR5686G and the USR 5637 series of USB dongle modem. Because the USR5686G requires a serial port, a USB-to-serial adapter may be necessary. Campbell Scientific offers the 17394 USB-to-9-Pin Male RS-232 Cable. 
3. What determines which information is displayed on the active and passive screens?

   When a station is created in VisualWeather, either a station is selected that VisualWeather knows about or VisualWeather is told about a custom station that has been created. Part of this process involves telling VisualWeather what data is being collected at the station.

   Based on the station information, VisualWeather maps the data from the station to controls that can display that data. This data is displayed when the station data is viewed by either of these methods:

   • Connecting to the station and looking at Current Conditions (active monitoring)
   • Clicking the Station Data link on the main screen (passive monitoring) 
4. What is the difference between VisualWeather and VisualWeather/U?

   The VisualWeather products serve different needs:

   • VisualWeather is the full version of the weather station software.
   • VisualWeather/U is an upgrade to the current version of the weather station software. This item is only available to customers who own an older version of VisualWeather.
5. What is the best interval for updating weather station data on a web page using VisualWeather?

   The VisualWeather software allows data collection from the station to be scheduled at intervals as frequently as less than a minute. Frequent data collection, however, has some special considerations:

   • The data collection process may tie up communication to the station, depending on the station type and the telemetry. If multiple applications or entities are contacting the station, be sure that access is still possible for all of them.
   • The telemetry to collect the data may be expensive in terms of both money (such as paying for a cellular telephone plan) and power. For example, radios can quickly run down a battery if there isn’t a sufficient charging source. Also, remember that data collection continues around the clock and through the night when solar-powered stations have no charging source.
6. Where is there an available trial version of VisualWeather?

   The method for obtaining the fully functional 30 day trial version is slightly different for current Campbell Scientific customers and for those who are currently not customers. Both methods are described below.

   For current Campbell Scientific customers, follow these steps:

   1. If not already logged in, log in to the Campbell Scientific Customer Center.
   2. If not already viewing the list of VisualWeather downloads, navigate to the Downloads section of the VisualWeather product page.
   3. Click the Download Now link to the right of the title to start the download.
   4. Save the file to a location that is memorable.
   5. When the download is complete, browse to the selected location where the installation file was saved.
   6. Double-click the file to run the installation.
   7. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.

   For those who are not Campbell Scientific customers, follow these steps:

   1. If not already viewing the list of VisualWeather downloads, navigate to the Downloads section of the VisualWeather product page.
   2. Click the Add to List link to the right of the title.
   3. A new screen will open. Complete the fields in the Contact Information section, and click Submit. Note: There is no obligation associated with this process, and this information is not shared with, or sold to, third parties.
   4. An automated email message containing a link for the download, a login username, and a password will be sent to the user-provided email address. These credentials are valid for five days.   
   5. Click the download link in the email message.
   6. Type in, or copy and paste, the username and password supplied in the email message.
   7. After logging in, the download process should begin automatically.
   8. Save the file to a location that is memorable.
   9. When the download is complete, browse to the selected location where the installation file was saved.
   10. Double-click the file to run the installation.
   11. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
7. Using VisualWeather version 3.1 and a remote computer, why does a Windows error appear when rolling over objects with hints?

   This is a bug caused by the Delphi development tools used to create VisualWeather. Campbell Scientific released a patch (VisualWeather 3.1.3) that added a control to turn off tool tips (Tools | Options | Show Hints) to work around this bug. To view and download software patches for VisualWeather, go to the Downloads section of the VisualWeather product page.

8. After purchasing a VisualWeather upgrade from 2.2 to 3.1, what is the best way to migrate to the newer version and put it on a new machine?

   In the “Backup/Restore Network” entry of VisualWeather Help, it states the following: “Note: Beginning with VisualWeather 3.0, a restore cannot be performed from a backup file created using a version of VisualWeather prior to version 3.0.”

   If a 2.2 backup is restored to a version 3.0 or later, the network structure (that is, station information) will be saved, but the database or historical data will not be saved. The following process, however, can be used to resolve this issue:

   1. Back up the VisualWeather installation using one of two methods:
      • Copy the entire C:\Campbellsci\VisualWeather folder.
      • Use the Network | Backup/Restore Network… option to create a backup file.
   2. Run a 3.0 or later install (trial or standard) over the top of an existing 2.2 install. The install will update the database information to the new format.
   3. Back up the VisualWeather installation using the Network | Backup/Restore Network… option to create a backup file.
   4. Install the VisualWeather program in the new location.
   5. Copy the backup folder onto the new computer. Restore using the Backup/Restore Network… option.
9. If a purchased copy of VisualWeather is installed on a desktop PC, does the licensing for the software allow it to be installed on a field PC as well?

   No. The license agreement at the beginning of the VisualWeather manual states, “The purchase of this software allows you to install and use the software on one computer only.”

   Campbell Scientific offers free PC200W software (available for download) that enables the following:

   • Connecting to a datalogger through a serial port (including direct connect, short haul modems, or radios)
   • Monitoring data
   • Collecting data
   • Sending or retrieving a program

   There is no restriction as to how many machines the PC200W software can be installed on.

10. Where are available updates or patches for VisualWeather?

    If patches are available for VisualWeather, they are listed in the Downloads section of the VisualWeather product page.

    Note: Customers who do not have an online account will be asked to enter contact information to download the files. There is no obligation associated with this process, and this information is not shared with, or sold to, third parties.

    Follow these steps to install a patch:

    1. If not already logged in, log in to the Campbell Scientific Customer Center.
    2. If not already viewing the list of VisualWeather downloads, navigate to the Downloads section of the VisualWeather product page.
    3. Click the Download Now link to the right of the patch name.
    4. Save the file to a location that is memorable.
    5. When the download is complete, browse to the selected location where the patch was saved.
    6. Double-click the file to install the patch.
    7. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.