Nick,

Its all about web logging these days, XML etc:

http://www.pachube.com/

Also I found the features on LogTemp to be excellent. Monitoring my
hot water cylinder and soon my solar panels:

http://www.millibee.com/logtemp/tank.htm

There is loads of data logging activity on the Navitron renewable
energy site, from people who have solar panels, PV panels, wind
turbines, wood stoves:

http://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index.php/board,26.0.html

So I think (devvie with 24 years experience) that sensor reading is
one thing but analysing, publishing and collaborating data is the key
issue. One positive goal is showing Mr. Average that solar energy
really works.

cheers
Paul




--- In TemperatureLoggers@yahoogroups.com, "nic_hubbard" <nick@...>
wrote:
>
>
> The DS1820 Arbiter, Hotbox, and Display apps and services have been
> working very well. They first saw light in 1999, 10 years ago.
>
> I'm toying with a total revamp. I'm considering WPF and WCF. This
will
> give "you" the kind users, the opportunity to customise the UI, and
> the data source.
>
> Piling CSV data into a file from a com port is straight forward, but
> is considered "old hat".
>
> Here's one idea… do I adopt Windows 7 sensors as an import source?
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/sensors/default.mspx
>
> Microsoft's view on Windows 7 sensors …
>
> "Today, software developers can write programs that use sensors, but
a
> lack of standardization makes programming for sensors an arduous
task.
> Once completed, a sensor-based program is usually forever dependent
on
> a particular type of hardware. Using one or more vertical solutions
to
> enable deployment of a software-based system has limited the
> integration of sensors with computer hardware, and Windows-based
> computers are no exception."
>
> Windows 7 includes native support for sensors, expanded by a new
> development platform for working with sensors, including location
> sensors, such as GPS devices. The Windows Sensor and Location
platform
> provides a standard way for device manufacturers to expose sensor
> devices to software developers and consumers, while providing
> developers with a standardized application programming interface
(API)
> for working with sensors and sensor data."
>
> What are your views?
>
> Do you have a wish list?
>
> Cheers
>
> Nick
>