SpecWare™
Professional
Advanced Features
User’s Guide
2
Contents
Table of contents
Introduction ........................................................................................................ 3
Alert Function .................................................................................................... 4
Adding and Deleting an Alert ..................................................................... 4
Features of the Alert Function ................................................................... 5
Real-Time Monitor Log File ............................................................................... 7
Auto Download Scheduler ................................................................................ 8
Logging and Web Publishing ......................................................................... 10
Logging and Web Publishing File Format ............................................... 13
3
Introduction
Introduction
SpecWare Pro has several features that run with no user intervention. These features
allow the user to schedule downloads and alerts as well as transfer data to the Inter-
net. The computer must have a direct-cable or wireless connection to the weather sta-
tion and be running SpecWare Pro to have access to the Alert feature (for Spec 7 Pro,
Build 109 or greater is required). Please note that, while it is possible to enable a
scheduled feature with weather stations connected by land-line or cellular telephone
connections, the need for the program to regularly contact the weather station may in-
cur significant phone charges.
Scheduling of Advanced Features are done in SpecWare Pro within the WatchDog
Manager. The alert configuration screen is accessed from the Properties screen via
the “Alert Schedule” button. Unattended downloads are scheduled in the Auto-
download scheduler screen. This screen can be accessed from the Properties screen
or directly from the WatchDog Manager screen via the “Autodownload Schedule” but-
ton.
Auxilliary Programs
SpecWare makes use of two programs to carry out scheduled features:
SpecMon7.exe
Once Alert Monitoring is set up for any station, SpecMon7 is placed in the “Startup”
folder so it is automatically activated when the PC is booted up. SpecMon7 initiates
contact with specified stations at intervals set by the customer in SpecWare Pro.
SpecMon7 is normally minimized to the Task Bar, however opening it displays a
screen with a log of SpecMon7’s most recently completed activity (figure 1). This
screen can be reminimized, however if instead it is closed a warning message is dis-
played (figure 2) warning that no scheduled features will be run.
Figure 1 Figure 2
SpecADL.exe
SpecADL is activated by the Windows Scheduled Task service at the times that were
specified in SpecWare Pro (See AutoDownload Scheduler, p. 8). SpecADL will con-
tact and download the appropriate station and save the data to the folder with the
same name as the Data Identification name on the station.
4
Alert Function
Adding and Deleting an Alert
An alert can be scheduled for any weather station that has been set up in the Watch-
Dog Manager screen. See the SpecWare User’s Guide for instructions on setting up a
new station.
1. From the SpecWare toolbar, click the Watch-
Dog Manager quick button or select the
WatchDog Manager option from the Logger
menu.
2. Select the weather station that is to be config-
ured (see Figure 3) and click the Properties
button at the bottom of this screen. This will
bring up the WatchDog Properties screen
(see Figure 4).
3. Click the Alert Schedule button to bring up
Figure 3
the Weather Station Alert Configuration
screen (see Figure 5).
Figure 4 Figure 5
4. See Features of the Alert Function (p. 5) for details on the Alert Function itself.
The value selected from the Contact Frequency dropdown menu is the interval the
weather station will be queried by the PC for the alert condition. Generally, the En-
able All Alerts for this Station box should be checked. Unchecking it disables all
alerts (for example if a station was removed in the off-season). Individual alerts are
enabled/disabled in the full Configuration screen (Figure 6). It is also possible to
generate a log file of the sensor data read at each query by checking the Log
weather data from each contact box (See Logging and Web Publishing p. 10)
If a new alert is being created, click the New button. If a previously existing alert is
being modified, select that alert from the list and click the Edit button. Clicking ei-
ther button will open up the full Configuration screen. An existing alert can be de-
leted by clicking the Delete button.
5. After setting (or modifying) the alert features in the full Configuration screen, there
are three options. Hitting the Apply button will save the changes for that alert but
will not exit the Configuration screen completely. It is then possible to modify or
5
create further alerts for the currently selected weather station. Hitting the OK but-
ton will save the changes and return you to the WatchDog Properties screen. At
this point, you can return to the WatchDog Manager screen and select a different
weather station or return to the main SpecWare screen. Hitting the Cancel button
will cancel any changes that have been entered since the information was last
saved.
Features of the Alert Function
When the Alert feature is enabled, the SpecWare monitor program, SpecMon wakes
up at user-defined intervals and contacts the station to read current conditions so it can
determine if an alert condition exists. If so, this program directs the PC to send an alert
to a telephone, pager, and/or e-mail address. See Adding and Deleting an Alert (p.
4) for details on getting to the Weather Station Alert Configuration screen.
Important: In SpecWare, if the Comm Port Open option in the Preferences/
Communication screen has been set to Fast or Pause (see Preferences section in
SpecWare User’s Guide), there should not be a problem running the Alert feature even
if SpecWare is running at the time. However, if SpecWare is running and the Comm
Port Open option is set for Always, SpecMon cannot communicate and an alert can-
not be sent. SpecMon will continue to attempt to communicate at each successive in-
terval, so an alert will be possible as soon as SpecWare is closed.
Defining an Alert Condition
In addition to the weather station to which
it is being applied, SpecWare needs three
pieces of information to define an alert
condition; the sensor of interest, the alert
threshold value, and whether this is a
maximum or minimum value.
The sensor of interest is selected from the
Alert Sensor dropdown menu. The inter-
nal sensors (air temperature, relative hu-
midity, wind, and rainfall) are listed explic-
itly by name. The external channels are
listed by letter only.
Enter the threshold value in the Value text
box. No units are assigned to this number.
Take care that the entered value is consis- Figure 6
tent with the unit system (English or Met-
ric) selected in the Preferences screen. Finally, select whether an alert is sent when
the measured value goes Above or Below the threshold value by ticking the appropri-
ate option.
6
Entering Alert Contacts
Sensor Alert ID
The text in the Sensor Alert ID field identifies the weather station that will trigger the
alert. This text will only appear in alerts sent via e-mail. In this case, it may be useful
to put a more complete description of the station than is possible for the Weather Sta-
tion Name.
Multiple alerts can be scheduled for a specific weather station. These alerts can be
directed to different contacts. For example, in a greenhouse, an elevated CO2 content
may alert someone to open window vents while a low soil moisture content would alert
the person responsible for irrigation. However, if the same person or persons should
be contacted for all alert situations, checking the All Alerts for this station use the
same contact list box will eliminate the need to enter this information for each new
alert.
Contact Information
From the Contact Method dropdown menu, select how the alert will be sent. If the
alert will be by Phone or Pager, enter the telephone number in the Address/Phone#
field. This number should include, if applicable, the area code and any number that
must be dialed to access an outside line. If there are numbers entered into the Pager
Ext. field, there will be a brief pause before these numbers are dialed. For phones this
would indicate an extension. For a pager, this number would be the pager extension.
If an e-mail alert is being sent, the e-mail address is entered in the Address/Phone#
field instead.
The first contact listed will always be contacted when an alert condition exists. If addi-
tional contacts are available, they will receive alert messages only if the Always box is
checked. This allows secondary contacts to be easily included or excluded during spe-
cific time periods.
Enabling/Disabling Alerts
The Enable All Alerts for This Station box at the top of the screen should always be
checked unless all alerts will be disabled seasonally. For example, unchecking this
box enables you to disable frost alerts in the summer without disabling every alert indi-
vidually. Rechecking the box in the fall would re-enable the alerts for that station. To
enable or disable a specific alert, ensure the Enable All Alerts for This Station box is
checked and check or uncheck the Enabled box next to the Alert Sensor field appro-
priately.
7
Real-
Real-Time Monitor Log File
This older logging method was developed for the original WatchDog weather stations
for users who wanted to save the data from the Real-Time Weather Monitor (RTWM)
(see section 3.7 of the SpecWare User’s Guide) to their hard drive or a network server
drive. Because some SpecWare users have begun data logging with this module, it is
still available as an option. However, the logging and web publishing formats are rec-
ommended for any new logging operation (see Logging and Web Publishing p. 10).
If you have a non-zero interval entered in the Log Interval field in the Preferences/
Monitor screen (Figure 7), SpecWare will display the Specify Monitor Log Folder
screen (Figure 8) when you bring up the RTWM
screen. This screen allows you to name a folder
where the data will be saved. If the Cancel button is
clicked, the RTWM will still appear but the logging
function will be not be enabled. Setting the Log In-
terval to zero will prevent this screen from appear-
ing.
New Screen shot
Figure 7 Figure 8
The Real-Time Monitor Log File is stored in the Station's Logger Location folder with
the name "Monitor.log." It is an ASCII text file, with tab-separated variables (see figure
9). This file can easily be imported into spreadsheet-type programs such as Excel. No
column headers are provided, so the user must be able to identify the sensor type for
each external channel. Each variable will occupy an individual column. This file is
distinct from the data recorded by the data logger.
Each time the RTWM is refreshed, an additional line of data is appended to the log file.
In order for the log file to be continuously updated at the selected log interval, the
RTWM must be set for Repeat Refresh. For record formats, see Logging and Web
Publishing File Formats (p. 10).
2004-04-05 08:31 800 19.2 22.0 16.3 2.47
2004-04-06 12:04 800 37.7 37.7 24.6 2.46
2004-04-06 13:04 800 38.5 39.3 24.6 2.46
Figure 9: Sample Monitor.log file for a model 800 weather station reading 3 temperature sensors
8
Auto download Scheduler
Once a station has been set up in the WatchDog Properties screen (see WatchDog
Manager section in the SpedWare User’s Guide), the Autodownload Scheduler al-
lows the user to set up the weather station to automatically be downloaded at pre-
determined dates and times. This function can be enabled directly from the quick but-
ton on the WatchDog Manager screen or from the WatchDog Properties screen.
See Adding and Deleting an Alert (p. 4) for a brief description of how to bring up
these screens.
The first field shows the automatic downloads that are currently scheduled. More than
one download can be scheduled for a given station. For example, if an automatic
download is desired at more than one time each day, a separate scheduled download
must be programmed for each download time. To delete an existing schedule, select
this schedule and click on the Delete Schedule button.
A new schedule can be added by selecting a station from the Station dropdown menu,
entering the desired parameters in the Autodownload Scheduler screen and clicking
the New Schedule button. Automatic downloads can be scheduled on a Weekly or
Monthly basis. In either case, the time to begin the download must be entered in the
Download Start Time box. The time can be entered in 12- or 24-hour clock format
(13:00 or 1:00pm). If the time is entered in 12-hour clock format the alphabetic charac-
ters are not case sensitive. If letters are not included in the time, SpecWare will as-
sume the time is in 24-hour format. If the Weekly option is selected, one or more days
should be scheduled from the Days of the Week list. Any number of days may be se-
lected and the station will be downloaded automatically on those days. If the Monthly
option is selected, at least one day of the month must be selected. If day 29, 30, or 31
is selected, Windows will perform the automatic download on that day if it exists for the
current month. If that day does not exist, the download will be executed on the last day
of the month. If only one automatic download is required, or if the date and time for
the automatic downloads will be changed regularly, the One Time Only option should
be selected.
9
Important: An independent program (SpecADL.exe) is initiated by Windows to perform
the automatic download. If the Comm Port Open option in the Preferences/
Communication screen has been set to Fast or Pause (see the Preferences section
in the SpecWare User’s Guide), there should not be a problem running the Auto-
Download Scheduler even if SpecWare is running. However, if the Com Port Open
option is set for Always, that program cannot contact the Weather Station while
SpecWare is running. Therefore, the auto download should be scheduled to run at a
time when the software is not expected to be running and, if the Auto Download is
scheduled overnight, SpecWare should be shut down before the end of the day. If
Alert Monitoring is also running, it can also conflict with AutoDownload. Because the
Alert Monitor runs on the hour and at 15, 30 and 45 minutes after, it is recommended
that any AutoDownloads be scheduled for times in-between.
Note: Windows 2000 or greater is required to run the AutoDownload Scheduler.
10
Logging and Web Publishing
The SpecWare Pro Logging and Web Publishing module uses the Frost Alert monitor
module, SpecMon. The monitor module queries one or more weather stations at inter-
vals of 15, 30, 60, or 120 minutes, then can save and publish current condition infor-
mation based on options selected in the Preferences screen and parameters set in
the Weather Station Alert Configuration screen (see p. 12).
Preferences screen
The Monitor tab of the Preferences
screen is separated into 2 sections.
Preference settings apply to all
weather stations being monitored.
The Weather Station Real-Time
Monitor section is used to set the
logging interval for the Real-time
Monitor.log file (see Real-time Moni-
tor Log File, p. 7). This older logging
method was developed for the origi-
nal WatchDog weather stations. Be-
cause some SpecWare users have
begun data logging with this module,
it is still available as an option. How-
ever, the logging and web publishing
formats are recommended for any
new logging operation. These mod-
ules allow for building log files as well as sending current conditions to a website. The
Monitor Log and Web Output section is used to select and enter details for the web
publishing options.
Important: If data logging information is being entered into the Monitor Log and Web
Output section, the logging interval for the Weather Station Real-Time Monitor sec-
tion should be set to 0 minutes.
SpecWare can create 2 types of data file, a Log file and an FTP file, which can be cre-
ated simultaneously. The difference between the two is how the software handles the
current conditions read from the station. The Log file appends the data to a file of ex-
isting data from that station. This file is located in the station’s Logger Location. The
FTP file is similar to the Log file, except that only the current conditions are written to a
file called “Monitor.ftp.txt” in the station’s Logger Location folder and the previous read-
ing is erased. This file can then be FTP-ed to a web location (see FTP options p. 11).
The different file formats are described on page 12. The XML tags and Field Descrip-
tions are given on page 13. There is no Real-Time Monitor Format or SpecWare Stan-
dard Format file option for the FTP file.
11
File Formats
Text File, Real-Time Monitor Format This format mimics that produced by the Real-
Time Monitor, and should be used only to replace using the Real-Time Monitor log.
Data is written to the “Monitor.log” file. This format cannot be FTP-ed to the web.
Text File, Standard Format This ASCII text file uses tabs to separate values, with a
record (line) representing each current condition obtained from the weather station.
The format of the file is detailed on page 12. The file is named “Monitor.log”. The cur-
rent condition record for this format can be FTP-ed to a website. Specmon.php is pro-
vided as a sample program to display data in this format on a website.
XML File, Standard Format This ASCII text file is written in XML format, with tags for
each value. The format of the file is detailed on page 12. The file is named
“Monitor.log”. The current condition record for this format can be FTP-ed to a website.
Current SpecWare Data File Format This text file is written in the standard format
used by SpecWare (“.swd”). This option should be chosen only if the station is not be-
ing downloaded by other means (this would cause data collisions between the logged
data from the station and the current condition data). The file includes the standard
headers, and can be read, reported, and graphed in the same way as other SpecWare
data files. The files are named “SDyyyymm.SWD”, where “yyyymm” is used to gener-
ate separate files for each month. This format cannot be FTP-ed to the web.
None No file is to be created.
FTP Options
The FTP Options direct SpecMon to FTP the “FTP File” to a defined web location.
Specifically, SpecMon uses FTP to log onto FTP URL using FTP Logon and FTP
Password, and then copies the “FTP File” to the FTP Path directory.
FTP URL The location on the web (i.e. “www.example.com” or “www.example.com/
datafiles”) where the current conditions file(s) will be posted.
FTP Path The directory location on the web site where the files are posted. If FTP
Path contains “%FOLDER%”, then the station location name will be substituted for “%
FOLDER%”. For example, if FTP Path is “stations/%FOLDER%/” and a station is
named “South.Orchard”, then the “FTP File” will be copied to “stations/South.Orchard/
monitor.ftp.txt”. Alternatively, for the same station, if FTP Path is “stations/”, then the
file will be copied to “stations/South.Orchard.txt”. Note that this naming convention en-
sures that, if there are multiple stations, the files do not conflict.
FTP Logon The logon name used by FTP.
FTP Password and Repeat The password used by FTP. Only asterisks display when
setting this, and is not redisplayed (the fields will appear blank when displayed, even if
a password is set). Changing the password requires typing the same thing into both
the FTP Password and Repeat fields. If they differ, the password will not be changed,
and a message will be displayed.
12
Weather Station Alert Configuration screen
After the web and publishing options have been selected in Preferences, data logging
must be enabled for all relevant stations. This is done in the Weather Station Alert
Configuration screen. See Adding and Deleting an Alert (p. 4) for details on bring-
ing up this screen. The Weather Station Alert Configuration screen is used to turn
logging on or off for a specific station. Specific alerts do not have to be defined in or-
der to activate logging (though they are certainly allowed). The Contact Frequency
must be selected from the dropdown menu, and the Log weather data from each
contact box checked, in order to activate logging per the general specifications made
in the Preferences screen.
Specmon.php
A sample PHP program named “specmon.php” is provided to demonstrate displaying
the standard text file on a web site. In a simple situation where “specmon.php” and
“South.Orchard.txt” both reside in the “httpdocs/” directory, a web page link of http://
www.sample.com/specmon.php?name=South.Orchard must be provided.
Logging and Web Publishing File Format
For the “Text File”, each field is separated by a tab. For the “XML File”, a root tag of
“datalogger” is used. Each data element includes the XML tags and is separated by a
carriage-return-line-feed.
A complete description of the XML tags and the associated fields is given in the table
on the following page.
13
Stations* XML Tag Field Description
All LogTime Data collection time in the format yyyy-mm-dd hh:nn
All ModelNumber Weather Station model number
All Measure** System of measurement (‘M’ (Metric) or ‘E’ (English))
All BatteryLevel** Current battery voltage
WS, 800 TotalRainfall Total rain since the station was last launched
WS, 800 EventRainfall** Rainfall since the station rainfall counter was last reset
WS, 800 StormRainfall** Rainfall during last (or current) storm, delimited by two dry
hours
WS Temperature Current Temperature (degrees Fahrenheit/Celsius)
WS HighTemp High temperature since midnight (Day temperature for MS2)
WS HighTempTime Time of high temperature
WS LowTemp Low temperature since midnight (Night temperature for MS2)
WS LowTempTime Time of low temperature
WS RH Current Relative Humidity (percent)
WS HighRH High RH since midnight
WS HighRHTime Time of high RH
WS LowRH Low RH since midnight
WS LowRHTime Time of low RH
WS DewPoint** Current computed dew point (degrees Fahrenheit/Celsius)
WS WindSpeed Average Wind Speed since last logged interval
WS WindGust High Wind Speed since last logged interval
WS WindDir Current Wind Direction in degrees
WS WindDirText Current Wind Direction as text (e.g. N, NNE, NE, ENE, etc.)
WS ET** 24-hour ET (inches or mm)
The following group of three fields is repeated for any external sensor channels which have
been assigned to a sensor:
All ChannelName Name of Channel sensor (only if assigned)
All Channel Channel sensor value (only if assigned)
All ChannelUnits Channel sensor units (only if assigned)
2400, 2800 TotalRainfall Total rain since the station was last launched
2400, 2800 EventRainfall Rainfall since the station rainfall counter was last reset
2400, 2800 StormRainfall Rainfall during last (or current) storm, delimited by two dry
hours
The following two fields are present only in the “Classic” text format records
WS ET 24-hour ET (inches or mm)
All BatteryLevel Current battery voltage
* The Station Abbreviation “WS” indicates all Original and 2000-Series Weather and
Mini-Stations, except Models 800, 2400, 2800.
** Field omitted for “Classic” text formatted (RTWM) log files.
Note: Value fields may be empty for models which do not support a given sensor, for example
“RH” will not be filled in for the Model 2600 Weather Station.
