Welcome! This page is the home of my WX-200 software for Macintosh. The software is in a very early stage, but generally works ok.

What it does:

This is a self-contained application which reads data from a Radio Shack WX-200 Weather Station. It displays information on what it reads, and (optionally) sends that info to XTension, a really cool Home Automation system from Sand Hill.

NEW 4/7/99

Whoops! I didn't realize the version posted 3/31 actually had an expiration date of 3/31! That's obviously not good.

Here, get this one, wx200.dist040799.app.sit, which will run at least until the end of '99. (I'm not even sure why I bother with expiration dates other tahn to remind me to keep working on the program...) Otherwise I think it's the same thing.

NEW 3/31/99:

Oh yeah, I forgot to put that update online... (Pretty much nobody knows this page exists, which is ok at the moment.)

This version was compiled 1/2/99, and has been running continuously on the same IIci as XTension since then. The system has crashed a few times (maybe once per week), but with all the junk I'm running on it that isn't all that bad. Since I haven't really looked at the code in nearly three months I don't particularly remember what changes there, but I think all below (from my 11/9/98) are indeed present.

If you have any comments, let me know. Since this is really only being announced to the XTension list I suppose comments can go there too.

NEW 11/9/98: A major update is nearly complete. Features added to the update:

• Data logging - appends to tab-delimited file every 1/5/10/30/60 minutes (your choice). Makes for easy import into Excel for very cool analysis.
• Adjustable interval for XTension logging
• Basic internal live charting (outside temperature over time)
• Option to autostart on launch
• Saves your preferences (autostart, logging interval, serial port, etc).
• Fixed a bug with reporting below-freezing temperatures as very high (150+ C) temperatures.

As soon as I have a few minor issues worked out, I'll post the update here.

Current Features:

• Communications Toolbox Compliant - can be used with addon serial cards
• Sends some data (not all) to XTension
• Doesn't crash all that much :-)

Planned Features

• Full data logging, with many options
• Some level of data analysis
• Cool graphics
• Scriptability (read data from other apps)

Major things missing:

• It has no name - suggestions welcome
• It only sends a few pieces of info to XTension (Inside temp and wind info)
• It doesn't log or save any data, other than what it sends to XTension
• XTension must be on the same Mac as the WX-200
• Saving of preferences (serial port choice, etc.)
• Start reading data on launch (via an option)

Major bugs:

• The only bug I know of is a small memory leak. On my test system, the 2MB RAM assigned to the software will fill after three days, resulting in a crash. I'm working on that one...
• I also suspect there are some data errors interpreting the WX-200 data stream. I suspect incorrect data will appear for negative readings (ie, very low temperature). This will be fixed soon. I'm also not 100% convinced all data is read correctly; PLEASE let me know if you see anything weird happen.

What I need from YOU:

• Does it crash (other than the above-noted slow memory leak)?
• Does it display the correct data? Does it talk to XTension ok?
• What kinds of cool things would you like it to do?

What it looks like:

The main window:

The main window is where everything happens. Select your port and open it. Most items are self-explanatory.

If the option "SendToXT" is checked, data will be sent to XTension periodically. Currently, data is sent once per minute, but ONLY if some data has changed in the previous minute.

If the option "SendGustDir" is checked, the Wind Gust Direction is sent. This is usually a bad thing, since that changes so frequently (hence will cause your XTension log window to scroll quickly). I put this in here as a testing tool, to be sure things are working alright.

Both the above options are currently on by default.

The debug window:

The debug window has a mish-mash of stuff that I use for debugging. This window will disappear in the final release, but is useful for testing.

Data is the current data packet from the WX-200.

Status displays the most recent exciting event in the software

Start is the start date/time

Current is the current date/time (useful in the event of a freeze)

Bytes are the current number of bytes in the buffer

Flushes are the number of times the sofware got a fair bit behind on itself, and flushed the buffer. Don't worry, the WX-200 sends PLENTY of data, and nothing is lost by doing this. Without this flushing, the computer would spend too much time processing data (and other things would slow down). Or even worse, the serial buffer would overflow, resulting in a crash. On my IIci (running XTension, FaxSTF, and acting as a server) I only get four or five flushes a day.

Packets are the number of WX-200 packets processed by the software during this launch.

Making it work

• First, download the software. wx200app.sit.hqx (290K).
• Drag add the file "WeatherMC" (from the thing you just downloaded) to XTension. Do this in the Database/Import menu. WARNING!!! Don't do this if you've already added Sand Hill's weather plugin. Instead, add a unit called "WindDirGustMC", if you want to test with the WindGustDir option (see above).
• Then plug your WX-200 into your Mac, and away you go!

To be added to this page:

• Info on physically connecting the WX-200 to your Mac (I figure the first round of testers will already have XTension and already have the WX-200 connected.)
• Better instructions

And that's all I've got so far! Comments? Questions? Drop me a note at mcohen@proactiveinteractive.com!