Hi all!

A very nice chap has managed to design some open-source that can be installed on linux. The software is meant to provide graphing facilities, data logging and website display of this data.

Here's the link:
/2/http://www.pasternak.net/joomla/content/view/50/2/

I am wanting to setup this software so that I can log data from my weather station, produce graphs and put them on a webage which i can view at and away from home.

My first porblem - I am a complete Newbie/Idiot when it comes to Linux! I dont have a clue how to install software or anything, im guessing its not as easy as Windows (which i am very familiar with ).

If anyone can advise me on, firstly what Linux Distro to use, how to get the software working and how to put the info onto a webpage.

Just to help things along - In the readme that comes with the package you are told you need the following:

- a linux server connected via rs232 to the weather station
- an internet connection and a way to connect to the linux
server from the internet. unless you have a static ip
a service like dyndns will be necessary.
- the linux server must have apache running.
- gnuplot version 4.2 must be installed
- true type fonts you want to use should be installed
- perl must be there.

Here is the kit that i am using:-
Oregon Scientific WMR928 Weather station + Serial Cable
Hp Compaq PC specs-
P4 1.5ghz
512mb ram
250GB IDE HDD
CD/DVD drives connected when needed

Thank you All!!!

So.... do you have the prerequisites? What have you tried?
You can help by providing at least a description of what the software package looks like (tarball, RPM, whatever). If you are as green as it sounds like, and given the amount of stuff you probably/might/certainly need to set up, this is going to take a while. Baby steps are probably to be expected.
--- rod.

Hi,

Welcome to LQ!

To start with here's a few links to aid you;

Linux Documentation Project
Rute Tutorial & Exposition
Linux Command Guide
Utimate Linux Newbie Guide
LinuxSelfHelp
Getting Started with Linux
Advanced Bash-Scripting Guide
Virtualiation- Top 10

You have several ways to get a server up for your needs. You could use 'Slackware', which is used for servers of this type. It's a good way to get to know the system but it will be a steep learning curve. You could use one of the *buntus' to get a system up and running without too much effort. Lot's of luck too you when you do need to work at the system level.

Since the author of the data logging software has setup on a existing server then I would investigate from that perspective.

You could use a LiveCD to see how GNU/Linux fits. Look at 'The LivCD List'.

I really don't see a problem with setting up a simple server for data loggers. But as a newbie you will have a lot on your platter. If you have a existing M$ system then a 'VM' (virtual machine) could be setup using 'VirtualBox', 'Vmware' or 'QEMU' on that boxen to host the client of choice.



The above links and others can be found at 'Slackware-Links'. More than just Slackware® links!

Oh, my. I didn't notice that headlesschicken2511 doesn't even yet have a Linux host set up.

Assuming you have a computer dedicated to this, I suggest you download and burn two to five distros' CDs from this list:

CentOS (same as Redhat)
Slackware
OpenSuse
Ubuntu (in one of it's forms)
Debian

That pretty much covers the spectrum of styles of distros. Use recent versions of any package that you try. Install each one, play with it for a few days, and then try another one or two. As you do this, you will learn a lot, and also start to see what your preferences might be. Ultimately, you will settle on one you like. Try to avoid doing too much work that you aren't comfortable throwing away when you try a different distro.

Your next task will be to start installing the distribution software, hooking up cabling, and getting your special application to run. That is going to involve setting up a web server, and getting a web application running. You are also going to need to get a serial port working. If you are using pretty modern hardware, it might not have one built in, so you will have to use a PCI plugin card, or a USB serial dongle. Getting that to work might be a slight hurdle. If you have to buy something, shop around and Goggle around to make sure it is Linux compatible.

As you proceed, you are going to have lots of questions, so come back here for some answers. Good luck.

--- rod.