We decided to use an Arduino UNO, a PICAXE-14M2, and a desktop computer running Windows Vista. The Arduino functioned as the main interface and brain. We dedicated the PICAXE to simply reading sensors and sending that data in a continuous stream to the Arduino via a serial communication protocol.

The Arduino would format and send data to be logged to the PC, which runs MegunoLink. The Arduino would also decide, based on environmental conditions, if the heater/cooler/water should be turned on. Future groups working on the project would have to decided whether the Arduino would do this by sending a command to a dedicated microcontroller (reverse of what we did with the PICAXE being dedicated to sensors) or by directly controlling equipment in the greenhouse.

So, in essence, for this project, we figured out how to set up data logging and automation of the greenhouse environment using cheap materials and open source equipment.

In our report, we provide example code for both microcontrollers and discuss difficulties we ran into along the way. You can read this report by clicking on the PDF link below.

Final Report – COCC Greenhouse IT Group.pdf

IT Budget/Component Pricing.pdf

DATASHEETS:

• CO2 Sensor – GE Telaire T6004 CDS-1 Spec Sheet
• Hall Effect Sensor | Melexis Datasheet – MLX90217
• Humidity Sensor | Humirel Datasheet – HS1101
• Humidity Sensor | Parallax Data Sheet HS1101-v1.0
• Photoresistor | Perkinelmer_Actives-and-Passives_9800015
• Temp Sensor – Texas Instruments LM34 Data Sheet
  

For some reason, I couldn’t create a new database because OpenOffice said that I didn’t have the right version of Java installed or that it couldn’t find a valid installation.

I found an easy fix for this problem. You really just need to delete two files and you’ll be good to go. Since it can take a while to navigate to these files, it’s easier to just use Windows Search to find them for you.

1. Close OpenOffice completely, including the Quick Start thing in the Taskbar
2. Open Windows Search (Windows logo key +F)
3. Type “javasettinsunopkginstall.xml”
4. Delete the file.
5. Search for “jvmfwk3.ini”
6. Delete the file.

You should be good to go!

I happen to have a Windows Vista Business operating system. I recently did a reinstall of the entire OS. When I got to installing all my programs, Audacity and Blender were on the top of my list. The install went successfully, however when I tried to open the programs afterwards, they would just crash or present me with some strange error message. I tried getting older versions of each program, which did work in the Audacity case, but not for Blender. Whatever I did, the program just would not open or run correctly.

A couple weeks later, I got to installing my Windows Live Essentials programs. WLE needs the “Windows Platform Update” if your using a Vista system, like I am. The update is described by Microsoft on this page: Install the Windows Platform Update. WLE installed the update and then completed installing the various associated programs. Everything seemed to be working fine.

Out of curiosity, I tried installing the most recent versions of Audacity and Blender again. Lo and behold, they work fine! If you are having a problem getting Audacity or Blender to work on your Vista system, then I suggest you make sure you’ve got the Windows Platform Update. I’m just guessing, but I think they are related. If you have the Windows Live Essentials programs installed, then you should have the update already.

I hope that helps! :-)

-RED 7

SUPER can convert almost any file to almost any file. It has a wide variety of options that allow you to tune the output file to your specifications. You can drop the frame rate or bit depth down so that your file can fit on a portable device better.

The application’s interface might take a little getting used to. It will seem complex and confusing to someone who doesn’t know what they are doing. With a little practice and experimentation, you can get into the flow of things and start converting anything to anything.

Unfortunately, this program only exists for Windows users. However, it is completely free. There’s no ads or subscriptions necessary to download or use the program. You can find the .exe for SUPER on the eRightSoft website.

Download SUPER (c) from eRightSoft

TWiT is a tech news/podcasting company. They will talk about everything from cameras to back-end website design. If you’re somewhat interested in technology, you need to subscribe to a couple TWiT podcasts!

-RED 7

This program will use an external list of names and passwords to grant access to whatever you want. You’d probably want to implement some sort of encryption/decryption in this system, but the basic framework of a login application is here. I had a basic text file called “doing” functioning as my database file. I also renamed the file extension from “.txt” to “.filter” just for the fun of it. Obviously you can change these to whatever you want as long as you change it in the program and recompile it.

Here’s the code:

Ext_list_Login_app_proj.zip

program Ext_list_Login_app_proj;

{$mode objfpc}{$H+}

uses
{$IFDEF UNIX}{$IFDEF UseCThreads}
cthreads,
{$ENDIF}{$ENDIF}
Classes
{ you can add units after this };

var
name:string;
real_name:string;
pass:string;
real_pass:string;

{This program is divided up into procedures just to make it a little easier for me.}

procedure login_complete;
begin
writeln();
writeln('Hey you remembered BOTH your username AND password!');
writeln('If you wanted to really do something important with this,');
writeln('than you would probably launch a program or something at this point.');
writeln('But right now, this program does nothing like that.');
writeln();
writeln();

end;

function check_pass(const name:string;const pass:string): boolean;
var
f:textfile;
s:string;
x:integer;

begin
assignfile(f, 'doing.filter');
reset(f);
try
while not eof(f) do
begin
readln(f,s);
x:=pos(':',s);
result:=(copy(s, 1, x-1)=name) and (copy(s, x+1, length(s)-x)=pass);
if result then exit;
end;
finally
closefile(f);
end;
end;

procedure login;
begin
writeln();
writeln('Enter Username:');
readln(name);
writeln();
writeln('Enter Password:');
readln(pass);

{Now that we have user input, the application will now verify that information with the correct answers}

if check_pass(name, pass)then
login_complete;
end
else
begin
writeln();
writeln('Oops. You entered the wrong username and password combination.');
writeln('Try again.');
login;

end;
end;

{"Main" program below}

begin

writeln('Welcome to the Login Application!');
writeln();

login;
writeln('Press <enter> to quit.');
readln();
end.

Windows

For Windows users, I have a couple recommendations (Mac users, see the section below). If you are looking for similar features as Adobe Reader, like the annotate, screen shot, and other tools, then I would advise getting Foxit Reader. It is truly amazing. They do want you to register, but so far I’ve found that it isn’t necessary to run the application. Another one you might like, if you’re more of a scientific person, is PDF XChange. Since I found these programs, I will never go back to Adobe Reader.

Foxit Reader

XChange PDF Viewer

If Foxit Reader is a little complex and you just want a simple PDF reader, then Sumatra PDF might be just the thing for you. They are focused on the simplicity of a PDF reader. It’s got the bare minimums, without any of the frills.

Macintosh

Have a Mac? There’s another free PDF reader you can get too! It’s called Skim. It has many of the features Adobe Reader has (and a couple extras!). As long as you don’t get lost in the program, you’ll be pretty pleased with it!

Skim PDF Reader

So, there’s some ideas to get you out from under the Adobe monopoly. Enjoy!

Blender

Blender is truly an amazing program. What makes it even more appealing is the fact that it is totally and completely FREE (download here)! The things it can do are truly amazing. More and more artists are using this program for their computer graphics and animation needs. A couple short films have already been created using Blender. You can watch some of those here.

Since the Blender website does a much better job at describing what Blender is capable of, we’ll point you to their website to learn about the stunning effects and amazing features of this open source program: Blender Features

We have been writing a couple tutorials on how to do different things with Blender in the Tutorials section. Be sure to check those out as well!

NWTE Logo_files.zip

NWTE_Font_Pack.zip