What computer?

[owensy]

Hi, this is my first post so please be gentle! I am looking at running my new Maplins £49:99 special to upload data but this means the PC needs to be on 24/7. Do you just use a normal PC or something designed to be run for these lengths?
I was looking a doing a web page but looks a bit too complex for me!

Many thanks,

Paul

[steve]

It doesn't have to be on 24/7, but it's much better if you do that, particularly if you upload to a web site, as your web site updates will stop if you turn off the PC overnight, catching up again in the morning. Any PC will be OK running 24/7; some people use lower power PCs such as netbooks to save on running costs, and I'm working on a version of Cumulus which will run on very low power devices running Linux, such as a Raspberry Pi.

[RayProudfoot]

I still run my Samsung NC10 netbook using XP exclusively for Cumulus. Okay, XP isn't supported any more but I don't browse on it. Cumulus updates are downloaded on my W7 laptop. It sits on a wired network behind a router with a decent firewall so security is good. I rarely have any connection problems with this system.

You should be able to pick up a second-hand netbook on eBay. It will serve you well and power consumption (with the lid down most of the time) will be very small.

[owensy]

Thanks guy!

As I say this is my first full functional weather station, not one that just does temps. Some things to think about.

Cheers,
Paul

[PaulMy]

I was looking a doing a web page but looks a bit too complex for me!

Actually quite easy if you follow the instructions http://wiki.sandaysoft.com/a/Website_setup and have a domain and webhost; I did it . When you are ready to start, have read the excellent help, and still uncertain what is next then just ask.

There are also the weather services like Weather Underground, WOW, PWS that you just need to register with and let Cumulus upload your data to and then you have a weather page on their site.

Paul