[Xastir] Perl code to talk to Lacross Weather Stations

[Curt, WE7U]

The below message is forwarded from another list.  We might be able
to use this Perl module directly from within Xastir to query the
Lacrosse weather stations, or borrow ideas from the code or from
open2300 so that we can directly talk to the device instead of
having to install open2300 + MySQL just to have Xastir get the data.

FWIW I have some Lacrosse 2317 stations to test with.  I have an
original Dallas One-Wire station as well but that's not pertinent to
this perl code, just to Xastir testing in general.

--
Curt, WE7U: <www.eskimo.com/~archer/>     XASTIR: <www.xastir.org>
  "Lotto:  A tax on people who are bad at math." -- unknown
"Windows:  Microsoft's tax on computer illiterates." -- WE7U
The world DOES revolve around me:  I picked the coordinate system!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 28 Oct 2007 20:06:43 -0600
From: Ed Santiago <yahoo at edsantiago.com>
Reply-To: Lacrosse_weather_stations at yahoogroups.com
To: Lacrosse_weather_stations at yahoogroups.com
Subject: [LacrosseWS] ANNOUNCE: Device::LaCrosse::WS23xx 0.01

I have created a new perl module for talking to La Crosse WS-23xx
units.  It will soon be available on CPAN as Device::LaCrosse::WS23xx
or under here:

    http://cpan.org/authors/id/E/ES/ESM/Device-LaCrosse-WS23xx-0.01.tar.gz

That might take a few hours.  Until then you can also download it from:

    http://www.edsantiago.com/Device-LaCrosse-WS23xx-0.01.tar.gz

Device::LaCrosse::WS23xx provides a simple interface for reading data
from La Crosse Technology WS-2300 series weather stations.  It is
based on the Open2300 project, but differs in several respects:

* Simplicity: the interface is simple and intuitive.  For hackers, the
  Tied interface makes it easy to visualize the address space.  And
  you don't have to do any of the nybble shifting or masking: it's all
  done for you.

* Versatility: read the values you want, in the units you want.  Write
  a script that logs only the values you're interested in.

* Caching: to minimize communication errors, Device::LaCrosse::WS23xx
  reads large blocks and caches them for a few seconds.

* Debugging: the La Crosse units don't always communicate too
  reliably.  Use the trace option to log serial I/O and track down
  problems.

Device::LaCrosse::WS23xx is intended for Perl hackers who
want a simple way to talk to their La Crosse weather station.
It could also be useful for non-Perl-types who want a simple
way to explore their devices.

Device::LaCrosse::WS23xx is standalone; it does not require Open2300.

NOTE: this is ALPHA code.  That means it works for me, is
somewhat well documented, but still has work left to do on the
error-handling and usability fronts.  Comments welcome.

(OBTW: this is Linux code.  It should work on other Unices,
but will definitely not work on Windows).

Enjoy,

Ed
-- 
Ed Santiago               Toolsmith               ed at edsantiago.com