WM918 Connection issues in WD

[optrex]

OK results of testing

setserial -g /dev/ttyS*
/dev/ttyS0, UART: 16550A, Port: 0x03f8, IRQ: 4
/dev/ttyS1, UART: 16550A, Port: 0x02f8, IRQ: 3
/dev/ttyS2, UART: 16550A, Port: 0xdff0, IRQ: 21

with the above settings
WD picks up a green data light from my LD250 lightning detector on COM3, COM2 and COM1
WD picks up a green data light from my WM918 Station on COM3 COM2 but not on COM1

Other software picks up LD250 on COM 1,2,and 3
Other software picks up WM918 on COM 1,2 and 3

A bios change to give COM1 a different address,

setserial -g /dev/ttyS*
/dev/ttyS0, UART: 16550A, Port: 0x02f8, IRQ: 3
/dev/ttyS1, UART: 16550A, Port: 0x03f8, IRQ: 4
/dev/ttyS2, UART: 16550A, Port: 0xdff0, IRQ: 21

the results are the same as above.

In my case, I appear to have identified an issue with the WM918 on COM1 using WD Linux. Where the problem is exactly I do not know, but it does seem interesting that others have experienced this also. For me, I am just going to swap the devices over on their COM ports, but I do hope that this testing has gone some way to helping others who have had connectivity issues with this particular setup.

If however you have time and you come up with a fix, then please do let me know and I will be happy to test it for you.

Linux opens opportunity for others in terms of integration as well as operational needs.  For some reason both users (and to some extent you yourself) see the Linux version as a free alternative to the windows product. This means that it doesn't perhaps get the attention to detail that it deserves and users are either steered towards the windows version or just switch to avoid the headaches. While this attitude is in place, its clearly going to be the Cinderella application, when compared to its two ugly sisters where payment is required up front. For me its not about the money, but the freedom to choose. Linux remains DONATIONWARE* and as such a payment would be forthcoming for a reliable, stable, working application that is likely to be supported long term. It would be a shame to lose the application simply because you see users of LINUX as having "attitudes", when perhaps a fresh look from a different angle is all that is needed. The level of support should be the same across all platforms.

Thanks for your time and assistance

 

[Weather Display]

I have removed the Linux version from the download page

[optrex]

I have removed the Linux version from the download page

So having spent quite a bit of time testing and having gone to the effort of posting the results to help others and perhaps assist you to debug, your reaction is to pull the product totally, without any notice at all.

Disgraceful!

[Weather Display]

what is disgraceful has been the attitude of linux users over the years

I have had threatening emails, threatening forum postings, you name it

there are so many distro's and combinations of setups and settings that people have,where issues of things not working is most often due to problems on a users end
(and this thread is just another one of those examples)

 its too hard to support all that

instead I can now spend more time and energy and on the windows and Mac version

[Weather Display]

do you really have to copy all these postings over to your forum Grant?
are you just doing that to do more of your WD bashing on that forum?
I knew you were going to be trouble when you started posting here on this forum

[optrex]

No-one deserves that Brian and I am not aware of the history here that you have had with other users.

I hope you don't think I am being rude, but its almost as though you are taking the feedback I have provided in the posts above personally and I am not sure why. OK, I wasn't happy with reply #3, but are you telling me you would have been happy with the response if the roles were reversed?

You know my feelings and the issues I have had with WD in the past, but I still revisit the product and I still help support and try to guide those who are using it as a platform. You asked me to provide support call for you detailing my Linux issues and here it is. I've provided detailed testing, spent a lot of time identifying the issues, got a fix that finally gets it up and running and 30 minutes later you pull the plug!

Your actions a few minutes ago in removing the LINUX version send out a signal to other customers that if you are not happy or get fed up with something its liable to disappear overnight. That's sort of thing will put doubt in the head of any customer, existing or potential!

[Weather Display]

You know my feelings and the issues I have had with WD in the past

yes, you have posted how much you dislike WD alot already on your forum, you do not need to remind me

Your actions a few minutes ago in removing the LINUX version send out a signal to other customers that if you are not happy or get fed up with something its liable to disappear overnight. That's sort of thing will put doubt in the head of any customer, existing or potentia

it was donationware, and very few donations at that, so there are no customers to loose by not providing it any more

instead I can now concentrate more on the windows and mac version

[optrex]

do you really have to copy all these postings over to your forum Grant?
are you just doing that to do more of your WD bashing on that forum?
I knew you were going to be trouble when you started posting here on this forum

Can we please just get on with the support of the product. If you have nothing further to say that is constructive then I will assume the matter is closed and this thread can be locked. I have no desire to host a personal crusade against you or WD. No-one is bashing the product. If you think that providing constructive feedback is WD bashing then I'm sorry but you are in the wrong game. I wish you luck with your business and in growing your product catalogue to the benefit of weather enthusiasts.
 

[Weather Display]

I have no desire to host a personal crusade against you or WD. No-one is bashing the product.

but that is exactly what you are and have been doing on your own NZ weather forum, in by copying posts from this thread to that forum is just carrying on with that , putting me and WD into a bad light on your forum (where you have openly said you do not like WD )

[Coyote]

Since when do you let a idiot get your goat . I run the same Weather Station but the American one Its his setup not your software. If he is too stupid to find the problem that is his problem he has no business running linux (its quite easy Bud) He should be banned from here. Why do us Linux users have to suffer. We have given Brian our full support. I encourage you to bring back Linux . Put you in a bad light I don't think so Brian
Coyote

[Outbreak Monkey]

Since when do you let a idiot get your goat . I run the same Weather Station but the American one Its his setup not your software. If he is too stupid to find the problem that is his problem he has no business running linux (its quite easy Bud) He should be banned from here. Why do us Linux users have to suffer. We have given Brian our full support. I encourage you to bring back Linux . Put you in a bad light I don't think so Brian
Coyote

Wow, I'm really disappointed with this 'support' forum.

First: I don't think my reply belongs in this thread, so move it to another thread if any of you 'moderators' want... This reply will probably get ME banned anyway by the sound of things!
--
Now I don't know what else has occurred in the past, but as a relatively new user I also have quirky bugs and errors in various WD versions and most of them are problems with the interaction between the software, my Linux, and physical hardware etc...

I also have a Mac running OS 10.5, which ALSO has had quirky problems with the trial WD - I couldn't get it working (yes, I'm sure it's my fault).

We write software for a completely different industry, and I'd guess 99% of the problems we get are ID10Ts but they're still valid problems.

Like I said, if Brian is getting threatening emails that's one thing, but this thread to me makes it look like a case of "It's my bat and ball and I'm going home". Or a convenient excuse to stop development on a product that is a pain to maintain - Which I have NO problem with, Linux and Linux Users can be a total nightmare!

BUT, Back on the thread:

NO, I don't think Brian was all that helpful.
Post #1 by Optrex - A reasonable post, with technical information. A reasonable question to an intermittent problem.
Post #2 by Windy - Adds nothing to the thread. (Windy says "So it does work?")
Post #3 by Optrex - Adds nothing to the thread (Optrex says it has worked, once yes. So there is hope )

The trouble obviously started in Posts #4 and #5:
Post #4 (Windy):

then you just need to repeat the settings/serial properties, etc , you had when it was working

Now tell me that NONE of you here have not been frustrated by an answer like this? When you call your ISP or are getting tech support on your Toaster, or something else!? - Yes it might be the correct answer but as far as a response to a support question, seriously?

Even no response or an "I'm sorry, if it has worked once, there's nothing in our experience that would indicate there's something in WD," would have been more helpful.

So to me Post #5 - was quite reasonable. NOT pleasant, but understandable.

Oh dear   I'm sorry but can't believe that's a serious reply to a support question.
Do you not think that given the detail that was put in the original post that I've tried that already?

I got it working just by changing and swapping settings. Eventually it picked up from COM 1 (as it should), but it stopped working again after a save and exit. To avoid any doubt I have tried a similar approach several times since but it has not been effective.

Reading ALL of the other posts here, I don't see anything unreasonable or objectionable to what the user Optrex user said.

From the content of this thread, it appears Brian got the sh**s and decided to stop supporting linux, and perhaps Optrex's comments were the "last straw" - I understand that, but then everyone else getting on the band wagon, talking about banning Optrex, and deleting posts for 'moderation purposes', paying him out for cross posting - come on what is this?

Sure the Linux version is free - if it was me developing and my free version went well, I'd be looking to roll out a commercial version and cash in on it.
Sun give out Java for 'Free' - I'm sure they get their fair share of grief, SURE it's a lame comparison, (small operator vs a multinational), but my point is "It's Free" doesn't make it any less frustrating when it doesn't work and as a user you've spent hours screwing around trying to get something to work.

On a whole, Windy is a commercial software developer FFS!! It's his prerogative to discontinue support, but I see nothing wrong with the content of the thread or Optrex's comments - try re-reading the thread again, from the start (as an objective observer) - I don't think it's the cross-posting on other forums that paints you in a bad light Brian.

Nik.

[Weather Display]

it was optrex's attitude that it was  nothing he was doing wrong...when it was in fact a problem on his end he discovered

but there is history here, he has been openly posting that he does not like WD on his own forum, and that he had trouble with the linux version crashing with a metar download to update WD..I ran that test and had no problems for 48 hours...so there was no stability problem to fix for me

so I know he does not like WD at all, and so when he comes along and said it does not work with a WM918, when it fact it does, and I tested it here and it does, then I thought, enough is enough, the guy does not like the product, it does not work for him, so I was only providing minimal support

also you must have missed the other thread, where because of lots of support here from Linux users I am going to continue developing the Linux version