Monthly log files: Difference between revisions

500 bytes added ,  09:00, 10 November 2013
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→‎Importing pre-Cumulus data: Mention Libre Office 'filter settings'
m (→‎Importing pre-Cumulus data: Mention Libre Office 'filter settings')
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'''Here are some issues to consider.''' There are some postings in the Support Forum about importing past data. Essentially match the fields listed in [[Monthly_log_files#List_of_fields_in_the_file|Monthly log files: List of fields in the file]] below with the fields you have available in your source.
'''Here are some issues to consider.''' There are some postings in the Support Forum about importing past data. Essentially match the fields listed in [[Monthly_log_files#List_of_fields_in_the_file|Monthly log files: List of fields in the file]] below with the fields you have available in your source.
* Dates and times might need some pre-processing (spreadsheet packages usually have ability to select part of a text string and to cocatenate a number of strings) to convert them to text in the formats mentioned above. (Note - it is crucial in a spreadsheet to treat the date as text;  Do not let the spreadsheet recognise it as a date as it might change the format or store as a 'days since X' number).
* Remember that null values are not allowed within a row, so ensure that you enter an obviously wrong value (-99 or zero might be do) between your operating system defined field separator (normally ',' or ';') and make the row length the minimum shown in the list of fields below.  If you use a spreadsheet, treat the file as Comma Separated Value type, but on saving choose the appropriate field separator character (e.g in Libre Office or Open Office 'Save as CSV' select 'Edit Filter Settings').
* Wind directions might be reported as cardinal points (north, south etc) and need converting to bearings in (integer) degrees (spreadsheet packages provide ''look up'' functionality to do such conversions).
* Wind directions might be reported as cardinal points (north, south etc) and need converting to bearings in (integer) degrees (spreadsheet packages provide ''look up'' functionality to do such conversions).
* Dates and times might need some pre-processing (spreadsheet packages usually have ability to select part of a text string and to cocatenate a number of strings) to convert them to text in the formats mentioned above. (Note - it is crucial in a spreadsheet to treat the date as text;  Do not let the spreadsheet recognise it as a date as it might change the format or store as a 'days since X' number).
* Wind speed fields may not directly match to weather station outputs.  See [[#Cumulus_Wind_Speed_Terminology]]
* Wind speed fields may not directly match to weather station outputs.  See [[#Cumulus_Wind_Speed_Terminology]]
* Temperature fields may not directly match to weather station outputs. Copy across the fields you can and set the others to -999.99 so they are obvious. See the [[Monthly_log_files#Using_Monthly_logs_to_deal_with_shorter_.28or_incomplete.29_dayfile.txt_records_for_particular_dates | workaround]] described below for a way of getting Cumulus to generate (from your newly created monthly logs) apparent temperature, wind chill and heat index to replace any -999.99 figures.
* Temperature fields may not directly match to weather station outputs. Copy across the fields you can and set the others to -999.99 so they are obvious. See the [[Monthly_log_files#Using_Monthly_logs_to_deal_with_shorter_.28or_incomplete.29_dayfile.txt_records_for_particular_dates | workaround]] described below for a way of getting Cumulus to generate (from your newly created monthly logs) apparent temperature, wind chill and heat index to replace any -999.99 figures.
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If you prefer to edit the start date and keep the ''recordsT.htm'' template label "Records began on" unchanged, the method is to stop Cumulus, and amend the ''StartDate='' line in [[cumulus.ini]] within the main Cumulus folder before re-starting Cumulus, but (in case you make a mistake) back up everything first!
If you prefer to edit the start date and keep the ''recordsT.htm'' template label "Records began on" unchanged, the method is to stop Cumulus, and amend the ''StartDate='' line in [[cumulus.ini]] within the main Cumulus folder before re-starting Cumulus, but (in case you make a mistake) back up everything first!
=== Cumulus Wind Speed Terminology ===
=== Cumulus Wind Speed Terminology ===
How wind speeds relate to various weather stations is explained in FAQ. Basically there are 3 values stored:
How wind speeds relate to various weather stations is explained in FAQ. Basically there are 3 values stored:
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