The programme consists of three main sections:-
The Data Manager, which runs at the beginning of each Advent session, presently accepts archived or single sensor files from the Argus Host Computer, and converts copies of these into linear time streams of data on a sensor by sensor basis, automatically generating or updating a 'Network Information' file in the process. This part of the programme is virtually transparent to the end-user [of a fast machine!], and will accept any quantity of data in random order. It has a useful spin-off in obviating the need for users to wade through directories full of hieroglyphic filenames when searching for the required data. The user is kept informed of conversion progress from within the opening screen.
The Input windows use the Network Information file noted above to generate an interactive map of the Argus Project Network, and compile an interactive list of Argus station and data details. Both of these windows remain instantly available throughout an Advent session, and users may select data sets to graph from either screen.
The Map window presents Argus stations as icons, any or all of which can be clicked on with the left mouse button to generate graphs. Multiple sensor stations are distinguished by icons of a different colour, and have their own sub-lists from which the user may choose specific sensors.
The List window is oriented more towards keyboard users, although mouse input is equally acceptable. It shows the geographical area, map coordinates (in either national or global format), data type(s) and either the time span or overall statistical information of the data available for each Argus station/sensor held on the user's system.
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The Graphs are also fully interactive. When first generated, they show condensed data for one month, defaulting to the latest month available on the user's system if no specific starting date has been requested. The statistics bar always shows the values relevant to the recording interval. One mouse click is all that is necessary to zoom in on a particular day, to show full data resolution. Any number of days can be examined, whilst maintaining an overall view of a month. Similarly, any number of graphs, limited only by the resources available to Windows, may be place on screen at once, in minimised form if the screen becomes too cluttered.
Many Menu options shadow mouse actions, and also enable users to print out graphs, maps and lists, view and print out numeric data, send graphs or data to other applications via the Windows clipboard, set and clear grid lines, link all graphs to one set of transport buttons (time sync mode), etc., etc.
Finally, this is a non-MDI, multiple instance application, which in effect means that one can call up any number (limited only by system resources) of duplicate graphs, to compare month to month or day to day from the same station/sensor.
System requirements
This ~750Kb self-extracting installation requires a minimum '386 PC with 4Mb RAM, Win 3.1 or more recent, and some Argus Data.
This version of Advent is offered as shareware, the only restriction being the amount of data it can handle - there is no time limit. Registration details can be found in the online help system.
Download some recent Argus data...