CC2 Feature Request.

Ironman1965

New member
I bought this unit thinking it was a little more versatile than it actually is. The hardware is light years ahead of it's competition. The area I believe it to be lacking is the software implementation. Particularly where the SCAB module is concerned. The ability to read external probe/fan temperatures/speeds is an excellent feature, but without a robust selection of "todo" options tie into these monitors they are pretty much useless. What would be a nice addition to add here would be the ability to trigger events off the fan speeds and temperature probe readings for example if a certain speed or temperature is reached, send email, run program, execute script etc. and allow the inclusion of multiple event and prioritizing of such events. PC's aren't just being used for games or spread sheets anymore. They are used for HTPC's and even for complete home automation ie. HVAC. I am using mine to monitor external temperatures in critical electronic equipment that can be powered on and off by the PC. It would be nice to be able to use this hardware and software to monitor and protect these electronics.
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CF Mark

Administrator
CrystalControl2 does have an event system which is decently powerful, but it cant do everything and cater for everyone's specific needs.
CC2 was also never designed to be used in applications where reliability is very important.

If you want to monitor/control this "critical electronic equipment", i suggest you develop your own specialised software for the task.
If you have some programming experience it shouldnt take too long with the help of the example source code which is available (see the WinTest software).
 

Ironman1965

New member
I wasn't asking for it to do everything. I was asking to have a couple features added. I'm not a programmer and more than likely never will be. Not because I don't want to, but because life doesn't provide me enough time to. This is why I made the request in the first place. I guess I was wrong to ask. Thanks.

BTW. When I posted on a Home Theater/Automation forum about this device and it's potential capabilities, I received many PM's asking me for more info on your product. I guess I won't be able to tell them much. That is too bad because there is, to the best of my knowledge and research, nothing out there that has the potential capabilities of your device to serve that communities needs.
 
When a piece of software is used for "critical" applications, different expectations come into play. Most commercial software and virtually all free software are not qualified to serve in "critical" applications. Software publishers can not guarantee that a piece of code will never fail, or meet someone else's criteria.

Look at it this way... suppose that you wrote a clever program and published it. Someone comes along and wants to use it to control medical devices, or air traffic, or important utility control (electric power, heating, cooling, etc). If there is a situation where a patient dies, or a plane crashes, or a building loses power or burns down, would you want their lawyers contacting you because your software was a reason for the failure?

So lighten up. As for adding features to CC2, how many man-hours would you have them spend, adding onto a free program, when the additions are not even directly related to supporting the main product (LCD displays)?

BTW, this is all just my opinion, don't get down on CFA because of it.
 

Ironman1965

New member
When a piece of software is used for "critical" applications, different expectations come into play. Most commercial software and virtually all free software are not qualified to serve in "critical" applications. Software publishers can not guarantee that a piece of code will never fail, or meet someone else's criteria.

Look at it this way... suppose that you wrote a clever program and published it. Someone comes along and wants to use it to control medical devices, or air traffic, or important utility control (electric power, heating, cooling, etc). If there is a situation where a patient dies, or a plane crashes, or a building loses power or burns down, would you want their lawyers contacting you because your software was a reason for the failure?

So lighten up. As for adding features to CC2, how many man-hours would you have them spend, adding onto a free program, when the additions are not even directly related to supporting the main product (LCD displays)?

BTW, this is all just my opinion, don't get down on CFA because of it.
I wasn't getting down on CFA. I also wasn't suggesting to use this app in anything more critical than issuing a shutdown script to a PC (which BTW it does support). I didn't see my suggestion as a big deal and was rather insulted that I was being accused of asking for a specific need. There is not a software provider out there free or paid that doesn't expand the abilities of their code and Crystal Control is no exception (otherwise there would be no CC2 and only the original). I guess my use of the word critical was an overstatement. A better word would be valued equipment. No matter. I was just trying to help CFA expand their user/customer base. There is a use for hardware/software that can monitor and respond to fan and temperature data (try counting how many PC monitoring programs are out there). This would give them a niche market that is to the best of my research not supported by any competition, which usually adds up to profit. I still think this LCD I purchased is an excellent piece of hardware and has amazing potential. I just hate to see potential go unexploited (especially when I can exploit the exploited potential). ;)
 

CF Mark

Administrator
Well, see this discussion has come about as you never stated your requirements.
When you say "critical", i take that as meaning properly critical in a business sense, ie, if something goes wrong, lots of money/time/work is lost.

A HTPC isnt anywhere near critical by comparison.

So, can you state exactly what you are after?
I can then tell you what CC2 can do, and if it can be adapted.
 

Ironman1965

New member
Mostly what I'm looking for is the ability to trigger a program (exe, cmd, bat, etc.) at a given temperature on a per probe basis. From there I could make the triggered bat or cmd do what I need.
 

CF Mark

Administrator
Ok, well that i can do :)
It will probably only work when CC2 is running as a user app though (not as a NT service).

Ill add it to the top of my CC2 to-do list, but it may not be done for a while.
 
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