If you read the reviews you will find that after some indepth testing the only brand to buy is a genuine Intel SSD. All of the others have severe performance degredation (as they age). So I'd consider the following; 1) Do you really need an SSD for this computer? If not stick to a standard HDD and wait until this exciting technology matures (won't take long!). 2) If you believe that an SSD is the best solution for your new computer then purchase an Intel SSD and be prepared to find that in the not too distant future the technology will mature thus making your SSD will be an expensive dinosaur. 3) Install a cheaper SSD and consider it as an experiment and be prepared to throw it out after a year or so.

Luc, Thank you for this most valuable insight - I did not think to search "Industrial Controls", but it has revealed some VERY valuable information and will give me the necessary guidance that I need to get started. I have also found "USB port" and "Serial port" very useful. Wishing you every happiness, - I notice you live in Belgium, - I hope you are enjoying the start of your Summer, - I live in Sydney, Australia and we are well in the grip of our Winter - I can't wait for the return of the warmer weather and the opportunity to swim and sit under a tree while working. Regards, Christopher

Dear Jon_Boy, "Sounds like a homework question to me. You might start to get some overly hostile responses with dumb posts like this." This is definitely NOT a "homework question" - I must apologise profusely if it sounds like one and also if this post is construed as a "dump post". "Sorry. I got my degree years ago and NO, I won't do your homework/work for you. Feel free to search CodeProject for tutorials and post back any specific questions with your current code." I tried to be explicit and detail exactly what I was trying to achieve. You might be interested to know that; 1) I spent several hours searching/trolling Google. 2) I also spent quite some time searching CodePoject. 3) I was hoping to find some guidance as to an overall approach to take for this problem, so that I could go away and learn the required technologies. I currently have an understanding of VB an C#, but it is many years since I was employed as a professional programmer (like you I have a degree in computing) so I am a little behind the "8-ball" when it comes to the latest technologies etc, hence why I sort the advise of the experts, - I was not seeking the entire solution just guidance on how to best approach this problem. Thank you again for your input. Regards, Sciencez

Thank you for taking the time to read my question. I am not sure that you provided any real new information. I was looking for two types of answers; 1) An answer from a person with computer interfacing experience who understands the riggers of data collection in a hostile environment (e.g. one with limited resources and difficult environmental conditions) where there is no access to the internet and the need to have a simple and stable application. Such a person would be able to suggest a broad approach to the solution (i.e. technologies to use etc.) and say why such an approach is a good idea (based on experience) - after all there is little to be gained from re-inventing the wheel!!. 2) An answer that provided specific solutions (with source code). You might be interested to know that I have already received one such answer that addressed a particular part of the issue/problem aforementioned. In response to your answer to part 2 of my question (i.e. "No. Its not my job.") - I thought (and still believe) that this forum was for people with detailed knowledge and/or expertise in a particular area to assist others (who have different knowledge or expertise) to address issues that they are struggling with (or wish to learn more about) - your response suggests that you see it otherwise. If we all assist each other (especially in these difficult economic times) we all survive and progress. Thank you again for taking the time to read my question. Sincerely Sciencez

Thank you for your response - I was amazed at how fast you responded - I had only put the question up a few minutes earlier. I will investigate the leads you provided and get my head around the code. Again thank you for your thoughtfulness, Regards, Sciencez

Dear Reader/Developer, I want to develop a stand alone digital dashboard application to present live data from input coming into the computer ports (e.g. USB, serial or parallel port). The data is of an engineering type (e.g. volumes, mass, loads, velocity, etc). 1) What technologies do you recommend I use? (I am keen to learn what ever is required - I currently have an understanding of VB.NET and C#.NET). 2) Do you have any source code? 3) Which port would you recommend I use and why? 4) Which platform (i.e. a Windows form or internet browser application) would you recommend and why? The final application will be running in a hostile and stand-alone environment, so I need to ensure the solution is simple and robust. Notes: 1) I have spent a considerable amount of time searching and trolling Google pages with little definitive success. However I did find that there were several different approaches to developing digital dashboards so I am left wondering which one is the most robust approach for my problem? 2)I do not have a large budget to purchase one of the many digital dash boards development suites that are out there at huge cost. 3) This is definitely not a homework task - it is simply a genuine enquiry to gauge how best to approach this problem. Thank you for reading and considering this question, Regards, Christopher (Sciencez) :)

modified on Thursday, June 4, 2009 2:49 PM

Dear Reader/Developer, I want to develop a stand alone digital dashboard application to present live data from input coming into the computer ports (e.g. USB, serial or parallel port). The data is of an engineering type (e.g. volumes, mass, loads, velocity, etc). 1) What technologies do you recommend I use? (I am keen to learn what ever is required - I currently have an understanding of VB.NET and C#.NET). 2) Do you have any source code? 3) Which port would you recommend I use and why? 4) Which platform (i.e. a Windows form or internet browser application) would you recommend and why? The final application will be running in a hostile and stand-alone environment, so I need to ensure the solution is simple and robust. Notes: 1) I have spent a considerable amount of time searching and trolling Google pages with little definitive success. However I did find that there were several different approaches to developing digital dashboards so I am left wondering which one is the most robust approach for my problem? 2)I do not have a large budget to purchase one of the many digital dash boards development suites that are out there at huge cost. 3) This is definitely not a homework task - it is simply a genuine enquiry to gauge how best to approach this problem. Thank you for reading and considering this question, Regards, Christopher (Sciencez) :)

I have been searching the site for articles (and how to's) about developing digital gauges and dashboards (for the presentation of real time data), I have found only one article. I would like to develop an application that is web based (to keep the foot print to a minimum) it is being developed for fun (not for commercial use but it needs to be robust). The data will be real time, (e.g. wind direction, wind strength, GPS data, etc) Some of the data will be from NMEA devices. I would much appreciate; 1) Articles from others (code snippets would be great!); 2) Suggestions on the best language(s) to use. 3) Other websites to visit - I have searched the Internet and only found commercial stuff, - i.e. companies selling packages - most don't look too convincing! (or they want an arm and a leg!!!). 4) Any other suggestions. Regards, Sciencez

modified on Friday, January 18, 2008 10:37:11 AM