Pachube
Pachube.com, is a website that enables its users to share real-time data collected from a series of environment sensors connected to objects and devices around the world. Existing information shared by others can also be used to control actuators based on the data received. There are several feeds currently sharing light levels, wind speed, air quality, humidity, temperature and pressure information, to name a few, facilitating interaction between physical or virtual remote locations.
Arduino users may easily participate in this community. Different sensor and actuators are necessary (temperature, light, pressure, keys, potentiometers, LEDS, etc.) depending on the complexity of the application that one wishes to develop. There are two ways to connect and send/receive information to/from Pachube: connecting the Arduino Duemilanove via USB cable to a computer with Internet access or using an Arduino Ethernet Shield directly connected to the Internet.
Some knowledge of Ethernet, a valid IP or DynDNS are required as well as a Processing application to communicate with an Arduino upon which a Firmata sketch has been installed. (Firmata is a microcontroller communication protocol that allows complete control of the Arduino from software). The Pachube website explains the step-by-step process of designing circuits, connecting sensors and writing the software.
What is also interesting is the ability to mark on a Google map the place where you are running the experiment and acquiring the data, using an API Key that enables publishing the information to the Internet.
Here is a list from the Pachube website that explains some possibilities for the use of its service: community.pachube.com/what_can_i_use_pachube_for.
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