Upgrade Question

[EphraimGadsby]

Hi folks,

I could use some help. Please bear in mind that I am not in the least "technical" which is part of my issue as it's made me put off the inevitable upgrade and migration of my WeatherCat data.

I am currently running WeatherCat 2.44 on a very old Mac (2009) and a very out dated version of OSX. For many reasons, I would like to upgrade to WeatherCat 3, and also a newer Mac. One of the reasons I have put this off is that I don't trust myself not to lose all my historical weather data.

Sorry to ask really dumb questions, but can I simply buy a new mac, Install WeatherCat 3 on it and then, once up and running, restore from my latest WeatherCat 2 daily backup which I have on an external drive? Will that work, or are the file locations somehow different between versions - bear in mind I won't be able to simply install WeatherCat 3 "over the top" of the previous install, as it will be on a totally different machine.

I don't know what other info you might need. I have a Davis Vantage VUE which has a datalogger to collect data while I faff with the upgrade. Presumably once restored from a backup (assuming this is possible) I would then restart WeatherCat 3 to invoke a download of the datalogger to bring everything back up to date? I haven't customised WeatherCat in any way (beyond entering station details and my email details for alerts etc.), It's just been running "as is" since I installed it.

I did think about migrating my existing WeatherCat 2 application and data over to a new mac first and then installing WeatherCat 3 on top in the hope that the install process would take care of everything, but will the Weathercat 2 application still open on a newer mac OS? I know lots of my other previous software no longer does.

Thank you, and apologies for any stupid questions.

EG

[elagache]

Dear EphraimGadsby and WeatherCat faithful,

I am currently running WeatherCat 2.44 on a very old Mac (2009) and a very out dated version of OSX. For many reasons, I would like to upgrade to WeatherCat 3, and also a newer Mac. One of the reasons I have put this off is that I don't trust myself not to lose all my historical weather data.

You need not be too concerned about losing your data.  WeatherCat 2 and 3 use the same data format and store data in the same locations.

Sorry to ask really dumb questions, but can I simply buy a new mac, Install WeatherCat 3 on it and then, once up and running, restore from my latest WeatherCat 2 daily backup which I have on an external drive? Will that work, or are the file locations somehow different between versions - bear in mind I won't be able to simply install WeatherCat 3 "over the top" of the previous install, as it will be on a totally different machine.

How do you maintain your backups?  If you use a backup software that Apple can read like Time Machine, the simplest is to allow Apple to restore your total environment on your new machine.  If that isn't practical.  It is possible to manually move all the required files from your old machine to the correct location on your new computer.  The instructions can be found on the WeatherCat Wiki:

https://wiki.trixology.com/index.php?title=Moving_a_WeatherCat_installation_from_one_computer_to_another

Once you have done this, you can then replace your copy of WeatherCat 2 with a copy of WeatherCat 3, and when launched, it will automatically take care of any upgrading file issues.

I don't know what other info you might need. I have a Davis Vantage VUE which has a datalogger to collect data while I faff with the upgrade. Presumably once restored from a backup (assuming this is possible) I would then restart WeatherCat 3 to invoke a download of the datalogger to bring everything back up to date? I haven't customised WeatherCat in any way (beyond entering station details and my email details for alerts etc.), It's just been running "as is" since I installed it.

The Davis data loggers store a large amount of data, usually more than sufficient to cover the time required to convert from one computer to another.  The WeatherCat Wiki also has a table of the capacity of the data logger depending on your sample interval. 

https://wiki.trixology.com/index.php?title=Capacity_of_the_Davis_data-logger_to_store_weather_data_depending_on_the_chosen_sampling_interval

You can double-check what your sample Interval is by checking the station settings under WeatherCat Tools menu.

Thank you, and apologies for any stupid questions.

Absolutely no worries!    Most of us have collected enough data that we would hate to lose it.  So everybody understands your concerns.

Cheers, Edouard 

[EphraimGadsby]

Thank you, Edouard.

I don't intend to migrate wholesale to the new mac using Time Machine (I actually already have the other Mac up and running, and have had for a while. I just want to re-purpose it to weather logging duties).

Now if I understand this correctly, WeatherCat 2 need never come into the equation. I simply...

Disconnect the Davis from the Mac (this feels like major willpower will be required!), and let the datalogger start doing its thing (the intervals and capacity are ok).

follow the instructions for migrating data:
https://wiki.trixology.com/index.php?title=Moving_a_WeatherCat_installation_from_one_computer_to_another

Then, once that data is on the new mac, download and install WeatherCat 3, which should open and sort everything out. Though it won't see the Davis at this point as it is happily logging standalone.

Then make sure the correct silicone labs driver is installed on the new mac.

Connect the Davis and away we go, logger download an' all?

Will I need to re-enter the station details (lat, long, elevation etc.) or is that all contained in the data I migrated above.

Also, I'm presuming I could download the WeatherCat 3 app on a trial basis and actually test this out on the new Mac without interrupting or otherwise touching the old mac at all. Then when happy, get the Davis moved over and purchase the license.

May I also just take this moment to thank the creators of WeatherCat and all those who provide support on here. I have needed to ask questions rarely as WeatherCat is so stable it just works for years on end with no real input from me. The downside to this stability is that I can't remember what I did years ago to set it up the first time!

EG

[EphraimGadsby]

I have just noticed that step 1 in migrating the data states:

"Place a copy of the WeatherCat application folder in the target computer's Application folder."

In my case should this be WeatherCat 2?
i.e. I put WeatherCat 2 on the new mac, then migrate the data, then install WeatherCat 3 over the top and let it sort things out?

Sorry, I thought I had it for a second then, only to become instantly confused again. I'm not very compatible with technology really!

[elagache]

Dear EphraimGadsby and WeatherCat faithful,

. . . . .
Now if I understand this correctly, WeatherCat 2 need never come into the equation. I simply...

Disconnect the Davis from the Mac (this feels like major willpower will be required!), and let the datalogger start doing its thing (the intervals and capacity are ok).

follow the instructions for migrating data:
https://wiki.trixology.com/index.php?title=Moving_a_WeatherCat_installation_from_one_computer_to_another

Okay, thus far 100% correct.

"Place a copy of the WeatherCat application folder in the target computer's Application folder."

In my case should this be WeatherCat 2?
i.e. I put WeatherCat 2 on the new mac, then migrate the data, then install WeatherCat 3 over the top and let it sort things out?

Actually just skip this step.  WeatherCat 3 has its own installer now.  Just follow the instructions when you download the disk image and it will direct you to put a copy of WeatherCat 3 into the Applications folder "automagically." 

Then, once that data is on the new mac, download and install WeatherCat 3, which should open and sort everything out. Though it won't see the Davis at this point as it is happily logging standalone.

Actually, WeatherCat will not launch unless it is able to connect to a weather station.  So you will need to provide all drivers and make the physical switch of cables before-hand.

Then make sure the correct silicone labs driver is installed on the new mac.

So you need to do this first.  Once more we have information on how to get the latest Silicon Labs drivers on the Wiki:

https://wiki.trixology.com/index.php?title=Obtaining_the_latest_drivers_for_use_with_Davis_data_loggers

Connect the Davis and away we go, logger download an' all?

When you get all your data moved over and then install WeatherCat 3, it will take are of any upgrading issues silently and then explicitly download the contents of the Davis data logger.  It all has to be done on the first launch of WeatherCat 3.

Will I need to re-enter the station details (lat, long, elevation etc.) or is that all contained in the data I migrated above.

All your own settings including Weather Station details are migrated over using the procedure described in the Wiki.

Also, I'm presuming I could download the WeatherCat 3 app on a trial basis and actually test this out on the new Mac without interrupting or otherwise touching the old mac at all. Then when happy, get the Davis moved over and purchase the license.

Yes, you can download the trial version and use that to make the migration.  You have 30 days to purchase the license. 

May I also just take this moment to thank the creators of WeatherCat and all those who provide support on here. I have needed to ask questions rarely as WeatherCat is so stable it just works for years on end with no real input from me. The downside to this stability is that I can't remember what I did years ago to set it up the first time!

Let me join you in thanking our fearless leader Stu!  (Stuart Ball, WeatherCat developer) . . . .

As to us WeatherCatters who hang out on this forum . . . . . . Awe shucks!  You are making us blush! . . . .

Cheers, Edouard 

[EphraimGadsby]

Hi,

Just a quick note to say that I've completed the migration to a new mac, and to WeatherCat 3 (evaluation).

Everything seems to be working as it should so will pop over to the Purchase page and get an upgrade license sorted.

Thanks again for all the help (here and elswhere on the forum, I had to search around for some advice to get the Silabs driver installed on the newer Mac OS).

I'm a very happy chap.

EG

[Blicj11]

I love it when a WeatherCatter solves a problem. Nice work. And thanks to Edouard for once again coming to the rescue; give that man a raise!

[elagache]

Dear EphraimGadsby, Blick, and WeatherCat faithful,

. . . .
I'm a very happy chap

Glad to hear it! 

. . . . . And thanks to Edouard for once again coming to the rescue; give that man a raise!

  . . . . . I'll have you know that all that advice was absolutely free - and worth every penny! . . . . . .

I guess, . . . . . . I suppose, . . . . . . I guess . . . .

 

Cheers, Edouard