black-dog's dashboard

A comment on the idea "Major changes to imeasure" in iMeasure:

The interpolation isn't working properly where you have zero usage. I'm working on it! – black-dog, on March 23, 2009 13:04

A comment on the idea "Major changes to imeasure" in iMeasure:

A number of users felt that the drop down was confusing. (I'm glad you understood it, but a lot didn't). We looked seriously at the suggestion that imeasure should take the date of entry as the date the reading was taken but came to the conclusion that this was an assumption too far. So we decided that the easiest option was to try to encourage people to take their readings at the same time each week. Then it doesn't matter at what time during the week you enter your results into imeasure. If you are really late in taking your reading, or forget, then simply enter a reading the following week and imeasure will add an average value for the missing week.

All the data is still in the database but has had to be re-arranged to allow for expansion. That means that the code to display stats has to be rewritten but we wanted to get the new version up and running to eliminate the increasing problem of meter rollovers and exchanges. We will be adding more graphs an statistics over the next few months and welcome your suggestions about what you'd like to see. – black-dog, on March 23, 2009 10:56

black-dog marked one of Gary's replies in iMeasure as useful. Gary replied to the idea "Major changes to imeasure".

black-dog replied on March 23, 2009 08:56 to the idea "Major changes to imeasure" in iMeasure:

Yes. We will shortly start work on a more graphical representation of these comparisons.

black-dog marked one of Richard's replies in iMeasure as useful. Richard replied to the idea "Major changes to imeasure".

A comment on the idea "Major changes to imeasure" in iMeasure:

You mean you have been manually changing the timestamps? This won't work now because we have changed the way data is stored. Please email me ( bl[at]ckdog.co.uk ) and I will try to sort it out. – black-dog, on March 22, 2009 22:59

A comment on the idea "Major changes to imeasure" in iMeasure:

We intend to re-instate this feature shortly with the improvement that you will be able to enter your own tariff to enable a more accurate estimation. – black-dog, on March 20, 2009 22:43

black-dog marked one of Hannah's replies in iMeasure as useful. Hannah replied to the idea "Major changes to imeasure".

A comment on the question "I am confused about entering my readings" in iMeasure:

We've done a lot of thinking about this and have come to the conclusion that the simplest option is to encourage users to take their meter readings regularly. It doesn't matter when you add them as long as you take the readings at roughly the same time each week. This way you will be able to see how changes you make will affect your carbon output over time. If you miss a reading, take it at the same time the following week and enter that. imeasure will caculate an average value for the missing reading.

We have also improved the way that you can edit historic readings. The new imeasure is now much better at handling a meter which has gone round the clock. It should be automatic, just keep entering the readings as they appear on your meter.

If your meter is changed, you will have to add it as a new meter in the add meters section. You can simply leave the old meter where it is and stop entering readings or you can delete it. – black-dog, on March 20, 2009 14:48

black-dog replied on March 20, 2009 10:22 to the question "Second Gas meter option please" in iMeasure:

The new version of imeasure is now running and will allow you to add as many meters as you want. From the meter readings page follow the link to add/edit/delete meters (http://www.imeasure.org.uk/addmeter.php) Your existing meters will appear as 'Your meters'. To add a new meter, select the type of meter in the top box and give it a short description so you will know what it is Ignore tariff for the moment. Press enter details and your meter will appear below. You will also be able to add readings to it retrospectively on the meter readings page.

You can delete an old meter but take care not to delete a current meter by mistake.

black-dog shared an idea in iMeasure on March 19, 2009 14:23:

Major changes to imeasure

We have made a major change to the way data is organised on imeasure to allow for future expansion and new features. We have improved the way you enter and edit your data and solved the problem of what happens when a meter goes round the clock.

You can also add multiple gas and electricity meters.

We have improved the graphs and added graphing to the carbon clubs.

Most of the changes should either be self explanatory or require no action on your part but please let us know if you have any problems.

black-dog replied on March 16, 2009 13:19 to the question "Second Gas meter option please" in iMeasure:

An option to add as many meters as you like will be available soon.

A comment on the idea "Clarification and Improvements please" in iMeasure:

The simplest method for us (the developers) would be to have a direct entry, in this case litres. This works for everyone. If we design a system using sight glass readings we have to have a calibration factor and some way of tracking refills. And we have to be sure that all oil systems work this way. – black-dog, on January 28, 2009 15:12

black-dog marked one of Kevin's replies in iMeasure as useful. Kevin replied to the idea "Clarification and Improvements please".

A comment on the idea "Clarification and Improvements please" in iMeasure:

Ah, I misunderstood what you meant. – black-dog, on January 21, 2009 23:43

black-dog replied on January 21, 2009 12:32 to the problem "Gas meter" in iMeasure:

This is being addressed in the development work and in future we will have the ability to add different types of meter. Users will also be able to enter individual tariffs to get a more accurate prediction of cost.

The advice given by Dave Headey is correct. Gas readings are converted to kWh by the system and so have to be entered in cu m or cu ft at the moment.

black-dog replied on January 21, 2009 12:13 to the idea "Clarification and Improvements please" in iMeasure:

The imeasure graph is designed to show trends in usage and as such needs readings taken at regular intervals. The corrections were an attempt to make it easier for the user so that if readings were taken late or early some adjustment could be made. The problem with taking readings at any time is that the points on the graph are plotted using the carbon values derived from the difference between the two readings. Hence a long time period would create a high reading and a short interval a low one. You would not be able to see the effect of any changes you made.

You could argue that we could make any adjustment automatic. Yes we know the date you entered the readings. But we don't know the date you took the readings. So if you took your readings on a Monday and entered them on Wednesday at the moment you need to tell the system that the readings were taken on time.

We are currently engaged in making improvements to imeasure and will certainly bear your comments in mind. Please keep taking your readings but try to ensure they are taken at roughly the same time each week.

black-dog asked a question in iMeasure on July 04, 2008 11:25:

Where can we report problems or errors?

As imeasure is beta software, where can we report any problems or errors that we may encounter?

Also, will there be an opportunity to make suggestions for improvements to the service?

A comment on the question "Calculating average gas use over the year" in iMeasure:

For new users with insufficient readings the carbon rating shows as a misleading A+. Consider hiding the carbon rating until enough readings have been made – black-dog, on July 04, 2008 11:16