I am thinking about writing a .NET telnet interface for the Neptune controller. It would give you the ability to read data from probs and control outputs on the controller. I've have been thinking a lot about automation. I really like the stability that a PLC or SCADA system provides but I want to go a lot further with the software and user experience. Here is my ultimate solution. Use PLC/SCADA hardware at the location of the tank. This technology has been around forever and is solid as a rock. I am also contemplating an embedded XP system depending on the hardware interfaces for the probs and sensors. This hardware would sit on an Ethernet network and communicate to an OPC server (O.L.E for Process Control) which basically gives you a COM interface on the PC side. At this point the sky is the limit and I can use .NET to write any further software.
Here are a few links if anyone is interested in OPC and control systems.
http://www.opcfoundation.org/
http://www.opcconnect.com/
http://www.opcconnect.com/ua.php
http://www.control.com/
http://sourceforge.net/projects/modbus-xml
http://www.phidgetsusa.com/
Please post if any of this interests anyone.
Here are a few links if anyone is interested in OPC and control systems.
http://www.opcfoundation.org/
http://www.opcconnect.com/
http://www.opcconnect.com/ua.php
http://www.control.com/
http://sourceforge.net/projects/modbus-xml
http://www.phidgetsusa.com/
Please post if any of this interests anyone.