Today's tip is about PAC Control error code -8626, Invalid Control Engine Name.

This error may appear if you've used one computer to develop your PAC Control strategy and then later use a different computer to modify it.

Here's why this error may occur and the easy way to recover from it.

People get excited about groov because they can monitor and control automation systems and equipment from their smartphones. 

And it's true, groov makes it simple to build your own mobile app for just the equipment and systems you want to see.

If you've had your groov Box or groov Server for almost a year now, you'll soon be seeing a renewal email for groov Maintenance.

What is groov Maintenance? It's simple: groov Maintenance lets you get groov updates for free.

Check out these two new How-to Workshop videos for groov:

Using the Trend gadget in groov—groov 2.2 makes real-time trends much more flexible, with up to 4 pens, up to 7 days of data, and more. Watch this new video and see how to add the trends you need for your application.

Is there a way to see whether a specific tag from your tag database is currently in use in your groov mobile interface?

Absolutely.

You can also find out where a tag is used, what gadget it's attached to, and whether it is used multiple times. Here's how.

Are you as fascinated as we are by the variety of "smart" devices now becoming available—and affordable?

One of these is Belkin's WeMo switch. Plug the switch into an electrical outlet, plug in a light or appliance, and you can remotely turn it on or off with your smartphone.

Our own OptoMary couldn't resist writing a little PAC Control code for the WeMo so she could add it to her groov mobile operator interface. She explains how she did it and includes her sample WeMo flowchart in this Control "smart" devices - WeMo Example OptoForum post.

To build a mobile user interface in groov, you drag and drop pre-built gadgets—like gauges, switches, and indicators—onto the screen. Then you tag each one with an input, an output, a variable, or another tag from your tag server.

If you're building a groov interface for an Opto 22 SNAP PAC System, your tag server is the tag database in PAC Control.

You've heard a lot from us about groov, But you may be wondering which groov is right for you.

Let's compare a few choices.

groov Box or groov Server?

groov software and the operator interfaces you build are served in one of two ways: from a hardware appliance (the groov Box) or from a Microsoft Windows computer (groov Server for Windows). Here's how to decide which one you need.

Choose the groov Box (GROOV-AT1) if:

groov is designed for building simple mobile operator interfaces, but some of you have asked about more advanced features.

For example, you've asked if it's possible to put one gadget on top of another.

In most cases that won't work, because the gadget on top "wins"—it's the one users will see and be able to use.

But sometimes you can use a special trick to put an image gadget on top of another gadget and have the combination work to your advantage. The two graphics above show one use of this trick: making an arrow appear or disappear based upon whether you're filling or draining a tank.