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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) --
Software

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Software descriptions  |  Software download instructions  |  Go to FTP site

FAQs have been organized into the following categories:

bullet Software questions (this page)
bullet General instrument questions
bullet General oceanographic questions
bullet Recommended practices
bullet Service
bullet Ordering
bullet Data analysis and processing
bullet Manufacturing

Our Glossary page is another good source of information.

 

I am confused by all these software names. Which software does what?

Sea-Bird’s software package is called SEASOFT©. SEASOFT is available in both Windows and DOS versions. However, processing capability added to our software after early 2001 has been added only to the Windows versions (for example, processing data from new Sea-Bird instruments or interfacing to additional auxiliary sensors). Sea-Bird recommends that all customers use the Windows version, unless there is a compelling reason to run DOS.

Windows Software

DOS Software

 

Can I install my Sea-Bird CD-ROM on multiple computers or give it to another interested scientist?

You are free to install the software on multiple computers and to give the software to any interested potential user.

Sea-Bird's SEASOFT© software is provided free of charge to Sea-Bird users and is not subject to any license. SEASOFT is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual property laws and treaties. All title and copyrights in and to SEASOFT and the accompanying printed materials, and any copies of SEASOFT, are owned by Sea-Bird Electronics. There are no restrictions on its use or distribution, provided such use does not infringe on our copyright.

The software is posted on our ftp site and anyone can download it.

 

How can I copy the setup of my Sea-Bird software onto another computer?

A setup file is used by Seasave V7, Seasave-Win32 (version < 7.0), and by each module in SBE Data Processing to remember the way you had the program set up. You can save the file to a desired filename and location, and then use it when you run the software the next time, to ensure that the software will be set up the same way:

If you want to set up real-time acquisition or data processing on more than one computer in the same way, simply copy the file for the desired setup *, and transfer it to the other computer via your network, email, a CD-ROM, or some other media. Then, after you open the software on the second computer, select the setup file you want to use.

* Note: For Seasave-Win32 (version < 7.0), you also need to copy all the window display setup files that are referenced in the .cfg file.

 

How can I view CTD data?

You can plot the raw data from a .dat or .hex file with Seasave V7 or Seasave-Win32.

Once the data is converted to a .cnv file with engineering units (using SBE Data Processing’s Data Conversion), you can plot the data in SBE Data Processing’s Sea Plot.

If you wish to view the actual numbers you can open the .cnv file (if it was converted as ASCII) with any word processor or text editor.

 

What is a configuration (.con or .xmlcon) file and how is it used?

The configuration file defines the instrument ‑ auxiliary sensors integrated with the instrument, and channels, serial numbers, and calibration dates and coefficients for all the integrated sensors (conductivity, temperature, and pressure as well as auxiliary sensors). Sea-Bird’s real-time acquisition and data processing software uses the information in the configuration file to interpret and process the raw data (sensor frequencies and voltages). If the configuration file does not match the actual instrument configuration, the software will not be able to interpret and process the data correctly.

When Sea-Bird ships a new instrument, we include a .con or .xmlcon file that reflects the current instrument configuration. The file is named with the instrument serial number, followed with the .con or .xmlcon extension. For example, for an instrument with serial number 2375, Sea-Bird names the .con file 2375.con. You may rename the configuration file if desired; this will not affect the results.

Seasave V7 and SBE Data Processing versions 7.20 introduced .xmlcon files (in XML format). Versions 7.20 and later allow you to open a .con or .xmlcon file, and to save it to a .con or .xmlcon file.

To view or modify the configuration file, use the Configure Inputs menu in Seasave V7, or the Configure menu in SBE Data Processing or Seasave-Win32.

Notes:

 

What is a .psa file and how is it used?

A .psa (program setup) file is used by Seasave V7 and by each module in SBE Data Processing to remember the way you had the program set up. You can save the .psa file to a desired filename and location, and then use it when you run the software the next time, to ensure that the software will be set up the same way:

If you want to set up real-time acquisition or data processing on more than one computer in the same way, simply copy the .psa file for the desired setup, and transfer it to the other computer via your network, email, a CD-ROM, or some other media. Then, after you open the software on the second computer, select the .psa file you want to use.

 

What is a .cfg file and how is it used?

A .cfg file is used  by Seasave-Win32 (version < 7.0) to remember the way you had the program set up. The .cfg file is created by Seasave-Win32 to store program settings, such as the instrument .con file name and path, serial ports, water sampler, serial data output, etc. as well as size, placement, and setup for each display window. You can save the .cfg file to a desired filename and location, and then use it when you run the software the next time, to ensure that the software will be set up the same way.

If you want to set up real-time acquisition or data processing on more than one computer in the same way, simply copy the .cfg file for the desired setup, and transfer it to the other computer via your network, email, a CD-ROM, or some other media. Then, after you open the software on the second computer, select the .cfg file you want to use (select File / Open Seasave Configuration).

 

Does SEASOFT have a provision for converting to MatLab data files?

MatLab can import flat ASCII files. To produce those files:

  1. Run SBE Data Processing’s Data Conversion module to produce a .cnv file with data in ASCII engineering units from the raw data file. This file also contains header information.

  2. Run SBE Data Processing’s ASCII Out module to remove the header information, leaving just the data portion of the converted (.cnv) data file.

 

Can I use SEASOFT on a Macintosh, Unix, or Linux system?

Sea-Bird software was designed to run on DOS or Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP systems. We chose DOS and Windows because of their widespread availability, and suitability as an acquisition platform. Sea-Bird provides the software free of charge as part of our instrument support. Because of this, we do not have the resources to write and provide support software for other operating systems.

 

Is the Windows version of SEASOFT compatible with Microsoft's Vista operating system?

Extensive testing has not shown any compatibility problems when using the software with the standard (32-bit) version of Vista. We have not received any complaints from customers regarding using the software with this version of Vista.

We have had some reports of software problems when using Sea-Bird software with Vista's 64-bit version.

Note: Help files included with versions of Sea-Bird software released before 2007 are not compatible with Vista. Download the latest software from our ftp site.

 

Is the Windows version of SEASOFT compatible with Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system?

Limited testing has not shown any compatibility problems when using the software with the standard (32-bit) version of Windows 7 -- the software installs and runs correctly. We have not received any complaints from customers regarding using the software with this version of Windows 7, and we do not anticipate any problems.

We have had some reports of software problems when using Sea-Bird software with Windows 7's 64-bit version.

 

Can I use SEASOFT-DOS on a computer with Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP operating system?

Yes. However, you may need to modify some system settings on the computer:

 

Your website Download Software from FTP Site page defines the latest software revision, but I cannot find the latest revision on the FTP site. Is it not posted yet?

You are probably looking at cached information on the FTP site. To get the latest listing on the FTP site, click on the Reload or Refresh button (as applicable to your web browser).

 

Why am I having trouble downloading software from your FTP site?

Check the following:

If you still cannot download the software, Sea-Bird can supply it on a CD-ROM. Fill out the Software Request Form or contact us to request the CD-ROM.

 

What is the flag variable column that is added to the data file by SBE Data Processing's Data Conversion or ASCII In module?

The flag variable column is added by Data Conversion (if you process data using Sea-Bird software) or ASCII In (if you are importing data that was generated using other software). The Loop Edit module sets the flag variable to bad for scans that show a pressure slowdown or reversal. The flag variable is then used by the rest of the SBE Data Processing modules as an indication of a bad scan, allowing you to exclude scans that are marked bad from processing performed in a module, if desired.

Initially all scans are marked good (flag value of 0) in Data Conversion or ASCII In. A flag of -9.99e-29 indicates the scan has been marked bad by Loop Edit.

Note: All occurrences of the bad value (-9.99e-29) can be replaced with a different value in ASCII Out. This may be useful for plotting purposes, as -9.99e-29 looks like 0 in a data plot.

 

How does Sea-Bird software calculate conductivity, temperature, and pressure in engineering units?

For formulas for the calculation of conductivity, temperature, and pressure from the raw data, see the calibration sheets for your instrument (if you cannot find the calibration sheets, contact us with your instrument serial number at seabird@seabird.com or 425-643-9866).

 

How does Sea-Bird software calculate derived variables such as salinity, sound velocity, density, depth, thermosteric anomaly, specific volume, potential temperature, etc.?

The Seasave and SBE Data Processing manuals document the derived variable formulas in an Appendix (Derived Parameter Formulas). The Help files for these programs also document the formulas. To download the software and/or manuals, go to Software Descriptions and Revisions.

 

What formula does Sea-Bird software use to convert pressure data to depth?

The formulas are provided in Application Note 69: Conversion of Pressure to Depth.

 

In Sea-Bird software, is noon on January 1 Julian Day 0.5 or Julian Day 1.5?

In SEASOFT-DOS version 4.249 and higher (March 2001 and later), January 1 is Julian Day 1. Therefore, noon on January 1 is Julian Day 1.5. Earlier versions of the software incorrectly defined January 1 as Julian Day 0, so noon on January 1 would appear as Julian Day 0.5.

All release versions of SBE Data Processing correctly identify January 1 as Julian Day 1.

 

Can I edit my .dat data file to add some explanatory notes to the header?

SEASOFT V2's Seasave creates a .dat file from data acquired from the SBE 11plus V2 Deck Unit  / SBE 9plus CTD. This also applies to earlier versions of the Deck Unit and CTD.

Some text editing programs modify the file in ways that are not visible to the user (such as adding or removing carriage returns and line feeds), but that corrupt the format and prevent further processing by SEASOFT. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you first convert the data to a .cnv file (using SBE Data Processing’s Data Conversion module), and then use other SBE Data Processing modules to edit the .cnv file as desired.

Sea-Bird is not aware of a technique for editing a .dat file that will not corrupt it.
Sea-Bird distributes a utility program, Fixdat, that may repair a corrupted .dat file. Fixdat.exe is installed with, and located in the same directory as, SBE Data Processing.

Note: Seasave V7 creates a .hex file instead of a .dat file from data acquired from the SBE 11plus V2 Deck Unit / SBE 9plus CTD. See the question below for techniques for editing a .hex data file.

 

Can I edit my .hex data file to add some explanatory notes to the header?

Some text editing programs modify the file in ways that are not visible to the user (such as adding or removing carriage returns and line feeds), but that corrupt the format and prevent further processing by SEASOFT. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you first convert the data to a .cnv file (using SBE Data Processing’s Data Conversion module), and then use other SBE Data Processing modules to edit the .cnv file as desired.

However, if you still want to edit the raw data, this procedure provides details on 1 way to edit a .hex data file with a text editor while retaining the required format. This has been found to work correctly on computers running Windows 98/2000/NT. If the editing is not performed using this technique, SEASOFT may reject the data file and give you an error message.

  1. Make a back-up copy of your .hex data file before you begin.
  2. Run WordPad.
  3. In the File menu, select Open. The Open dialog box appears. For Files of type, select All Documents (*.*). Browse to the desired .hex data file and click Open.
  4. Edit the file as desired, inserting any new header lines after the System Upload Time line. Note that all header lines must begin with an asterisk (*), and *END* indicates the end of the header. An example is shown below, with the added lines in bold:

* Sea-Bird SBE 21 Data File:
* FileName = C:\Odis\SAT2-ODIS\oct14-19\oc15_99.hex
* Software Version Seasave Win32 v1.10
* Temperature SN = 2366
* Conductivity SN = 2366
* System UpLoad Time = Oct 15 1999  10:57:19
* Testing adding header lines
* Must start with an asterisk
* Can be placed anywhere between System Upload Time and END of header

* NMEA Latitude = 30 59.70 N
* NMEA Longitude = 081 37.93 W
* NMEA UTC (Time) = Oct 15 1999  10:57:19
* Store Lat/Lon Data = Append to Every Scan and Append to .NAV File When <Ctrl F7> is Pressed
** Ship:       Sea-Bird
** Cruise:     Sea-Bird Header Test
** Station:
** Latitude:
** Longitude:
*END*

  1. In the File menu, select Save (not Save As). If you are running Windows 2000, the following message displays:

You are about to save the document in a Text-Only format, which will remove all formatting. Are you sure you want to do this?

Ignore the message and click Yes.

  1. In the File menu, select Exit.

 

Why am I getting a class not registered error when running SBE Data Processing?

This error message typically means that some of the .dll files needed to run the software are installed incorrectly or have been corrupted. We recommend that you remove the software, and then reinstall the latest version from our ftp site (go to our Download Software page to see the latest version number and to go to the ftp site).

Note: Use the Windows' Add or Remove Programs utility to remove the software; do not just delete the .exe file.

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Last modified: 23 Feb 2011

Sea-Bird Home     Phone: (+1) 425-643-9866     Fax: (+1) 425-643-9954     E-mail: seabird@seabird.com