So is Processing taken out of the loop in the "pipeline" you suggested? I have never programmed in PHP and I have limited experience in Java.
1st pipeline - sensors --> Arduino --> ethernetShield --> PHPform --> MySQL DB--> presentation --> user
How is the presentation portion of the pipeline created? Does the PHPform create the HTML page that the user would use as an interface?
I looked at pachtube (I think it's called Cosm now?). I am confused exactly what this service could provide. You feed this a data stream and it will act as a data storage/retrieval server? Or is the interface created in Cosm? I would like the capability for full customization in the user interface which is why I have been leaning towards using Processing for the GUI. The aspect I struggle with is how to push this interface to the web and allow for remote viewing/control. I was also thinking of uploading the Firmata program to Arduino and using Processing to interface with Arduino directly. Is it possible for the pipeline to work like this?:
sensors --> Arduino --> ethernetShield --> Processing <--> MySQL DB (stored on laptop connected to arduino)
|--> Apache Web Server --> Java Web App
Would you have to purchase your own domain to accomplish this? Sorry if this idea is convoluted and impossible. Thank you for the advice. Much appreciated.