When the AUV surfaces and connects to the onshore server, it displays some basic information (ie: GPS position and some ocean measurements such as temperature, currents, etc.). The only real problem with using a cron is that I'd like to immediately begin parsing this information and (possibly) retask to the AUV to a new location or modify it's behavior some other way. While 1 minute might be acceptable, I'd really like to know as soon as the vehicle surfaces. I will definitely consider this, however....thanks for the suggestion.