I have seen many use the +input, but then other experts have said the +feed command is much safer, as stated:
http://openenergymonitor.org/emon/node/6194
So as somebody just starting, it would be good to know what the proper time to use each command is.
Thanks for the help.
Re: +input vs +feed differences, newbie help
My own opinion is you should use feeds where ever possible. Only if the feed option is not available or for some reason you do not want to create a "log to feed" for the input in question would there be any reason not to use a feed.
Feeds are purposefully created and deleted (with a warning/confirmation) by the user in a controlled way, where as inputs are automatically created by emoncms and have been known to get deleted, duplicated and recreated without warning or by accident on occasions. Not very frequently, but once is enough to cause havoc when you have +-x/ input processes using the missing input in any of your input chains.
Creating a feed only to make an input available as a feed is questionable practice if space or write frequency is an issue (eg on SD cards) but if you have complex processing chains it is not worth the risk regardless of how small it is.
Paul