Messages

31

Everything Else TWC / Re: New 60 Second Local Forecast videos on weather.com

« on: August 19, 2015, 01:58:08 PM »

I guess they don't make one for Omaha (which seems odd). I can't find it.

Yeah, I can't seem to find it on the local forecast page anymore.  And unfortunately the list they provide of all cities is in no order whatsoever (seriously, they couldn't even do alphabetical order? ), so it may take a while to find.  Fortunately, Dallas was on the first page.

Some observations:
It's definitely pretty good for a web-based version, although not as smooth as what's on air in my opinion.  The radar has too much noise, and I think the summary page stays on too long (at least there is a summary page, though).  This actually looks a lot like what the IS2 was supposed to be after the upgrade, based on emulations. I also think it's interesting how they programmed it to whenever there's a Weather Bulletin they will always play the "Storm Alert" music.  Jim also had a new CC narration that I had never heard before: "Here's a look at conditions in our area..."

32

Programming and Graphics / Re: TWC Updates Graphics

« on: August 03, 2015, 02:24:53 PM »

This was done maybe a week or so ago, but also notice how the ticker extends to the far right side of the screen now, effectively removing any option for the return of the rundown of climate data, airport delays, etc.  That blank space really bothers me though.  Is that filled with something on an IS2 feed?

33

General Discussion / Re: Windows 10

« on: August 03, 2015, 12:06:12 AM »

I upgraded from Windows 8 to Windows 10 on Wednesday and seem to be (based on articles, reviews, etc.) one of the few people who doesn't like it.  My computer actually seems slower since the upgrade.  Apps and programs load very slowly for me.  This really doesn't feel like much of an upgrade either, as if it's more Windows 8.2 than a whole new operating system.

I'm obliged to ask, did you do a clean install? Since this helped when I upgraded to 8.1 as opposed to 8 as I had the same issue.

No, I did not do a clean install - I simply did the OS upgrade.

34

General Discussion / Re: Windows 10

« on: August 01, 2015, 12:37:35 PM »

I upgraded from Windows 8 to Windows 10 on Wednesday and seem to be (based on articles, reviews, etc.) one of the few people who doesn't like it.  My computer actually seems slower since the upgrade.  Apps and programs load very slowly for me.  This really doesn't feel like much of an upgrade either, as if it's more Windows 8.2 than a whole new operating system.

And the supposedly fast Microsoft Edge?  So far it takes longer to load a webpage than Internet Explorer!  Definitely not impressed so far and hoping some bugs can be worked out in the future.

35

Programming and Graphics / Re: New Live Show hosted by Mike Bettes

« on: July 29, 2015, 12:39:32 PM »

Looks like they are taking the whole Weather"Underground" too far.

Yeah, it really does look like they're actually in a basement.  I presume that was probably intentional, but I still don't like it.

Is this still Studio 1C?  I can't make out the finished version from the "in progress" version that was posted earlier this month: http://360.io/ma4gze.

36

Programming and Graphics / Re: New Live Show hosted by Mike Bettes

« on: July 26, 2015, 02:31:37 PM »

well, we now have a name and date of premiere of the show.

the show will be known as Weather Underground TV, a TV show in which the weather site that TWC bought out 3 years ago will be on at 6-8 ET and this show will debut on Aug 24.

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=3051&cm_ven=FB_PROMO_AS_072215_1

How unoriginal.

Wow is that set ugly

I agree.  Yikes.  Not sure what look they were aiming for, but the walls look terrible, design and everything, especially with the poles hiding wires clearly visible.  Also not sure what the pinball machine is for.

37

Everything Else TWC / Re: Is TWC dying?

« on: July 26, 2015, 02:27:17 PM »

According to zap2it, The Weather Channel is the cable network which is in the most homes in the United States, as of February 2015 (see link below).  I don't think it's going anywhere anytime soon.

http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/02/22/list-of-how-many-homes-each-cable-network-is-in-as-of-february-2015/366230/

38

Everything Else TWC / Re: General TWC Discussion

« on: July 13, 2015, 06:42:23 PM »

This has been talked about briefly in other threads, but the right side bar on HD is becoming more and more useless.  Instead of the show rundown at the top, it's either just a bullet list of the top stories, or in most cases, a simple graphic saying "Tornado Threat" or "Severe Storm Threat" or something like that.  (I guess having that in three different places really makes a difference.)  Then there's that awkward empty space where they took away the rundown for local or national information.  And if you have the National Feed, like I do, really all you're getting is airport delays, top severe reports, the holiday countdown, and weekend getaway information.  Who cares?  I don't understand why TWC has removed most of the information on that sidebar.

39

Local Forecast / Re: General LF Discussion

« on: July 11, 2015, 10:51:29 PM »

So I have an interesting conundrum.

IStar 26820 is gone.  The SD channel is now letterboxed widescreen with the L-bar (literally useless information) and the Locals with Jim C.'s voice.  Great!

The HD channel still has no local.  What gives (and please don't say IStar 2 Jr or whatever that is)?

This was talked about a few pages back, but your headend probably has an IntelliStar 2 XD hooked up. It's a newer-model IS2 that is capable of sending out both an HD and SD signal and aesthetically has subtle differences from the original IS2.

So....is it a flaw or a feature it's not doing locals in HD?  Maybe I need to post one floor down (if the STAR Team still floats around here).

Apologies in advance for asking questions...been a while since I've been around.

(So much wasted space on the widescreen Locals.)

This is a very odd situation if SD is letterboxed and has a local but HD does not.  Because if the SD feed is letterboxed, isn't that just the HD feed, just letterboxed to fit SD?  So why the heck would one have a local and one wouldn't?

You can try to make a new topic regarding this in Tech Support.  The STAR Team hasn't posted in a few months, but they may peek at the thread every once in awhile.  (Unless this is a simple cable concept I'm completely missing?)

40

General Discussion / Re: The Front Porch

« on: June 19, 2015, 02:12:15 PM »

So guess who's about to go through her first ever (if it gets named soon) tropical storm? 

I'M SO NERVOUS.

So how'd it go?!

41

Hurricane Central / Re: Tropical Storm Bill

« on: June 16, 2015, 01:10:42 PM »

Tropical Storm Bill Makes Landfall


000
WTNT62 KNHC 161655
TCUAT2

TROPICAL STORM BILL TROPICAL CYCLONE UPDATE
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL       AL022015
1155 AM CDT TUE JUN 16 2015

...BILL MAKES LANDFALL ON MATAGORDA ISLAND...

The center of Tropical Storm Bill made landfall on Matagorda
Island, Texas at 1145 AM CDT...1645 UTC.

During the past hour, a gust to 53 mph (85 km/h) was reported at
both Palacios, Texas and Port O'Connor, Texas. At 1130 AM CDT, the
water level at Port Lavaca, Texas, was about 3 feet above normal.

SUMMARY OF 1145 CDT...1645 UTC...INFORMATION
--------------------------------------------
LOCATION...28.2N 96.7W
ABOUT 25 MI...40 KM SW OF PORT OCONNOR TEXAS
ABOUT 35 MI...55 KM ENE OF ROCKPORT TEXAS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...60 MPH...95 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 285 DEGREES AT 9 MPH...15 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...997 MB...29.44 INCHES

$$
Forecaster Stewart

42

Local Forecast / Re: General LF Discussion

« on: June 06, 2015, 01:04:22 AM »

TWC has found the perfect way to fill that empty blank space to the right on the HD locals...with an ad.

43

Your Local Weather / Re: Oklahoma City weather

« on: June 01, 2015, 01:56:24 PM »

All-Time Wettest Month on Record for Oklahoma City!

44

Your Local Weather / Re: Dallas-Fort Worth weather

« on: June 01, 2015, 01:53:54 PM »

Wettest May on Record for Dallas/Fort Worth

45

General Discussion / Re: The Front Porch

« on: May 29, 2015, 12:53:40 PM »

I wish you the best of luck. At least the job market is improving, so I hope you will land something soon. I know Weatherworks in NJ had a few meteorologist/staff researcher opportunities.

Meteorology sounds like such an exciting career, though people might get mad if you get the forecasts wrong.  Even so, I'm sure it will be a blast.  Good luck, Andy! 

Thanks guys.   Yeah, it's not an easy career path but certainly an exciting one.