Messages

1036

Local Forecast / Re: Has the L-bar been discontinued?

« on: July 31, 2011, 06:11:15 PM »

The direction TWC is going is to only have LOT8s, and the :30 update as the only source of weather, but to have all longform. The fact that the L-bar is appearing less is a sign of that.

Sadly, I think you're right.  I truly do.  And then... even the L-bar and :30 updates will disappear.

1037

Local Forecast / Re: Has the L-bar been discontinued?

« on: July 31, 2011, 03:09:04 PM »

I think the L-bar is certainly better than nothing.  It's most of a local forecast, but still satisfies the programming gurus by allowing the longform programming to continue.  However, maybe someone thinks it's "too distracting" for the viewer who's looking for entertainment rather than weather forecasts (TWC's new direction, obviously), so that's why they might start phasing out the L-bar and using the LDL only during the 8's, and... no weather information at all at other times. 

Not even the lower-third, which has even more information, but just the basic LDL.

And if you don't have an Intellistar... just forget anything local altogether!

1038

Everything Else TWC / Re: Transparent TWC Logo

« on: July 31, 2011, 03:06:32 PM »

the Transparent Logo is now being used on ICHT and Cantore Stories.

i'll post an update if anymore shows are using it.

This is a big mistake, in my opinion.  Not only is TWC taking away actual weather programming for longform, but they're also taking away the LDL - the one remaining source of weather information - and replacing it with... NOTHING!  Just another step towards becoming a full-fledged weather-oriented entertainment network.

1039

General Discussion / Re: The Debt Ceiling Deadline

« on: July 31, 2011, 12:23:31 PM »

The US Mint should just print more money out to compensate this but then the dollars value will continue to decrease.

There have been many, many examples throughout history to show that this is a terrible idea.  Besides, it doesn't matter how much cash there is in the money supply in this situation.  The government will shortly be reaching the maximum amount it is allowed to spend in debt, and unless something is done about it, the government simply won't be allowed to spend any more money.  It's just like maxing out your credit card.  You either have to renegotiate to get a higher limit, or you have to start paying off the debt before you can spend again.

1040

General Discussion / Re: The Debt Ceiling Deadline

« on: July 31, 2011, 10:37:56 AM »

Well, aren't airline ticket prices suppose to be cheaper now since the FAA has been shut down? It's the FAA that mandates all those pesky fees and taxes onto our tickets.

No because the airlines would jack the prices up to compensate

And most have, but the price increase is even larger than what the taxes would have been.  Of course.

1041

General Discussion / Re: The Debt Ceiling Deadline

« on: July 30, 2011, 11:58:39 PM »

I think they're going to try and cut the unnecessary stuff first - at least, that's what I hope - and hold on to the stuff we really need. This includes spending with defense, and systems used to keep the public safe - this includes the National Weather Service and the Food and Drug Administration.

Unfortunately, I don't think, in today's political climate, the government considers NOAA to be of prime importance.  In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if they put the FDA on the back burner, too.  Just look at how long the FAA has been partially shutdown!

1042

General Discussion / Re: The Debt Ceiling Deadline

« on: July 30, 2011, 11:57:29 PM »

I'm on a $5000 Pell Grant, I can't afford my college tuition without that. I'm concerned if they do indeed suspend the Pell grants, then students will start dropping out of college

Unfortunately, that's a very realistic possibility.  With the country in default, paying for students to go to college will be the least of the government's worries.  Sadly, that will mean that some students simply won't be able to continue with their studies until this is over.

1043

General Discussion / Re: The Debt Ceiling Deadline

« on: July 30, 2011, 11:38:04 PM »

I'm quite confused about this default stuff, does it mean our unemployment rate will go up even more? A scary fact is Apple has more cash than the US govt now..perhaps the govt should start selling ipads now But in all seriousness, something has to be done. I'm concerned this default may cause further cuts in education such as Federal student aid and pell grants. These are the lifelines in affording a college education, IMO, as I am dependent on federal financial aid for college

It could most certainly send the unemployment rate up, and that's the last thing the country needs right now.  As for Pell grants and federal financial aid, it's a very strong likelihood that they would be suspended until the government is able to pay its bills again.

1044

Hurricane Central / Re: Hurricane Central 2011

« on: July 30, 2011, 11:03:14 PM »

If this storm's track holds true we may get some impact from this.

Right now, the track is supposed to bring future-Emily just to the east of Florida.  Just like Bret, it will be far enough away so that we escape any actual impact, but it will be dragging drier air in around it.  Bret came just after I arrived in Florida, and, as a result, we really haven't had all that many of the thunderstorms that are supposed to be typical of Florida in the summer.  And, as a result, it has just been muggy as all get out, and the sun is just... brutal!

1045

General Discussion / Re: The Debt Ceiling Deadline

« on: July 30, 2011, 10:52:07 PM »

Is this really the best place to start discussing national politics, especially when the issue is so charged?  I can see a war starting here pretty easily... 

1046

Hurricane Central / Re: Hurricane Central 2011

« on: July 30, 2011, 09:59:37 PM »

Even though, as of the most recent report, the tropical wave that could become Emily had a 90% chance of developing into at least a depression, I'm starting to think that we'll have to wait a little longer than expected to see any real development.  I just looked at the latest satellite imagery, and the wave has lost a lot of convection over the past couple of hours.  We'll have to wait until tomorrow when the Sun comes back to see if this trend reverses itself.  Granted, since these expectations are given for two days out, it could still keep its 90% chance, but I think it's lost itself some time tonight.

1047

Local Forecast / Re: IntelliStar Changes

« on: July 30, 2011, 02:23:28 PM »

Also, the 8-city list is not left over from the screen used on the first WeatherStar. It was 7 cities on those STARs from that one through the 4000 and 8 cities, beginning with the XL.

The number of cities may vary by one, but the idea is the same.  Back in the days before the Star was capable of generating maps, a text-based list of cities was the only way to show weather conditions in the region.  The 7-city text-only list still exists on 4000s, and it was upgraded to an 8-city graphical-based 2-screen list with the XL.  But why settle for what is still a list when a map shows essentially the same (except for winds) in a better-looking format?

1048

Hurricane Central / Re: Hurricane Central 2011

« on: July 30, 2011, 01:32:34 PM »

That's generally what the models are saying, especially given the big high pressure in the Atlantic that's going to steer the storm as you indicated.

1049

Hurricane Central / Re: Tropical Storm Don

« on: July 30, 2011, 12:41:36 PM »

The National Hurricane Center, I found out this morning, has an amusing sense of humor.

Yeah, some of the forecasters do like to add their own personal touches to their reports.  It makes for interesting reading. 

1050

Hurricane Central / Re: Hurricane Central 2011

« on: July 29, 2011, 10:15:56 PM »

Only 0%

Am I the only one who finds it impossible to read yellow text in here?

Sorry about that, I didn't think it would be that bright. It says Only 0%.

Well, you never know until you try.