Messages

256

Everything Else TWC / Re: General TWC Discussion

« on: February 24, 2011, 09:58:07 PM »

2000-present...

You act as if this is common knowledge.  Maybe other people have different opinions regarding "eras" in the history of The Weather Channel.

He has a point, Zach. Everyone cool down a bit.

257

General Discussion / Re: House Budget Proposal Could Devastate the NWS’s Watch/Warning Forecasts

« on: February 17, 2011, 07:29:40 PM »

Let's take a deep breath here.

(A) PBS and NPR both are being threatened with complete removal of federal funds.  This will have an impact, but a lot of money comes from private donations (majority, I believe).
( Cut programs or raise taxes.

Raising taxes only gets you so far, as the Laffer curve clearly demonstrates. And don't forget that taxes also strain markets.

258

General Discussion / Re: House Budget Proposal Could Devastate the NWS’s Watch/Warning Forecasts

« on: February 17, 2011, 07:26:34 PM »

As someone mentioned earlier, cutting isn't fun. Sometimes, it'll hurt like hell. But we've got to begin cutting now, lest we risk bankruptcy, or worse....and as Tyler said, other outlets and products do serve the general public better. We're all going to have to learn to do more with less. So basically, deal with it.

259

General Discussion / Re: The Pot Belly Stove

« on: January 29, 2011, 06:18:47 PM »

We've got several TVs in our cafeteria at school, and the Student Senate is smart enough to keep them off the extreme-o channels (FOX and MSNBC). They're usually on CNN, ESPN, or local channels.

260

Everything Else TWC / Re: What would you do to improve TWC?

« on: January 24, 2011, 10:27:03 PM »

I don't mind they way they use their graphics now... showing headlines and live cams on the video wall and forecast maps with chromakey.

I like the video wall because it so much bigger and I especially hate when the mets use the Chroma Key stand way to close to the camera, and that isn't really a problem when using the video wall.

The video wall may be big, but you can't match graphics resolution on it. A chroma wall will let you use the highest resolution available, and superimpose the meteorologist over it, vs. having them stand in front of a TV(basically). Much crisper on a chroma key. Standing too close to the camera, maybe so, but they can always move back towards the screen a bit. I personally felt they were too far away from the camera when using the video wall. That, combined with them showing the black bezel around it, further reducing the size of the map, made me detest the wall.

261

General Discussion / Re: Follow The Rules

« on: January 08, 2011, 10:15:27 PM »

I've said it before and I'll say it again. This whole "rights" and "discrimination" stuff has gotten way out of hand. Contrary to what anyone will tell you, you do not have a right to...

A house
A car
A marriage license
All the benefits of being an American, without legally being one, just b/c you "work hard" and/or are "trying to raise a family"
A healthcare plan that covers everything
A job
A "decent" wage
To be part of any group you want
To have rules, laws, etc not apply to you b/c you think they're "unfair"
To never be offended by anyone or anything


And anything else not mentioned in the Constitution or Bill of Rights.

      

262

Everything Else TWC / Re: What would you do to improve TWC?

« on: January 08, 2011, 10:09:42 PM »

Fair point about "don't watch if you don't like it"...however, there is something to be said about what one would like to see done if changes were to be made:
-Stop trying to do everything. In all honesty, NBC owns dozens of channels-from local new affiliates to national news channels (complete with business, politics, and whatnot) to entertainment channels. The Weather Channel should be just that...NBC's Weather Channel. People will turn to it for what it's named for....weather. They go to CNBC for business news, MSNBC for crackpots (political analysts), and NBC for the news, not to mention their local news channels.
-Stop dumbing down the weather. True, you will alienate many viewers if you go too in-depth, but please do not dumb the forecast down so badly that it's almost useless.
-Stop the hype. Every little storm system is not a national emergency. In my opinion, the more often you hype something up (and, more often than not, it disappoints), the less credible you are in the public's eye.
-Bring a unified look to everything. Pull your graphics department together and come up with one good-looking theme that you apply to every facet of the operation. 2 different types of LDLs on the Intellistar just looks weird, and the HD national feed looks entirely different. Tie the lower 3rds, map bars, segment intros ,etc. together into a theme.
-Bring a unified sound to everything. Production music is nice, but bring back a "signature" of sorts. It doesn't have to be the 4 note chime, but use something to tie things together and form a calling sign that people can relate to you whenever they hear it. These last two are something that's known in marketing as "brand identification"

Just my $0.02

263

Everything Else TWC / Re: General TWC Discussion

« on: December 28, 2010, 07:44:30 PM »

I could have sworn I heard the opener music used for Your Weather Today from 2008 to 2010 during a commercial today...but I don't see how, as I don't think it was production music, was it?

264

Everything Else TWC / Re: General TWC Discussion

« on: December 16, 2010, 08:04:33 PM »

Don't know if this has been posted here before, but I found this earlier:
http://blog.svconline.com/briefingroom/2008/06/05/electrosonic-crafts-unique-rear-projection-solution-for-the-weather-channels-new-hd-set/
Interesting explanation of how the video screen works.

265

The Game Room / Re: Which would you prefer?

« on: November 11, 2010, 03:26:32 PM »

HD!

CNN or MSNBC?

God, no question, CNN!

13 or 15 inch laptop?

266

Everything Else TWC / Re: General TWC Discussion

« on: October 21, 2010, 07:13:56 PM »

Just heard the music used for the Weather Center intro used on a Fox News ad. I'd like to find that theme, it's a good one... 

267

General Discussion / Re: The Pot Belly Stove

« on: October 15, 2010, 12:17:08 PM »

Not sure how long its been like this, but I notice the TWC Today logo on the website home page now has a reflection and is shiny. Nice job Jesse!-I'm assuming you made/modified it   

268

Everything Else TWC / Re: Weather Porn

« on: September 24, 2010, 08:02:24 PM »

If you don't laugh at some point during these videos, something is wrong with you. This is TWC at its funniest.

...or it just isn't your kind of humor. I'm into silly/dopey/absurd humor myself. Awkward/nice guy humor rarely makes me laugh. And maybe it's just me, but some of those borderline gay references were a little creepy.

It was a bit funny but nothing like the atmosphere back in the classic days. Its a shame

I agree with Martin. "Back in the day" they were extremely serious and professional. Since the mid 2000's ('03 on) they've taken more of a lighthearted (but still professional) tone, but that lost some of the professional tone starting around '07 or '08. Again, it's a shame.

269

Everything Else TWC / Re: General TWC Discussion

« on: September 21, 2010, 06:32:03 PM »

If im not mistaken, VH 35 #43 is the music for the Tropical Update intro?

Yes!!!! I've been looking for that track for forever!     

270

Everything Else TWC / Re: General TWC Discussion

« on: September 20, 2010, 09:43:42 PM »

Are these production tracks available for use? I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with this list and what is currently being discussed. Like what does VH 33.0 mean?

It's the CD number, VideoHelper has put out numerous production music CDs....the 33 means it is disc #33, etc..