Scripts, tutorials, and general Desktop X help
Published on July 8, 2009 By sViz In DesktopX

The purpose of this thread is to compile and post fixes for the recent weather widget problem for anyone who has the patience to implement them. I'll try to edit this post to keep it up-to-date.

 Edit 7/10: Important information for DX authors.

 Edit 7/12: Added clarification to 2a for DX users - ZubaZ

 Edit 7/13 : Removed fixes due to legal ambiguity

 

Contents

1. The Problem

2. The Fixes

e. Disable the Weather

3. For Authors

a. Using The Weather Channel Feeds

b. Using Another Source

c. Weather & DX Themes

 

1. The Problem

If your weather widget has suddenly stopped working properly, it is likely because the source, Weather.com, has changed their site to prohibit unlicensed usage. The majority of weather widgets on this site were built with the same code which is now outdated.

Symptoms of this particular problem are:

-You get a message saying the location is invalid
-When you try to clear this message it keeps popping up

 

2. The Fixes (as far as we know)

 

*** UPDATE 7/13/09 ***

I have tried to find more information and understand the legalities of the TWC XOAP data feed services and due to ambiguity I have removed these fixes so as not to put anyone else at risk of violating known or unknown weather.com license agreements.

A very good read on the situation with weather.com and their feeds can be found here: http://www.rainmeter.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=615

At the present time the only remaining option for end-users is to disable and/or discontinue using the weather widgets.

 

 


E.  DISABLE THE WEATHER:

If you are using a combo widget or theme and would just like to disable the weather parts read below.

There are a few objects that need to be "turned off". To do this you will open the widget/theme in DX Builder (be sure to turn off internet connection first,) find the object, right-click and uncheck Script Enabled.

These objects may be several of the following. (You can ctrl + click to select more than one object in the object list, then r-click and uncheck Script Enabled.)


Version 1:

"weather_image"
"weather_temp"
"weather_location"


Version 2:

"kdockweatherimage" (and/or "kdockweatherimage2")
"Kdockweatherlocation" (and/or "kdockweatherlocation2")
"kdockweathertemp" (and/or "kdockweathertemp2")
"kdockforecastimage1" (through "kdockforecastimage5")


Version 3:

"Weather_Output"
"Weather_Script"
"WeatherFunction_ToggleUnits"
"CUI_SCripts"
"WeatherFunction_SetLocation"

 

 

 3. For Authors

A Notice From the WC Staff:

Starting Monday, July 20th, we will start exiling weather widgets from the WinCustomize galleries that have not been updated and/or violate any ToS/ToU in regards to weather feeds.

See here for more details.

 

Q: Can't I fix and reupload my widgets?

It's fairly certain that our widgets are not in compliance with The Weather Channel's license agreements. Among other things, a widget using TWC's feed now needs to include their logo and 5 advertisement links (to see the full details get registered and download the SDK file included in your confirmation email.)

This is aside from the fact that most of these fixes hard code YOUR license ID and KEY, and you CAN NOT allow others to use these; uploading a fixed widget with your ID and KEY is in violation of the license agreement.

The short answer is no. We can't use these fixes and then reupload our widgets.


Q: What CAN I do?

Right now you need to archive your skins before they are deleted from the galleries.


Q: So that's it? No more weather widgets?

Not necessarily. We have two options:  A. Re-build our widgets in compliance with TWC's license agreement or  B. find another data source.

 

 

A. USING THE WEATHER CHANNEL FEEDS

If you are looking to rebuild your widget in compliance with TWC's agreement you'll need to do the following:

- Register, download and thoroughly read the SDK file included in your confirmation email
- Comply
- Add a function to allow the user to input their license key and partner ID.
- Add a link to the registration page so users know where to get the key and ID.
- Be mindful of the fact that TWC could change their site again and consider putting contingencies in place to prevent further headaches. (i.e., Use and external script that can be copied onto the user's computer, and have as little code in the actual objects.)

 To be clear, anyone looking to make a weather widget using weather.com services MUST be in compliance with their terms of service and license agreements.

 

B. USING ANOTHER SOURCE suggestions by Zubaz

If you decide to part ways with TWC, here are some alternative weather feed sources to consider (You will need to abide by their Terms of Service as well):

-  Wunderground.com  -- LINK

- Yahoo! -- LINK 

- rssweather.com -- LINK

 

Again, I strongly advise using an external script to save yourself (and by extension your end-users) from any headaches in future.

 

C. WEATHER & DX THEMES

If you are a DesktopX theme author, the best advice for now is to exclude the weather widget from your theme and consider uploading weather as a separate widget in future.

 

 

 

 

 

That's all for now...

Leave questions, comments, and your experience reports below.


Comments (Page 14)
14 PagesFirst 12 13 14 
on Aug 21, 2009

RedneckDude
I have written these people. I got their name from a weather sidebar gadget. I wait for their reply.  

http://www.wdtinc.com/

And more beautiful work by you, Jim. I hope something works out that doesn't require registration and logos. The DX weather widget world is pretty lonely right now.

on Aug 22, 2009

RedneckDude
I have written these people. I got their name from a weather sidebar gadget. I wait for their reply.

http://www.wdtinc.com/


I got a reply from this guy, we spoke on the phone for a few minutes. He said he'd email me some stuff, nothing yet.

 

Update: 

This is our most recent message.

Hey Jim.

 

Sorry for the delay….feeds guys is swamped with several deadlines.  Haven’t forgotten about you….will get it to you ASAP.

 

Thanks for the patience.

 

JT

on Aug 22, 2009

Eve, when I get this, can you help me with it? 

on Aug 22, 2009

Sure. If they deliver the raw data in XML feed format, it should be the same basic procedure as with the other sources. Just have to know their requirements, etc.

on Aug 31, 2009

Don't hate me but I have to point out that none of the existing widgets comply the Weather.com's XOAP terms of use regarding advertising links and logo display.  I'm not a lawyer and I don't want to be, just don't want Weather.com coming after WC/Stardock with a hammer.

 

**** spam removed ****

on Aug 31, 2009

Don't hate me but I have to point out that none of the existing widgets comply the Weather.com's XOAP terms of use regarding advertising links and logo display.

and I have to point out that spam links in the forum are also in violation of a TOS agreement.

 Btw,TWC's terms have been studied and current widgets do comply with it.

on Aug 31, 2009

SamsonReal5
Don't hate me but I have to point out that none of the existing widgets comply the Weather.com's XOAP terms of use regarding advertising links and logo display.  I'm not a lawyer and I don't want to be, just don't want Weather.com coming after WC/Stardock with a hammer.

 

**** spam removed ****

I must say that sViz and I have several weather widgets in the gallery that completely conform to TWC's outlines in the SDK that TWC sent us. I don't know where you're getting your info.  

on Aug 31, 2009

Guys that was (rudely) copied out of a post I made to this thread way back in July (reply #12) when everything was still up in the air.  I'd guess it's some automated spammer or something.  Anyway it's dead meat now, and looking at SamsonReal5's profile I see that he/she/it is as well.

Anyway no worries, just internet garbage.

on Sep 27, 2009

...........ANSWER TO "This doesn´t appear a valid zip code"-..................... By Howserneitor Posted September 27, 2009 15:02:40 I think I got an answer, you need to Disabled the MessageBox editing the script 1.-Sorry about my english. 2.-Switch DesktopX Client to DesktopX Builder, right click on Desktop Icon on bottom pf the screen to switch it. 3.-When the DesktopX Builder is already loaded, right click on upper-left corner of the Weather Widget (where a Sun or Cloudy Image appears) and select "EditScrip" option. 4.-The DesktopX Script Editor will be pop up with the 'code' of the weather widget, then search the code line with the sentence: Widget.Preference("location").defaultvalue = "MXSP0079" (usually at line 11) We need to change the default location ID. 5.-To get our location ID, go to this page http://www.weather.com/ and search your city on search browser, this is only to ensure that our city is included on data base. (In my case San Luis Potosi,Mexico) 6.-Once we have our "exactly location name" we go to this page http://xoap.weather.com/search/search?where=San Luis Potosi,Mexico and replace San Luis Potosi,Mexico with your "exactly location name", if your city is included on data base it will show you a id-locations list of your city and near cities to, with this template: San Luis Potosi, Mexico (My city San Luis Potosi , location id = "MXSP0079") 7.-When you have your location id (with the quotation marks "") replace in this code line, after = symbol. Widget.Preference("location").defaultvalue = "MXSP0079" (usually at line 11) 8.-The instructions above are for setup our location name, now we have to disable the Message Box with the alarm "This doesn´t appear a valid zip code" 9.-After relocated you id, on the same scritp file, search for any Msgbox instruction (I found it at line 48) and comment it 10.-When we comment a code line, the main code doens´t included. 11.-To comment a line in the Script, type an apostrophe ( ' ) before the linelike this 'Msgbox "This doesn't appear to be a valid zip code." & vbNewLine & vbNewLine & "Please try again.", vbExclamation + vbOKOnly, "Zip error ' 12.-I only find this Msgbox in my script, maybe you have a few of them, remember only disabled the MsgBox with the message: "This doesn't appear to be a valid zip code." & vbNewLine & vbNewLine & "Please try again." 13.-I hope this will help you, My computer have 5 hours without the message 14.-Sorry about the writting, if you have any question this is my email "howserlx@hotmail.com"

on Sep 27, 2009

...........ANSWER TO "This doesn´t appear a valid zip code"-.....................

By Posted September 27, 2009 15:02:40

I think I got an answer, you need to Disabled the MessageBox editing the script

 

1.-Sorry about my english.

2.-Switch DesktopX Client to DesktopX Builder, right click on Desktop Icon on bottom pf the screen to switch it.

3.-When the DesktopX Builder is already loaded, right click on upper-left corner of the Weather Widget (where a Sun or Cloudy Image appears) and select "EditScrip" option.

4.-The DesktopX Script Editor will be pop up with the 'code' of the weather widget, then search the code line with the sentence:

   Widget.Preference("location").defaultvalue = "MXSP0079" (usually at line 11) 

   We need to change the default location ID.

5.-To get our location ID, go to this page  http://www.weather.com/ and search your city on search browser, this is only to ensure that our city is included on data base. (In my case San Luis Potosi,Mexico)

6.-Once we have our "exactly location name" we go to this page

    http://xoap.weather.com/search/search?where=San Luis Potosi,Mexico

    and replace San Luis Potosi,Mexico with your "exactly location name", if your city is included on data base it will show you a id-locations list

    of your city and near cities to, with this template:

    <loc id="MXSP0079" type="1">San Luis Potosi, Mexico</loc> (My city San Luis Potosi , location id = "MXSP0079")

7.-When you have your location id (with the quotation marks "") replace in this code line, after = symbol.

    Widget.Preference("location").defaultvalue = "MXSP0079" (usually at line 11) 

 

8.-The instructions above are for setup our location name, now we have to disable the Message Box with the alarm

    "This doesn´t appear a valid zip code"

9.-After relocated you id, on the same scritp file, search for any Msgbox instruction (I found it at line 48) and comment it

10.-When we comment a code line, the main code doens´t included.

11.-To comment a line in the Script, type an apostrophe (  '  ) before the linelike this

      'Msgbox "This doesn't appear to be a valid zip code." & vbNewLine & vbNewLine & "Please try again.", vbExclamation + vbOKOnly, "Zip error
                '

12.-I only find this Msgbox in my script, maybe you have a few of them, remember only disabled the MsgBox with the message:

     "This doesn't appear to be a valid zip code." & vbNewLine & vbNewLine & "Please try again."

13.-I hope this will help you, My computer have 5 hours without the message

14.-Sorry about the writting, if you have any question this is my email "howserlx@hotmail.com"

on Sep 27, 2009

As I stated in the other thread, IMO, the above action amounts to nothing more than cracking an app.   Tsk-Tsk.

on Sep 28, 2009

Got tired of reading all this ...but i think i found a solution in all this...

 

 

First off ..if all this happened back in July ...WHY do none of the DX themes i download work...IN Sept??  I could care less about the weather thingys..I use DX to rid myself of Explorer!!...lol so reading i find that i can disable these weather thingys and Finally get to use a DX for a real reason...lol.. I am returning to Object Desk and DX cause i figured that it had to be vista ready finally.....This is my 3rd year using OD and i had to stop using it cause it didnt work when i changed to Vista. A year after vista was out and still not working in vista...so i shelved and let subscription lapse..  Till this last weekend..renewed and grabed some Theme packs...BUT none of them load....Click a million times and no go..  wants a Zipcode!!!!Thanks to those that have gone before me .....Now im off to Load builder and kill the Weather so i can have my desktop...LMAO....

on Sep 28, 2009

camaro_69_327
Got tired of reading all this ...but i think i found a solution in all this...

 

 

First off ..if all this happened back in July ...WHY do none of the DX themes i download work...IN Sept??  I could care less about the weather thingys..I use DX to rid myself of Explorer!!...lol so reading i find that i can disable these weather thingys and Finally get to use a DX for a real reason...lol.. I am returning to Object Desk and DX cause i figured that it had to be vista ready finally.....This is my 3rd year using OD and i had to stop using it cause it didnt work when i changed to Vista. A year after vista was out and still not working in vista...so i shelved and let subscription lapse..  Till this last weekend..renewed and grabed some Theme packs...BUT none of them load....Click a million times and no go..  wants a Zipcode!!!!Thanks to those that have gone before me .....Now im off to Load builder and kill the Weather so i can have my desktop...LMAO....

 

If you'll check the gallery, you'll see that there are a few Weather widgets out there that do work. Here is a good starting point:

http://redneckdude.wincustomize.com/skins.aspx?libid=34

on Sep 28, 2009

RedneckDude
Quoting camaro_69_327, reply 207Got tired of reading all this ...but i think i found a solution in all this...

 

 

 

If you'll check the gallery, you'll see that there are a few Weather widgets out there that do work. Here is a good starting point:

http://redneckdude.wincustomize.com/skins.aspx?libid=34

 

Thanks... I just found it funny the only thing i dident need from a DX was the weather...i really miss my Dx theme..."Colony" by  Mike Bryant.   Was main reason to come back and try again ...finally tired of Vistas look..Problem is all the WB skins i try take 30 % on explorer and thats on a Duel core ...lol...something for a thread of its own i think...lol

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