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 The majority of weather widgets on this site were built with the same code which is now outdated.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 5)
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on Jul 12, 2009

Just curious and it may have already been asked but what about Accuweather.com

on Jul 12, 2009

theAVMAN
Just curious and it may have already been asked but what about Accuweather.com
What about them?  They have their own terms of service requiermetns.

3B in the original post lists some other options.  Lantec has posted http://weather.noaa.gov/weather/metar.shtml too.

In any case every widgit/gadget/objecdt would need to be rewritten to use them.

on Jul 12, 2009


Quoting theAVMAN, reply 11Just curious and it may have already been asked but what about Accuweather.comWhat about them?  They have their own terms of service requiermetns.
3B in the original post lists some other options.  Lantec has posted http://weather.noaa.gov/weather/metar.shtml too.

In any case every widgit/gadget/objecdt would need to be rewritten to use them.

I had just noticed my feed did not stop from there and thought it might be a viable source option!

on Jul 12, 2009

Just curious and it may have already been asked but what about Accuweather.com

I could be wrong but......from your picture,it looks like there's a bug in it.

on Jul 12, 2009

I could be wrong but......from your picture,it looks like there's a bug in it.

Pesky little buger follows me accross my screen everywhere I go!

on Jul 12, 2009

theAVMAN



I had just noticed my feed did not stop from there and thought it might be a viable source option!

Hey AVMAN. Yeah, several people mentioned Accuweather, but Stardock has a deal/license with them and that's why those widgets still work (I believe the one in your SS is an official Stardock widget.) I haven't looked into them myself, but speaking with some other DXers, accuweather doesn't seem to be at the top of the list of alternative weather sources.

on Jul 12, 2009


Quoting theAVMAN, reply 13


I had just noticed my feed did not stop from there and thought it might be a viable source option!

Hey AVMAN. Yeah, several people mentioned Accuweather, but Stardock has a deal/license with them and that's why those widgets still work (I believe the one in your SS is an official Stardock widget.) I haven't looked into them myself, but speaking with some other DXers, accuweather doesn't seem to be at the top of the list of alternative weather sources.

 

(I believe the one in your SS is an official Stardock widget.)

It is.....

I haven't looked into them myself, but speaking with some other DXers, accuweather doesn't seem to be at the top of the list of alternative weather sources.

OK well i just thought i would ask!Carry on!

on Jul 12, 2009

Hi,

I finally got on my other PC to change the script on a couple of weather widgets using neophil78's fix and just noticed the Objectdock weather docklet is still working on weather.com's feed!
 
I didn't register coz I'm in Europe.
 
Very odd...

on Jul 12, 2009

just noticed the Objectdock weather docklet is still working on weather.com's feed!

 

which docklet is that? my ODock weather docklet goes to accuweather

on Jul 12, 2009

Thank you Sviz. I do understand all the arguments for and against the rules and or violations, and also the fact that some will not modify their creations, etc. I respect everyone's opinion but it would be sad to see the end of weather widgets.So if I am at all capable of fixing my widgets (having minimal knowledge of scripts,etc), I will do my best. So I hope people don't give up...because for every problem, there is a solution.

on Jul 12, 2009

Hi,

I finally got on my other PC to change the script on a couple of weather widgets using neophil78's fix and just noticed the Objectdock weather docklet is still working on weather.com's feed!
 
I didn't register coz I'm in Europe.
 
Very odd...

ObjectDock uses an Accuweather feed.  Right clicking on it will give accuweather options and choosing the properties of teh docklet provides links to their site.

on Jul 12, 2009

Hi,

I finally got on my other PC to change the script on a couple of weather widgets using neophil78's fix and just noticed the Objectdock weather docklet is still working on weather.com's feed!

I didn't register coz I'm in Europe.

Very odd...

yep  this works only if you CHEAT...

You'll need put any US location..

on Jul 12, 2009

Well, great sleuthing by everyone, hope it all works out... meanwhile I've managed to come up with an alternative method

1. Open Door

2. Look outside

3. Close door

 

on Jul 12, 2009

Well, great sleuthing by everyone, hope it all works out... meanwhile I've managed to come up with an alternative method
1. Open Door
2. Look outside
3. Close door

Johnny please code this... cos this not work for my widgies

 

on Jul 12, 2009

not work for my widgies

 

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