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BBC Launches Linux Powered Weather Format
nzkaha writes "BBC launches new weather format using Weatherscape XT. This may be one of the higher profile deployments of Linux based systems. Weatherscape XT supplies weather graphics for all UK BBC channels plus the BBC World Service. The system relies completely on openGL graphics and there are demonstration clips of the system in use at Metra.info . Developed in NZ by MetService as a cross platform system for Linux, OS X and Windows, the BBC solution has been deployed on Linux with MySQL DB. Data is replicated to remote studios and displayed live by the Weatherscape application using Nvidia Graphics and drivers. Future deployment options will depend on customer choice and platform support."
a linux system also renders the red+black graphical intro to bbc news. there are many linux systems in use at the beeb. why so surprised ?
$ strings FTP.EXE | grep Copyright
@(#) Copyright (c) 1983 The Regents of the University of California.
Why use web based Weather feeds when you can pick the data off the satellite's directly???
. html
Connect a 137-138MHz FM communications receiver or scanner to your soundcard and get colour images directly from overhead weather satellites. You can either build your own like I did or just buy a receiver.
For an explanation try:
http://www.emgola.cz/www_fa/meteosat_englisch_how
and for a great tool: http://www.wxtoimg.com/
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the beeb's new weather graphics have been controversial. a lot of people don't like the dark muddy colours. plus Scotland was really pissed because the way the map was angled meant you could hardly see it. this has now been changed, but the new map still doesn't show wind direcion or isobars.
from the few times I've seen it I haven't been impressed. it looks like a nice virtual atlas, but I never seem to come away with any actual info from it.
never mind, nowadays I get my weather from the OSX Dashboard widget.
... not MetaService.
You know, met as in meteorological, as in that wet stuff we tend to call weather in New Zealand.
There were a lot of complaints when they started using it on TV in New Zealand too, but now everybody's pretty much used to it. Really it was just an attempt to make the "boring weather bit" on the nightly news into something a bit more interesting from a visual point of view.
When Google Weather (beta) finally goes live, they will present it it four dimensions. For a lot of folks, the internet is actually a vast improvement over cable "local on the 8's" and the 3D stuff will die its own death if it does not actually add info. I agree that the floating clouds are not instructive. Pointless must be a Kiwi euphonism for useless...
Agreed on all fronts (ha!), but I'll also raise the somewhat embarrassing point that on the few times I've actually seen the new style forecast, the frame rate of the display has been apalling, appearing incredibly jerky. That can't possibly have been more than 12 frames per second.
This is _not_ going to be good press for Linux...
-- call
For those in the know; is it true that for a company like the BBC, adding another format like OGG considerably takes resources and time? If this is the case, slashdotters in the UK could volunteer valuable time and intellectual capital.
The new "service" has been introduced on BBC World as well as in the UK. It looks horrible. It might be good if you're a climate scientist and want to watch animations of weather patterns. As far as I'm concerned, it's absolutely bloody useless for delivering information about the weather.
I really couldn't care less what they're running it on, the end result is that the Beeb is presenting something that emulates CNN Weather.
Oh, and the Forecast Cafe has some entertaining discussion.
Where's the Kaboom?
There's supposed to be an Earth-shattering Kaboom.
People preferred the old format because it was clearer
;) But it says it with greater accuracy.
To be fair, a cloud with raindrops beneath it and the sun edging round from the side which sat over most of central Scotland was never entirely clear either. What it said was: "Anything could happen." This was more representative of weather forecasting of days gone by, but it's constantly improving.
I've seen the new style, and I've watched with interest as the rain moves across the landscape. Yes, it still says anything could happen
The only real failing that I can see (now that they've tried to correct the angle they're viewing the country from) is the time advance -- it's too fast, too far. Advance time, OR swoop around the map, but both at the same time is too much. Advance time with the camera stationary, THEN let the camera swoop around and talk about what's happening at 6pm as apposed to the 3pm view we previously had, for example.
I don't think the new service is all that bad, but they're definitely chucking too much information out (or not enough information, depending on how you look at it) while they're progressing through the virtual day.