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
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 The majority of weather widgets on this site were built with the same code which is now outdated.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"
A Notice From the WC Staff:
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.
Thank you! This is directly that I'll do next week. I'll send to weather.com the beta version of my new product and begin to talk with them about buying the legal license. I've spent so much time and efforts to make it that I must to keep it alive... Due your post I finally understood that I should solve my problems personally from now. And nobody help me with this on this page...
No. It is up to the author to fix it, not the downloader.
Ok i spent 2 hours looking at the script, followed how to open it to the letter, tryed to disable the weather, but found no weather_temp, weather_image or location... am i missing something here? I right click the DX builder icon and i get a list but none of it shows anyhting like that, it says weather a million times for sure but its always "weather..." how the hell do i see whats beyond the "..." IM A NOOB help me! I have spent a load of money on all thins stuff and now i can use any of my favorite things! Dont care about the weather, at all. i have a .com shortcut for it(altho I loved the sleekness of the widgets, props to all you).
OK, so you have a DX theme and want to fix the weather, or lose the weather part?
If you'll give me more info, I'll help you.
Seems you're having the same trouble Wiz had. See below:
Ahh, so Wiz had that problem? Shame on him. He's been working with me long enough to know that. I'll have to tease him some...lol.
You fiend!
I've been reading the posts for the problem concerning the weather widgets and from what I read, there is a way for creators to fix their widgets so that they can re-submit them. I would not mind fixing all my widgets so that they can stay on wincustomize... so what I need is help from someone to show me how to do this or fix one of mine, then I could see how and do the same for my others. Thanks
Hi Doubird, that solution is in essence a complete overhaul of coding and design layout to either comply with the TWC license agreement or use a different feed source. There are several of us in the community working on this and we will release the templates in due time for you and others to modify, visually and otherwise, in accordance with relative Terms of Services.
To everyone waiting for a solution: please be patient.
Hey,the object navigator wasn't in my training,besides I get lost in that thing. I break things for a hobby,fixing them is your department.
Just curious and it may have already been asked but what about Accuweather.com
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!
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!
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.
It is.....
OK well i just thought i would ask!Carry on!
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...
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
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.
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.
yep this works only if you CHEAT...
You'll need put any US location..
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
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