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DesktopX Weather Widget Issues - Read This

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DesktopX Weather Widget Issues - Read This

from JoeUser Forums

As many of you know from reading the forums over the past couple of days, that weather feeds being pulled in from DesktopX created widgets/objects have stopped working.  To make a short story even shorter, TWC has shown a requirement put upon all widget creators and users, and anyone else accessing their data to abide by new and quite specific demands/rules.  This goes for anyone using the feeds, not just WinCustomize users.

If you want to continue to use TWC weather feeds you will need to abide by their new rules, which includes a requirement to place a logo and links back to them.  Several DX coders including sViz and Vad_M have been posting new feeds, and some code fixes to help others fix their weather objects. 

An ongoing thread from sViz can be found here:

Which ever new weather feeds creators decide to use, they need to make sure they also abide by any rules or guideline imposed by the originating feed provider.

Starting Monday, July 20th, we will start removing broken weather widgets from the WinCustomize galleries that have not been updated and/or violate any ToS/ToU in regards to weather feeds. The WC moderators are going to keep a close eye on the DesktopX queues so that updates will be pushed through as soon as possible.  When updating a current skin, please be sure to make a note in the description that it has been updated with a new weather feed.  If authors are do not have a copy of their widgets and are not able to retrieve them from Wincustomize, they are available by request to an admin.

We understand this has caused quite a stir, but this is nothing that can be easily fixed as it’s an issue that is not in Stardock’s nor WinCustomize’s hands.  Please keep an eye on the forums for updates from DX coders who are looking at alternative solutions.

Regards,

Spencer
WC Admin

627,366 views 248 replies
Reply #176 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Ah man! I just looked out my window and saw a prompt in the sky that said I had to get the TWC permission to see the weather! Can you believe that! All I see is a broken image of the sun and clouds now! o_O ;P :(O

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Reply #177 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Could someone edit the original post to include this important clarification (it gets lost in the numerous replies.)
Done.

Star Control: Origins
Reply #178 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Ah man! I just looked out my window and saw a prompt in the sky that said I had to get the TWC permission to see the weather! Can you believe that! All I see is a broken image of the sun and clouds now!

 

You are sick...lol.

Reply #179 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I gotta get off here, too much to do.  Zu, check your PM.

Reply #180 from WinCustomize Forums Top

maybe this part:

 

In the event of any permitted copying, redistribution or publication of copyrighted material,

 

key word: permitted

 

fall under:

 

Terms of Use

 

PLEASE READ THESE TERMS OF USE CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THE SERVICES (THE "SERVICES") FROM THE WEATHER CHANNEL INTERACTIVE, INC. ("TWC"). BY USING THE SERVICES, YOU AGREE TO THESE TERMS OF USE. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS OF USE, PLEASE DO NOT USE THE SERVICES.

3.  Restrictions on Use

C. You shall not e-mail, upload, post or otherwise make available on the Services any material protected by the copyright, trademark, or other proprietary right without the express permission of the owner of the copyright, trademark, or other proprietary right and the burden of determining that any material is not protected by copyright rests with you.

 

emphasis in 3c is mine

 

I noticed under "create your own widget" - it actually creating code to put a widget on your site - nothing about a standalone

 

under the "Affiliate Program" - is a questionaire you have to fill out and wait for a reponse

Reply #181 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting WebGizmos, reply 1
Ah man! I just looked out my window and saw a prompt in the sky that said I had to get the TWC permission to see the weather! Can you believe that! All I see is a broken image of the sun and clouds now!
Mine says it's a trial version and my weather will expire in 30 days.o_O

Reply #182 from WinCustomize Forums Top

You are sick...lol.

I try. :grin:

Mine says it's a trial version and my weather will expire in 30 days.

[Insert theme to Jaws] :(O

Reply #183 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Vad_M, reply 25

I will not leave this place right now. I just stop all projects and will wait for a new version of DesktopX. Then I will take the final decision...

Vad_M

You're not just some Ukrainian guy, you're a great explorer. It's always exciting to see your latest effort, because I know you'll have done something nobody else has. You've never disappointed me yet. I don't think you're just wanted, you're needed.

I can appreciate your frustration--you have a clever and capable mind, and it's hard sometimes to restrict it. I've read a bit about some of the things you're working on, that you must have devoted a lot of time to. It would be a tragedy if they didn't bear fruit when they are so close. If you aren't appreciated now, you will be some day, especially if you carry on.

The wonderful sViz is working on some of your problems; so wait and see. All your other projects aren't affected by this.

A lot of us would hate to see you go.

Just a fan

Reply #184 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'm not a skinner or coder so I don't know what's involved in making a dx widget or gadget. I don't know if it's at all similiar to the making of a rainmeter, but the people over at Rainmeter Forum are workng hard to find a solution to this. Maybe they have information or ideas that you'all might be interested in... http://www.rainmeter.net/forum/index.php

Reply #185 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Zubaz, reply 12

... and as far as i can understand, any kind of use of the service has to be priory authorized directly by WTC, it's not only a question of logo and link to them, that means (i think) that each skinner have to get the WTC permission to do what he wants to do, widgets or so


Which section do you think indicates this?

See post #180 by Bichur

Reply #186 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Are we to understand that every referral to weather information on EVERYTHING in WinCustomize (ie. Sysmetrix, docklets etc.) are now to be pulled from the web site? Whatever benefit The Weather Channel thinks it's getting out of doing this it's loosing in bad PR. Maybe someone should point this out to them...
Reply #187 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting WebGizmos, reply 1
Ah man! I just looked out my window and saw a prompt in the sky that said I had to get the TWC permission to see the weather! Can you believe that! All I see is a broken image of the sun and clouds now!

:grin:   

noticed under "create your own widget" - it actually creating code to put a widget on your site - nothing about a standalone

under the "Affiliate Program" - is a questionaire you have to fill out and wait for a reponse

Thanks. Is the affiliate program for companies? What do I do with that field? Seems like they want partners for the affiliate program and I'm not looking to become a partner.:\

And does this apply to the XOAP feed or TWC products that must be installed?  *sigh* I wish TWC would respond to their emails.:rolleyes:

 

Reply #188 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Thanks. Is the affiliate program for companies? What do I do with that field?

 

apears that way... maybe...

I'm thinking... putting '  none  '  or  '  n/a  ' or something along those lines - whatever it will take

 

and maybe putting in what you want to do in box 8

 

and then wait for the email, which hopefully would at least give you a contact address for futher correspondence to iron out any particulars...

 

box 5 - I'm guessing option one - distribution - is more applicable than bundling

 

box 6 - I'm thinking your WC personal site - that way if they look, they'll have an idea

 

 

just thinking...

Reply #189 from WinCustomize Forums Top

*sigh* I wish TWC would respond to their emails.

I have a feeling their mailbox is overflowing......

Thanks for your help sViz :)

Reply #190 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I have a feeling their mailbox is overflowing......

 

me too..

 

or they don't work on weekends

or check your spam folder

Reply #191 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Thank you for your interest in becoming a partner affiliate.

Please be advised that we may not respond to every inquiry request due to high volume

I have a feeling their mailbox is overflowing......

I guess so. :grin:

Reply #192 from WinCustomize Forums Top

under the "Affiliate Program" - is a questionaire you have to fill out and wait for a reponse

It make non sense for me that each skinner will have to become a WTC "partner" 

In fact "Affiliate Program" is DesktopX Weather Widget, and there we are, it's to Stadock to get a license / permission from WTC and give the codes to skinners who wants to do weather widgets :waaaa:

Reply #193 from WinCustomize Forums Top
What I see here is all the carrying on over usage of The Weather Channel's info. We are going on so much about how it can be used or not used that people have gotten tunnel vision (I do see a little of trying to get a solution). Instead of trying to figure out or fight the TWC system, there has to be a way to grab an alternative. Like one party stated, use the NWS METAR data. I know this leaves the international users out. But we either get a deal with Accu-Weather, TWC, or somewhere else in place or don't do weather widgets at all. If I could change the DX themes I have to use NWS data (XML or METAR), I'd do it in a heartbeat. Continued carrying on about who's fault it is or pointing fingers will only add to being part of the problem rather than the solution. Redneck Dude and other skinners could probably all work on their own and soon have a solution that could be shared among all skinners. After that, people would all be part of the solution and the problem would be solved. It has served to, IMO, to create a mountain from a molehill. Be well, and maybe we can fix this minor issue soon. :-) Kaci
Reply #194 from WinCustomize Forums Top

In fact "Affiliate Program" is DesktopX Weather Widget, and there we are, it's to Stadock to get a license / permission from WTC and give the codes to skinners who wants to do weather widgets

 

not really.. a template does not automatically makke all weather widgets the responsibililty of Stardock

 

Stardock did not create all those weather widgets

Stardock created the tools to make widgets

Reply #195 from WinCustomize Forums Top

NWS METAR data. I know this leaves the international users out.
Actually METAR covers most of the globe.....it's mainly airport weather stations. What it does lack is 5 and 10 day forecasts.

 

 

Reply #196 from WinCustomize Forums Top

not really.. a template does not automatically makke all weather widgets the responsibililty of Stardock



Stardock did not create all those weather widgets

Stardock created the tools to make widgets

Sure, but it would be much more simple for everyone (mean skinners) if Stardock would get the permission / license ;P

Reply #197 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Sure, but it would be much more simple for everyone (mean skinners) if Stardock would get the permission / license

...and it would be even simpler still if TWC had not broken people's access to their service.....and the status quo remained.

It's always easy when people do things FOR you, but at last check the feudal system is history and slavery is outlawed [mostly] ....;)

Reply #198 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Zubaz, reply 19

Also, I tried to update themes because of this issue but unfortunately, I missundersttod what is required so those themes are now impossible to update again because they are not there to update.

Why are they not available to update by you?  If you do not have a backup, we can provide one to you.  Or were you talking about the end-user not being able to update them?

 

If you hide the weather widgets/themes, how they authors can find them to make an update (if and when it will be possible)?

How about put them in a special hidden weather-widgets library, which will be accesible to authors, but not to users, like the one we have now when a work is updated and goes to "In Moderation" library.

It can be named as "Hiden Weather Widgets", just an idea...

 

 

 

Quoting HG_Eliminator,
I wish everyone would understand this issue is all of ours and together we can find a solution, if we keep cool collective heads and work together. the fighting will only serve to divide us..

Very well said! :beer:

 

Reply #199 from WinCustomize Forums Top

It's always easy when people do things FOR you

I say it again, it would be much more simple if Stardock would obtain a license / permission from WTC which can be used by all skinners, than if each skinner has to do it (it would be a step in the right direction) especially, if license / permission is free as it seems to be :rolleyes:

Why turning the problem in every way, searching other solutions using other weather services  when everything is already working fine with weather.com (there will be just the ID and KEY to add in "solid" in existing scripts :\   )

Reply #200 from WinCustomize Forums Top

neophil78: Using weather.com feed is not "free", you have to show promotional links and the TWC logo. Getting a redistributable license which would bypass the promo links/update interval restrictions is probably going to cost Stardock a lot of money (which they will have to get somewhere), if it's even available to third parties. Note that getting a license for your company allowing you to redistribute widgets is different from one that allows sub-licensing to third-parties.

It's the same for most other weather providers BTW. A lot of them do not allow commercial use without first acquiring a license (some with specific restrictions, some with actual money).

In the end somebody is going to have to pay for such a license. Asking Stardock do to that is fine (while I personally do not think this is a good idea or that it's going to happen in the way you want, this is certainly within your rights to demand that), but it's neither free or simple.