DesktopX Weather Widget Fixes
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 by sViz | Discussion: 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 The majority of weather widgets on this site were built with the same code which is now outdated.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:
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.
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Reply #162 Monday, July 27, 2009 10:11 PM
I was under the impression that was done on July 20th. 
Reply #163 Tuesday, July 28, 2009 1:45 PM
Reply #164 Tuesday, July 28, 2009 3:20 PM
Here's a Gloss Burgundy WTC widget with logo and link to WTC
The problem is that the widget includes MY licence key, which may be used by anyone else having DesktopX.
Though i need an upgrade of DesktopX whith an option to "export as non-editable widget" (i mean it would be still a widget - which needs DesktopX to be installed on the PC - and not a gadget)
N.B: I call back that end-user has in no case to get a licence as he's just a user (and it will be certainly the same with any other weather feed )
Reply #165 Tuesday, July 28, 2009 7:54 PM
Haven't looked into them, yet. The reason I went with TWC is because it's familiar and the code is already in place. There are a few other, lesser known weather providers out there who might be interested in giving TWC a run for their money in the desktop widget market; the key is finding one that provides API--that's the raw data in an easy to parse XML form--and one that might be willing to negotiate their terms.
Reply #166 Friday, July 31, 2009 8:38 AM
Hey friends,
I think we are in a dead end with this damned problem! Nobody except a few people here could not use new scripts or edit/replace their own because the skinners could not be a coders.
Besides this DesktopX lost the most of its former great popularity and the leading position on the market. And seems the speed of this falling down will be significantly accelerated if Stardock will not solve this problem in general by purchasing the TWC License for DesktopX. Don't forget that Weather Informers was one the most popular DX applications...
1. You may not change the color of TWC logo.
2. You may not put the TWC Copyright on your own widget without their permission.
Reply #167 Friday, July 31, 2009 9:01 AM
Yep i know 
i thought it was one of the rules conditions
BTW, i've send a mail to them explaining the global situation of skinners doing weather widgets with DesktopX application ( 
) and ask them who must do what and how, and if they can reconsider the recoloring Logo restriction because of the (in general) ported GUI weather widgets ... I'm waiting for answer ...
Reply #168 Friday, July 31, 2009 10:46 AM
I think we are in a dead end with this damned problem! Nobody except a few people here could not use new scripts or edit/replace their own because the skinners could not be a coders.
Besides this DesktopX lost the most of its former great popularity and the leading position on the market. And seems the speed of this falling down will be significantly accelerated if Stardock will not solve this problem in general by purchasing the TWC License for DesktopX. Don't forget that Weather Informers was one the most popular DX applications...
Reply #169 Friday, July 31, 2009 12:45 PM
You must put the LINK to wether.com but hot the TWC Copypight! Otherwise you must be the TWC employee and they must pay money for your work. 
May be they already hired you?
That's good but... I think that letter must be written and sent from Stardock or at least from Wincustomize. Otherwise this makes no sence. Nor one from us have no rights to conduct the formal negotiations with TWC about so global problems...
Reply #170 Friday, July 31, 2009 1:19 PM
We have talked with some weather outlets, and they are not interested in partnerships for this type of thing.
As we have said before, we aren't going to be purchasing a license. DesktopX hasn't stopped functioning because of this problem, it's the situation with the weather feeds that is the real issue. Skinners have even approached some weather outlets willing to purchase licenses, and they weren't even interested in that.
The bottom line I'm sorry to say is, you have to comply with the feed terms for whichever weather outlet you are using.
Reply #171 Friday, July 31, 2009 1:30 PM
As we have said before, we aren't going to be purchasing a license.
Amen I.D.
Thread need close..
Reply #172 Friday, July 31, 2009 2:46 PM
That's not at all what's explained in the "TWCi XML Data Feed Licence Agreement.pdf" notice. Here's the part concerning the Logo & weather.com and usage of the symbol © (see examples given 
)
click to see it in original size
BTW, who cares in fact (you know what i mean 
)
Reply #173 Friday, July 31, 2009 2:54 PM
Who said there's any licence to purchase ?? Did skinners who got a partner ID and Licenced Key have to purchase anything ? i didn't
Reply #174 Friday, July 31, 2009 4:10 PM
|
PLEASE CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT BEFORE INDICATING YOUR ACCEPTANCE AT THE END OF THIS AGREEMENT. BY CHECKING "I ACCEPT", YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY ALL 16 SECTIONS OF THE AGREEMENT BELOW AND EXHIBITS A, B AND C. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND ITS EXHIBITS, OR IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO ACCEPT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT, CLICK "CLICK TO DECLINE." |
I read the above in the PDF document sent to me by TWC in the SDK. I found no place to click I accept or decline.
Reply #175 Friday, July 31, 2009 5:07 PM
Yes. But it should lose a lot of its popularity for developers. At least for me...
Who know what of the other rules or copyrights (which are totally unknown for me by the way) may be violated in one of my next project? Media Player may violate the copyright of Composer or Singer. Web Browser may violate the copyright of Site Owner. And even my Rainbow Clock may violate Stardock's copyright bacause it reads and hacks the UIS Skin Format.
This looks like a permanent hammer kicks on a big grenade...
So. If I don't know what I may do and what I may not do I'LL BEGIN TO DO NOTHING... This work takes much more time that I'm ready to spend for development gadgets which may be removed from gallery in any moment because of somebody's idiotic rules or copyrights. Besides I have a lot of other hobbies and interests in my life.
I said all...
I know...
I totally agree...
Reply #176 Monday, August 3, 2009 5:02 AM
Hop, re-open 
Who said there's any licence to purchase ?? Did skinners who got a partner ID and Licenced Key have to purchase anything ? i didn't
and here it is ...
Weather XML Data Feed
Now you can include weather from The Weather Channel in your own application by signing up for access to our XML data feed. We'll enable you to search for a location and to integrate current conditions and the forecast for today and tomorrow in your application - for FREE!
Reply #177 Monday, August 3, 2009 12:35 PM
Weather XML Data Feed
Now you can include weather from The Weather Channel in your own application by signing up for access to our XML data feed. We'll enable you to search for a location and to integrate current conditions and the forecast for today and tomorrow in your application - for FREE!
hmm..
Need change ur nick to Neostarker
Reply #178 Tuesday, August 4, 2009 8:11 AM
Did you mean NeoSkyWalker 
?
Reply #179 Wednesday, August 5, 2009 8:55 PM
I was looking into an Accu Weather feed and got this reply. I removed the email addresses.
Hi, Jim. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you; my one day out of the office backed me up more than I thought it would. Unfortunately, we can’t provide feeds for projects intended for wincustomize.com, because we can’t control usage of our feeds. We have to be sure our feeds aren’t being abused because of the cost of serving data, and we can’t do that here…
Best,
Michael
________________________________________
From:
Sent: Saturday, August 01, 2009 12:00 AM
To: accuweather.com
Subject: Re: Widgets
Michael, I would be making the widgets for uploading at www.wincustomize.com for users to use for free. I do not charge for them. We were using TWC but things got a little iffy with TWC. I know Stardock already has a deal of some sort with your company because they make Gadgets with your feeds in their MyColors themes.
I am just a contributer to the site, I do not work for Stardock. My site, and some of my work, can be found here. http://redneckdude.wincustomize.com
I hope we can come to some kind of agreement on a weather feed from your company.
In a message dated 7/31/2009 5:40:26 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,@accuweather.com writes:
Hi, Jim. Are you building widgets for a personal project, or will you be distributing them commercially?
Regards,
Michael
Michael Sylvie
Research & Development Group
814-235-8638
AccuWeather, Inc.
385 Science Park Road || State College, PA 16803
________________________________________
From:
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 2:26 AM
To: @accuweather.com
Subject: Widgets
Dear sir, I would like information on making weather widgets and gadgets. I am a widget designer and would like to know how to tap in to your weather feed for my free widgets.
Thanks, Jim Dillard
You can see my work at http://redneckdude.wincustomize.com
Reply #180 Thursday, August 6, 2009 1:30 AM
I was considering emailing accuweather but figured there was a reason why they did a for-pay license with Stardock. Thanks for that update Jim.
I've contacted about 3 other weather sites, only one of which has replied so far to say they don't do free feeds. I'll give weather.com that much, at least we can use their stuff...for now.
Scores of other weather sites are just using NOAA/NWS's information.
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Reply #161 Monday, July 27, 2009 4:00 PM
Perhaps you'd better use free time to find a solution to the weather widgets problem