Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!seismo!hal!stevem
From: stevem@hal.CSS.GOV (Steve Masters)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Looking for weather stuff
Message-ID: <449@hal.CSS.GOV>
Date: 25 Jul 90 02:18:03 GMT
References: <620006@hpnmdla.HP.COM>
Organization: ENSCO Inc., Melbourne FL
Lines: 47

glenb@hpnmdla.HP.COM (Glen Baker) writes:

>Does anybody out there know of any weather information software/hadware for
>the Amiga? As an avid windsurfer/flyer/skier/generally outside person I'm 

Current weather data is available via your modem from several sources.  Many
of them charge --non-trivial-- connect charges for their services but others
aren't too bad.  As you mention, most software systems are geared towards
IBM/Mac machines.  The text portion of these services is available and
readable to any PC with a good communications program.

Accu-Weather has three ways you can get info from their system.  Their
text service is responsive and easy to use.  They also have a simple
graphics display system, plotting weather maps using a Textronics graphics
protocol...the TEK/VLT line of PD communications software will handle
this type of plotting.  It's not really fancy, but it gets the data displayed
quickly and easily.  I have read that they have an Amiga program available
now that displays their full color graphics (including satellite pictures)
on an Amiga.  I do not own that program, so I can not vouch for the cost
or performance.

(Disclaimer....I am not associated with Accu Weather except as a satisfied
customer of their service...)

Taking another step in data reception, we have a GOES/Polar Orbiter satellite
reception system in our office that uses an Amiga.  We receive the data
directly off of the satellites and display it on the Amiga.  There are many
options concerning this type of system, many of them requiring considerable
$$$$$.  I am in the process of trying to set up an inexpensive ground
station at home for polar orbiter reception.  I would be glad to exchange
info with anyone interested in this project...I KNOW it will not be a simple
project.

Check out a recent issue of Weatherwise (should be a the library or a large
bookstore) for ads about other affordable data services.

Steve Masters      stevem@hal.CSS.GOV
ENSCO Inc.
445 Pineda Ct.
Melbourne, FL  USA 32940

>In addition, there are several really cool packages for IBM/Mac machines to
>display weather info that has been tailored to the windsurfer's needs. 
>Is there any way I can fool my Amiga into thinking it's an IBM with a decent
>monitor??

>..glen "always looking at the sky" baker