Be able to watch approaching weather
On your previous format we were able to choose animation and watch the progress of rain or a storm to the present time. Using the new format we have to keep changing the time bar. This is unacceptable and worthless to me!!!
Captljm
shared this idea
Given that this thread has touched on such a variety of topics, it no longer captures a particular feature to be completed. I’d like to release everyone’s votes so that you can apply them to more specific ideas in the forum.
This afternoon, we made improvements to the animation quality, added more period presets, and included speed controls.
Thanks for your continued feedback.
90 comments
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Unsolicited call for feedback: I'd like to have video chats (skype or google+) with WunderMap users so we can talk about particular issues you're having with the map. (Video so you can share your screen and show me examples of trouble spots in the product).
If you can spare a half hour next week (May 13-17) during the daytime send me an email directly and we'll set up a time: schaefer@wunderground.com
Alternatively, if you can't do it next week but want to be able to participate in the near future, send me a note as well!
Thanks for your help. Sorry for multiple postings...
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frank681
commented
dirtyjob7601
I have used for work as I work outside, I can zoom out to like 1/4 of the US and use storm tracks, but they do change, try using forecast maps. All that is going on now is complaints and doing what you want, you can hire a programmer to build you as weather map to suit your wants and leave the current programmers to do there job. you can still use the old WunderMap with tracks and stop complaining about what you think you need. -
dirtyjob7601
commented
frank681
i am assuming that you do not rely on the weather report for your business. Yes, i can see the tracks on on the NEXRAD map,but it does not zoom out far enough to see approaching storms that may come in the next day or later in the day. Not to mention the fact that the WunderMap view of possible paths of the storm was very helpful for those people that work outdoors. -
dogsgomoo
commented
SMcQ, that was a well written and constructive comment especially when compared to some of the sarcastic responses defending the new system completely and blindly.
I hope the wu devs hear what you are saying. I agree, there are many benefits to the new system but there are some key design/UI issues that need to be reconsidered.
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frank681
commented
Dirtyjob7601
there is storm tracks just go to radar and click controls and click (storm tracks) you have it, someone wanted for when in animate but you can see where storm is going so why do you need arrows to show you. You want arrows use local radar it shows tracks also even in animate) -
dirtyjob7601
commented
BRING BACK THE STORM TRACKS ON THE WONDERMAP! i am a grounds keeper and used this feature several times a day. i often have to check other weather services to establish what will happen weather wise. i rarely had to do that with your storm tracks.
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SMcQ
commented
I'm getting used to the new WunderMap and appreciate the expanded animation capabilities that include other data.
Many used the old map as I did, watching radar for the advance of precipitation or end of precipitation. This allowed me to be the first on my block to clear the sidewalk of snow because I could follow the trailing end of the event on radar and be outside with shovel within five minutes, fully confident that the snowing was over despite the still ominous sky. On many occasions I could look out my window at an advancing cold front, which can be quite dramatic in Salt Lake City, while following the same advance on radar.
This can be done with the new map, and expanding the default time span to an hour gives a better sense of development. But if I remember correctly, all radar settings were animated on the old map, which allowed fine tuning of the sensitivity by precipitation type. The new map provides only one setting for animated playback, the rest are single images. (I do wish there were some guidance provided about the radar settings.)
I was ready to give up on Wunderground when you eliminated the "recent time" playback, but after you reinstated it in response to user complaints, I decided to stick with you. It is encouraging that you are responsive. However, the current process of conscripting everyone as public beta testers of the user experience is painful for all. You need a select group of user experiencebeta testers who are constructively critical with creative insight, in effect, volunteers who are part of your design team. Currently, the design team seems to be dominated by an engineering mentality that is good at developing technical ideas but not so good at understanding how people actually use WunderMap.
The WunderMap is a remarkable creation. It seems to rival and potentially exceed what a NWS forecaster has on her console. That is both amazing and overwhelming for the casual user, who integrates a limited range of features into a personal routine. If WunderMap had an automated tour technology built into it, users could use that mode to be taken on a ride through the new features while being told how they can be useful to the ordinary person.
What I want, personally, is an expanded sense of what is happening in the atmosphere, the visualized data augmenting my senses. When I track an advancing storm front I'm not just comparing what I see out the window with what I see on my computer screen. Rather, I am adding the WunderMap to my other senses for a holistic appreciation of the event.
Thank you for your perseverance.
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This week, I started advocating that we re-integrate the old GIF-based animation method into the current WunderMap.
While the new animation method gives us a vehicle for creating really compelling animations with data other than radar and satellite, it's clear that for radar and satellite it has yet to deliver as promised for all of our users.
I am not in position to promise to you the old animation method for radar and sat., but I can push for it internally. What many in these threads have mistaken for arrogance, dismissal, or neglect is, I believe, a challenge of resources. Frankly, we can't work fast enough on the WunderMap. It's our most powerful product and our most interesting. I believe we should and will continue to improve the current animation mechanisms — including the image-based animations like radar and sat.
All I can do is ask that you hang in there. We have an amazing and loyal user base, and you can rest assured that we're the same Wunderground we always have been.
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elynema
commented
They didn't take it down, I just visited it moments ago.
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CaptainCamera
commented
Elynema, they took down classic.wunderground.com
It's not a matter of new/old computers or new/old browsers. My stuff is top-of-the-line and the new WunderMap is unusable.
I've given up at this point. Clearly Wunderground.com doesn't care anymore, and I have no clue how they think that we're just a vocal minority. Are they assuming that each WunderMap page view that doesn't correspond to a negative comment posted on the forums counts as a Thumbs Up? It's ridiculous. Aside from Elynema, everyone hates the new map, and every time they release a 'Fix', things don't improve much.
GIVE YOUR PAYING CUSTOMERS A WORKING PRODUCT! The stubborn "everything is great" and "it works awesome" is just complete hogwash.
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elynema
commented
Guess who? Me again. Hey, if you want the old system, use the classic site. http://classic.wunderground.com/ I am sorry for you that it's at least a generation old, but seriously, it's the best they have for older computers. Try a newer version of Firefox maybe? Really, the new system is great, the old was okay. Just try the new system, you may just like it. (On a recent browser though).
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BladerunnerKC
commented
I have emailed with Wunderground staff and it was relayed to me that these few complaints don't represent the millions of people that use and like Wundermaps. I replied that, relatively speaking, this negative thread was by far the largest common voice on this forum. I don't think that it's viewed as such so I really don't know what to do other than see if it ever becomes useful as the old wundermap was. I will miss the practicality of the old Wundermap as we enter the spring storm season but will keep looking for a replacement. The old map really was very good at tracking storms in a very practical way.
I face the same problem at work. They replaced the email system and the problem tracking system and it now takes me 2 to 3 times longer to do my job. When we ask about getting the problems addressed in the missing features of the newer software, we are told that change is good and we need to let go. I guess that change for the sake of change is going on everywhere......
Maybe it will get better. But I am glad it's not my ATM or I would not get money out of it!
I bought an old '79 Chevy truck to get things from the hardware store and I have found that I love driving it for it's simplicity and ability to just do what it needs to do, and it has no computers! -
What Weather?
commented
My God, how many negative comments do you people need to at least offer the old WunderMap as an option? Why even have a "Forum". The new map takes forever to load, never loads completely, is sluggish and terribly slow. The "new" animation does not work correctly........EVER!! When an attempt is made to improve something that is already brilliant, shouldn't the newer version be an actual improvement or at least as good as the original? Well, it's not. It's like the Boss said, "Geez Jeff, the old map is just too perfect. Your job is to screw around with it, make it difficult to load and use, and make sure the vast majority of our viewers really, truly hate it. Then, create a WunderMap forum, review all the negative comments, and finally, DO NOTHING....just keep working on the "New Map," until we have but a handful of people using our site." That's quite a business plan, fellas. Was that strategy taught at the business school you attended? I haven't seen anything quite like it on the Web. Maybe you could write, in this forum, a few reasons why the old map had to be changed. I would really like to know why you decided that it needed improvement...please...explain this.....please. Thank you.
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anitara
commented
Matt- your improvements are not happening on the satellite view-- animation is useless. I just became a member so that i can give input-- had not even been aware that was necessary or a benefit to site visitors. Instead of or in addition to the video-- how about some bullet points on how to use.
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CaptainCamera
commented
Looks like Wunderground is removing these popular topics from the feedback form that comes up when you click "give feedback on new WunderMap." How come?
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hatman
commented
I sat here the other night trying to track the tornadic thunderstorms and it was virtually worthless.
Why did you mess up the old weather tracking map?
When the TV goes out in one of these storms I used to sit here and track the tornado's but this is not an option anymore. Might as well sit on top of the house and look for them now.. -
BladerunnerKC
commented
I wish I had the old Wundermap. At Boy Scout camp, we used wundermap to track the tornados and make sure we were safe or had to take cover. I can't see how we can do that anymore. As a storm spotter in amateur radio, I also find that I can't use Wundermap like I used to.
Maybe the techie boys should have stuck with playing with the WII in the office and left Wundermap alone....... Just sayin........
I have been in systems development for 30 years and this "techie make it cool" trend ushered in with the web.
Thank God my ATM doesn't change like this or I wouldn't get money! -
bigmikey
commented
I will not renew my subscription when the time comes.I can no longer use the full page weather function because the radar does not load.Why you people mess with things that are not broke is beyond me.
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elynema
commented
Hey, my map timeline is moving itself, AWESOME! Love the new map, thanks for replacing that good, but outdated map. Also, sidenote, whos all claiming the weather channel took over here... I exspect if that happended, well, we probably would not have Jeff's blog anymore... and second, all the loops would be only an hour long.... silly Weather Channel, one hour loops are for kids.
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frank681
commented
I just timed mine and take about 30 sec to load all data (radar and weather stations) then run thru a little less than an hour of data (like 12:48 - 1:42) in about 5 or 6 sec. that is fine with me and have used it almost every day as we in North Central Arkansas are having storm just about every day from Christmas till now. The weather stations are no longer linking every time a map is put up (they run new map for that +/- hour of data every 5 or 6 min and before the weather station went on and off with each of the changes and would drive you nuts to watch like the change in precipitation during that time. I like the changes they are making and it keeps getting better. I hated it when they first put up the new map but has changed in the last few week 150%, so don't rush off it is getting better and you can get good info as it is now. I do.
