Translate WX Forecast

"Matt Barrow" wrote in message
news


"Jonathan Goodish" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"Matt Barrow" wrote:
I can't stand wading through an undecoded briefing where I have to
pick
through "Wind" and "Temperature" and all of that unnecessary verbal
nonsense in order to get the information.

Wind and Temp data is nonsense?

The data is not, the excess verbiage of "Wind" and "Temperature" is.



Sounds rather like the "If you can't run a computer from the command
line,
you shouldn't be on it!" crowd. That was a popular refrain from the
Unix
gang. I wonder how many of those are on the outs right now, with the IT
industry going south? "Requirements? We don't do requirements; you'll
get it
the way we want to do it".

Not really. The bottom line is that decoded METARs/TAFs provide a lot
of information in a small package, and it can be read very quickly.
Plain language briefings are cumbersome by comparison. I know of at
least one briefing provider that has an option for undecoded, and that
is CSC DUATs.

The reality is that encoded weather may be old, but there's nothing
wrong with it, and there are quite a few advantages to it. You do have
to learn how to read it, though.


Amazing that people want to save one or two lines that provide clarity,
but
then spend eons writing out long, rambling posts in here! :~)




The truth is that We like our old fashioned metars and tafs... yes i do
think they could be a little more clear, but do find it easier to quickly
read over one or two lines, then to parse through a longer undecoded format.
I can look at a TAF and spot trends very quickly, or look at multiple metars
on a page and instantly pick out temps, winds etc without having to look for
specific words. If you dont' like it, get your imformation from ADDS, DUATS
or any number of other sources that give the option of "Plain Language"
data. Now i do think plain language formats would be ideal for NOTAMS and
such, but leave TAFs and METARs alone, especially considering all you have
to do is call up your local FSS briefer, and he will decode and read the
damn thing to you anyway if you want.