Weather Message 3.8 Released

Weather Message V3.8 has been released. You can download the update at http://www.wxmesg.com/downloadsnet.htm. For information on what has changed in this release, please read the release notes.

Note: Version 3.8 requires the Microsoft.Net Framework 3.5.  Because of this requirement, version 3.8 will not run on Windows 2000 or older operating systems.

There are over 50 changes in this release. Here are some highlights.

• Will now use the Microsoft Framework 4.0, if installed.
• Updated support for Facebook and Twitter.
• New short message variables.
• Support for FTPS and SFTP.
• WxMap now supports a dynamic map legend.
• WxMap now has an option to use the NWS product colors.
• WxMap now has an option to zoom to a county when reading a text product.
• Retired the Active-X version of WxMap.  WxMapNet replaces WxMap. 
• WxMap will now run as a 64 bit application.

Thanks for all of your suggestions, bug reports and assistance with the software. Work will begin on version 3.9 right away.  Watch the beta page for updates.

Suggestions for 3.9

• I have over 50 pending feature enhancements.  If you want to see a new feature, please send us an email.

WxDataSave, WxLocal and the Retransmission applications have been respectively released along with Weather Message 3.8. If you are using any of these applications, they must be upgraded at the same time you upgrade Weather Message.

Note: I recommend that users download and install the full Microsoft.Net Framework 4.0.  The Framework has two editions, Client and Extended.  You can use this link to download both editions - http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=17851

Note: I have a large number of pending requests. I will begin to address these over the coming months.

Note: I am still working on a new Weather Message website.  The revised website will ultimately allow users to login and obtain their registration codes. 

NOAA to take over the Weather Wire Service

One of my users sent me a letter he received from CSC. CSC provides the Weather Wire service. Here is an excerpt from the letter.

Subject: Discontinue of Weather Wire Service

Dear Weather Wire Subscriber:

Our records indicate you receive the Commercial Weather Wire Service via C-Band or Internet. CSC has provided these services for the past twenty (20) plus years to our customers. It is with great regret CSC needs to inform you that NOAA Weather Service has decided not to continue the Weather Wire Program with CSC. As of now we do know that the Weather Wire Service will be provided directly from NOAA.

At this time, CSC doesn't have any particulars or contact information to disclose. CSC will continue to provide the Weather Wire Service until first quarter of 2012. As soon as we find out more information, we will inform all of our Commercial Weather Wire Customers whom the POC is and how to receive the information on the Service NOAA will provide.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause our customers.

Weather Message users who use this service need to follow this closely.