Thank you ChewToy for bringing the question up, and an opportunity to respond
Yes it does.
But there is a minor difference, although that transparency may be lost on folks, but since I worked in law enforcement so so long, I think from the criminal mind.
The difference is: The XML we have found is an old back up to Weather.com's XML OAP (XOAP) site, so if one goes down the other is available.
this was provided under an old contractual agreement.
As of July 08, 2009 00:00 EST, those contracts became null and void as the new business agreement went into full effect.
Weather.com has proven an inability to monitor traffic at this site (For whatever unknown reasons), so usage of this site can not be properly tracked at this time.
Due to there being no ability to sign a contract for this particular XML Information set: enforcing the copy righted material would be unlikely in a court of law. It could be argued that if weather.com and it's associates had taken proper steps (as they have with the new contracts) to secure and regulate their information, then the usage would not be freely had.
The US Federal Government is very clear on this:
if your information on the internet is not secure, do not come crying when it is stolen.
Since apparently weather.com has not secured this site, or shown any interest in regulating by encryption or proper monitoring, we can use the information as general internet usage privileges, so long as we do not advertise weather.com or utilize their logo in any way (we would not be authorized to advertise weather.com in our skins)!
With their no longer being any binding contractual agreements bound to this web site, it can be considered abandoned internet flotsam.
For the new XML Feed that you are required to sign up for to get your codes and ID, you bet you are bound. You are bound collectively to a whole bunch of things that the average individual will not want to get entangled with.
This code has been assigned to you for individual in hose business and development only. You are expected to follow a lot of strictures in order to maintain your Code and ID from being banned.
Weather.com is finally making their move to secure their information.
Unlike teh XML over XOAP URL: which is open and available, not encrypted, apparently not regulated, and has no contractual binding.
On the other hand this site does belong to a company that is still maintaining the information on an updated timely manner, there for their request of of none usage, except by authorized individuals should be honored, and the copyright respected.
Understand that ChewToy is correct, any usage of this site may be considered piracy.
Weather.com has requested that we respect their information, and I will comply.
Here is the long and short of it all:
- Can you continue to use the site, I would tentatively tell you yes, but do not depend on a long term of service from the site.
Is their any current contractual agreement to this XML: No
Are you violating any copyrighted materials: Possibly!
Does the new contract I signed up for recently also regulate the XML over XOAP: No absolutely NOT!
Should I continue to use the XML over XOAP site: I will tell you no, but each as there conscience will allow.
What harm is there in me using the site? : well let's just say I am close to getting a new community wide contract approved that would be beneficial for the Rainmeter community, and one of their folks happens to catch a recently published skin with the old Back up XML in it.
Oops: well there goes that deal!
And this is just one possible scenario
I will continue to move forward with the AccuWeather conversion, and I will also continue the dialect with weather.com
As I believe in choices, and the more choices for stuff that we have, better for all Raineers!
I will tell you what really bothers me more than anything else:
that when the XML over XOAP site goes down, we will be doing the current dance all over again.
I really do not want to hear another word, from any corner of the internet, about how
We here at Rainmeter failed in some way, and that we need to essentially get our collective foot out of our A**es and get
them their weather skin again!
this is disrespecting everything that I believe Rainmeter and the community should be, it's members, and supporters. You want your skin now, then build it yourself, everything you need is available right here, and the help to do it, demand nothing more of us, we are busy helping those that want help, not a hand out :!:
There is approximately eight years worth of skins out there, and the handful of us that are dedicated here can not update them all at once!
apologies for my harsh words, but I have seen so many comre forward to help so many others, and I am sure we are all tired.
We are doing what we can folks
Thank you again ChewToy for bringing the question up, and an opportunity to respond :ugeek:
