25thamendmentfan

On 1/18/2018 at 5:01 PM, donsutherland1 said:

Clearly, the rise of Social Media has made near real-time analyses and updates feasible. Many look forward to such fresh information.

However, there is a real quality issue. Sensationalism is all too common (often with the most extreme model maps being posted for upcoming events). Plain misunderstanding of complex relationships is another one e.g., I recall one Twitter account was suggesting that a high-amplitude MJO event during June 2015 was unusual for what was a rising El Niño event when, in fact, during that time of year such events often take place during strengthening El Niños on account of shorter wave lengths. Overly deterministic assessments that ignore uncertainty is another matter.

Having said this, on balance Social Media has been beneficial in the dissemination of meteorological information. But to realize such benefits, one needs to be able to differentiate between quality sources and others. Many who actively participate on various weather forums can readily differentiate. I'm not so sure the less engaged general public can.

I agree sensationalism and the demand for clicks is a disaster in news and weather. Whenever there's a big weather event novice consumers latch on to these colorful maps and bogus solutions. But it sure beats 1982 before widespread cable and internet when our only weather sources during the day were Craig Allen and noaa weather radios. Uncle wethbee has Craig Allen on in the background of lots of his Brooklyn 1980s snow videos.

The problem with content based sites on the internet...even high quality content, is the fact that no one wants to pay. I won't pay to access the Boston globe, but I'll pay for the ny Times because their reporters get all the scoops. But if a normal, generic president were in office I wouldn't pay online for the Times because there's so much free content out there.

If a site like politico went subscription they'd be out of business, and if drudge went subscription based he'd lose millions of clicks and trump never would've won.

1 hour ago, Juliancolton said:

Let's not lose sight of the fact that almost all models can be accessed for free through dozens of different sites, and if you take a little time to learn about synoptics, you can get all you need to know about the Euro from the WMO mandatory levels reproduced on Levi's site and elsewhere. Really, the only thing those guys have done is brought over-resolved and obnoxiously inflated Euro snow maps to the general public, and those aren't something that anyone needs... especially not the general public. We don't have to pretend someone is changing the world to acknowledge that they're good at getting money from people.

You make an excellent point those Euro maps maue posts are comically over inflated. He was getting thousands of retweets from fancy color coded maps depicting gusts to 140 up and down the eye 75 corridor during Irma that didn't verify anywhere or even come close. But nevertheless I applaud his marketing attempts and an ability to get a plug from drudge.

6 minutes ago, nzucker said:

Having constant pop-ups on the screen dilutes the site's content, and some are linked to malware. Do YOU want malware on your computer?

Furthermore, some ads like the Amazon prize wheel, which I've seen elsewhere, are IMPOSSIBLE to get rid of.

I'd be fine with a donation drive, small fee, fundraiser, etc. But constant pop-ups disgust me.

Thanks for your answer and of course I agree with you.

1 hour ago, Juliancolton said:

You made some good points but then...

I don't know anything about the distribution of weather model data and the economics behind it, but I do know that both gentleman are bringing weather model data to people at an affordable price and people who use this site at times are posting this content. I'm not a fan of politicization of weather of weather on either side of the political divide, nor am I fan of degreed meteorologists who jump into bed with guys like Sean Hannity but I like the idea that maue and bastardi are making weather data more accessible to the general public even if they're trying to profit off it and have a political belief system I oppose.

On 1/17/2018 at 11:14 PM, nzucker said:

Why do we need pop-ups at all?

Pathetic cash grab.

This comment is absolutely disgraceful! Especially for someone who has used this site as often as you have, since its inception. I can't believe I'm the first person with the ballz to call you out on this.

Some of the top meteorologists in the northeast post on this site on an hourly basis! Free of charge! This site has meteorologists from top 30 television markets posting on a daily basis. All for free! This site has weather enthusiasts posting valuable weather data, for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 365 days a year.

Is this site perfect? Of course not. New users and novice weather enthusiasts who don't understand model data are often treated like staffers at an all you can eat buffet once they tell Chris Christie the kitchen is out of prime rib...but nevertheless this is the best site for weather model data and discussion for any weather enthusiast who lives along the eye 95 corridor from the D.C. suburbs on up into Portland Maine.

My advice to the owners of this site, start charging. Forge an agreement with maue or Bastardi. Then get rid of the pop ups. 

I've often wondered if anyone's making money off this site? There's enough snow lovers from dc to Maine to sell winter subscriptions and make a decent amount of money. And then a separate annual tier for year round members who post year round like many of the New England bros.

8 hours ago, nzucker said:

Why do we need pop-ups at all?

Pathetic cash grab.

I have no problem with them monetizing the site if this is indeed happening. This business model is beginning to work for the ny times.

I think we need to get Mueller in here to find out "what the hel! Is going on" as trump would say.