HammerSkin (general chat to the Skin/off topic)

[uk_skinner]

Hi, I got an email from Mr. Nishimura Masataka who is the author of EzDownload.  He said there is no problem to use his software for our purpose.  So here is my simple instruction to use his program to download radar image for TP to use.

1)   If anything is not right, please let me know.  I tested it and worked on my IPAQ.  I son't know the other device, let me know if it works on yours.  I will updated if it is necessary.

2)  The zip file include, ReadMe (word Document with some screen shot), city1.exe, the site to download EzDownload is in the ReadMe file, also you need WinHex, again ths site also in there, 4 image files.

3) The city1.exe will download a radar image of Washington,DC from accuweather.com.

4) I also included a simple instruction to change URL and cityid.gif using WinHex.  But if anyone has a better way to do it.  Please share with us.

5) Since this is just a beginning of idea, a lot of improvement needs to be done.  For instance, it is still a lot of work to set up city.exe.

6) At beginning, if you need me to help you with city.exe, please send me th URL address and cityid.  I will complier the exe for you and send you back.  However, if Jim is willing, I can upload to here and anyone can download it.

7) Just a remindar, since this an exe, I would encourage you to scan with anti-virus program beofre you use them.

Again, I will help you if you have any question.

9) Wichtel, I also would like your input for the way I put radar image in Hammerskin1.04.EngR.

Thanks and enjoy....

Edit:  Found a mistake in the ReadMe document.  Please redownload the zip file.

Radar.zip

[Wichtel]

Hello uk_Skinner


I have tried this out and there already is a problem in the City1.exe. On German Devices the Folder Program Files is named Programme. Can you change the name in the City1.exe and providing a German version to the Dowload ? I haven't succeeded with the Hexeditor.

Thanks

[uk_skinner]

Hello uk_Skinner


I have tried this out and there already is a problem in the City1.exe. On German Devices the Folder Program Files is named Programme. Can you change the name in the City1.exe and providing a German version to the Dowload ? I haven't succeeded with the Hexeditor.

Thanks

No problem, I will upload it once I make the change.  Is there anything you would like to change in german?

[uk_skinner]

Hello uk_Skinner


I have tried this out and there already is a problem in the City1.exe. On German Devices the Folder Program Files is named Programme. Can you change the name in the City1.exe and providing a German version to the Dowload ? I haven't succeeded with the Hexeditor.

Thanks

Wichtel:

          I found a major mistake in the ReadMe.  The "EzDownload" should be in "Windows" not in "Program Files".  Also, as requested, citi1g.exe will save file in Programme/TodayPlus/Images/Radar.  You can find the file in the zip.

[JTod]

uk_skinner,

I followed your instructions and it only prduces an image of the VA area.  I changed city1 with a hex editor to N Y and M A and R I and it still produces an image of VA.  Can you compile a city1 file for Rhode Island?

Thanks - J

[JTod]

I think I figured out the problem.  I tried this link:

http://www.accuweather.com/nx_mosaic_234X175c/sir/inmsirVA_.gif

from the city1.exe file in a web browser and it works.  But, when you change the VA to MA it does not work in a web browser.  Therefore, the problem is with the link.  How do you create a new link for other states?

JTod

[uk_skinner]

uk_skinner,

I followed your instructions and it only prduces an image of the VA area.  I changed city1 with a hex editor to N Y and M A and R I and it still produces an image of VA.  Can you compile a city1 file for Rhode Island?

Thanks - J

What is the zip code?

Try http://www.accuweather.com/pda/pda_5dy.asp and type your zip code.

Edit:  This is the closest one I could find from accuweather.com.  If you have a better one, let me know.

[joelw135]

Did you change the number that he shows circled in his instructions? I made the same error.

[JTod]

uk_skinner,

OK.  Based on the link suggested, I can try

http://www.accuweather.com/pda/pda_5dy.asp?act=S&thisZip=02906

in the city1.exe.  I'll try this in the morning and report back.

joel,

I did not change the digit.  It is definitely a link problem.

Thanks for your help,

JTod

[Timmy]

Hello uk_skinner,

Nice feature!!!

I followed some threads and looked and tried some wheather sites. As far as I could see, the radar-pics are only for the US, and not Europe, for instance. But maybe I'm wrong. Can you shine your light on this?


Thanks,
Timmy

[Wichtel]

uk_skinner

Thanks the City1g.exe works on my Device. But Timmy has mentioned the right, Everything works only for the USA till now. For Europe I have found only this web site till now. The problem is starting now there. There is many different Satelittepictures for Europe. Which one shall we use? I haven't managed to change the Url in the city1g.Exe either.
Is there any possibility of changing the URL without practicing Hexeditor?
Which radar picture shall swm1605 use for South Africa?
Questions about questions.

I think we must create an international version which everybody can use

[Timmy]

uk_skinner

Thanks the City1g.exe works on my Device. But Timmy has mentioned the right, Everything works only for the USA till now. For Europe I have found only this web site till now. (...)

I think we must create an international version which everybody can use (...)

Wichtel,

I agree with you that it would be fine if someone could find an international version everybody can use!

The things I've found for The Netherlands are this nice radar pic and
this nice radar pic. This radar pic  is too large, I suppose.

Maybe, these examples can help by forming new ideas.

Timmy

[uk_skinner]

Jtod:

      The one I posted will work for you.  Please try the citi1RI.zip at the top of this page.


Wichtel and Timmy:

      I totally agree with you guys.  I was also trying to find the right radar image for international cities several weeks ago.  The image was too "big" interms of size and cover area.  I would suggest to see you can find some from local tv station weather site.  This will give you more details in your area, however the size might not good for PPC.  But maybe there is something we can try to fit it in.  An other option is go back to use IE to download and view the radar image.  

      If anyone can find the useful URL sites, please let me know.  Just post url sites here.  It will just take me only 1 minute to complier the exe.  I will be happy to do it.  I also trying to see I can modify the program to get url infromation from a text file.  But this is "way above" my limit right now.  If anyone is willing to help, please jump in.

Wichtel:

      How the radar region I put in Hammerskin1.04EngR worked?  I came up this very quickly and tested it.  I worry I might miss something.  Did you see anything wrong so far?  I used the same idea in both 1.04 and 1.03 (with your latest image), it seemed worked but I would like you or someone's input regarding the skin.  Thanks.

[uk_skinner]

This is an example I found from BBC:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/ukweather/east/rain.shtml

One thing I am not sure is the name of the image file.  If the site using the different name each time they update the image, then it is very difficult to get the right one unless we know how they name the image.  At Accuweather.com, the name of image doesn't change when they update.  Can someone from UK can tell me this is a good one?

[Wichtel]

....
Wichtel:

      How the radar region I put in Hammerskin1.04EngR worked?  I came up this very quickly and tested it.  I worry I might miss something.  Did you see anything wrong so far?  I used the same idea in both 1.04 and 1.03 (with your latest image), it seemed worked but I would like you or someone's input regarding the skin.  Thanks.

It´s worked fine, the basic idea is good. We still will see how we do this definitely. At the moment, I still have noticed two things:

1st If I don't have any current weather data, I cannot have any radar picture shown either. So we must accommodate the button somewhere else. At the moment, but this isn't so important

2nd If I look at the radar picture and update the data, the start strip appears below in the picture. Is this a fault in the Exe? or this is at you also so?