The New York Times Weather Page Projects List - Scritping for Fun and Profit by Andrew Ansorge

This page represents current projects that I am working on or that are on my "radar screen" for future work (it is not a complete list).
The code for the scripts below has been moved offline. If you would like to see the code, please send an email to the address below.
Questions or comments? Email aja18 (at) meteo.psu.edu
Key: .app/.scpt = Applescript | .pl = Perl | .html = Web | .csh = C-shell
Current Projects
Status
Description
Completion
Date/Future Work
climosave.appCompleteSaves the Excel file for the Metro ClimatesNone
tempguidbig_backup.appCompleteDownloads 4 panel US temperature guidanceNone
TaskMaker.appCompleteMakes and names rmap/rfor, ears, cmap, discuss; changes permissionsNone
JawsofText.appCompleteExtract the text from the ears, rfor, discussNone
chilpdf_sendtext.appCompleteConverts chil to PDF, FTPs; sends text products to NYTNone
amfiler_addon.appCompleteCleans up the TODAYS NYT WORK folder
(part of NYT_AMFiler.app)
None
CASIAmaker.appCompleteMakes and names CASIA; changes permissionsNone
copynymetro.appCompleteCopys NYmetro to desktop on Saturday
Saves the marine forecast!
None
delete_SAT_nymetro.appCompleteDeletes the copied NYmetro from the desktop on SaturdayNone
quitx11.scptCompleteQuits X11 application so the computers can power down at night.None
close.appCompleteOpens the cmap and a web broswer with the 12z GFS 54hr forecast (or 0z GFS 66hr forecast on Saturday)None
afterhours.scptCompleteConverts the NYT pages and cmap to PNG for HD e-Wall and nyt2Version 2
released
afterhours_am.scptCompleteSame as afterhours.scpt, except it runs in the morning in case
afterhours.scpt doesn't run at night
Version 2
released
afterhours_manual.scptCompleteSame as afterhours.scpt, except user has to run because
both afterhours did not run
Version 2
released
movepages.cshCompleteMoves the pages to the web at 3:00AM for HD e-WallNone
martha.appComplete;
NYT Holding
Zips up the WORK folder in the Todays NYT Out directory
Sends along a contact file for the closer
Need the FTP address
iht_bias_print.appCompletePrints out the Europe/Asia bias spreadsheet on Sunday morningNone
hprcc_temp.cshCompleteCurls last week temperature graphic to the desktopNone
find.plCompleteSearches the USPLN lightning file for certain latitudes and longitudesNicties
screensaver.cshCompleteCurls various weather images (satellite, radar, etc) and has it displayed as screensaver.None
d2awareDelayedGEMPAK-adapted script from Fred that displays 6 forecast panels; 12z(0z) WRF 54(66)hr cloud, 12z(0z) WRF/GFS 54(66)hr, 12z(0z) GFS 54(66)hr cloudTBD
Adverse Operating Procedures (AOP)In ProgressExcel sheet that outlines the products we make and
what is needed to complete in situations such as a prolonged power outage.
TBD
moons.plHoldMakes the moon table for creating the XML fileTBD
index***_**.htmlDelayed; ~60% CompleteAn all off-site Backup NY Times webpage of our
typical links from sources outside of PSU
TBD



Defunct Scripts
Reason
Description
p2p.scpt - Pages 2 PNGCombined with afterhours.scptConverts the NYT pages to PNG for HD e-Wall
cmap.scptCombined with afterhours.scptMakes the cmap file into a high-res PNG for HD e-Wall
nyt2.scptCombined with afterhours.scptDisplays various NOAA and NYT images for "shock and awe" eye candy
iht_verify.appNo Longer in DevelopmentVerifies the IHT table temperature forecasts
CASIA_cities_hide.appFinished; not neededHides the cities on the CASIA map



For Fun
Status
Description
Future Work
jazz.appCompleteStarts playing the Sky.fm Smooth Jazz iTunes Radio streamNone
svr.appCompletePrompts for the severe wx scenario (PA, NE, Midwest) and loads a
regional radar image and iembot
Change the set bounds for left monitor
hurricane.appCompleteDisplays a list of states/region, then opens an appropriate graphical area in WeatherScope to watch hurricane landfall and iembotChange the set bounds for left monitor



Possible Future Projects
Importance
Description
Ears Situational Awareness (ESA)ModerateAlerts forecaster to noteworthy weather changes
Verification of Marine ForecastsLowVerifying the marine text forecast
(Feasibility Study for Similiar, Future Projects)
Verification of NY Times temperature tableLowShould be easily adapted from iht_verity.app once completed
IHT Scripts for new OSLowAwaiting new templates from Times.
Chil to BhilLowConverts the color highlight to black and white (multiple scripts)
CABS - Close aided by SoundLowComputer/User interaction; prototype needs to be developed and tested
Low priority; likely will not work



Research
Importance
Description
How are forecast words interpreted?Low"Plentiful sunshine," "dimmed sunshine", "considerable cloudiness," etc. How are these interpreted by our readers. This may require assistance from Weather World or NYT to get responses via a survey
The Perfect BiasLowFinding the Perfect Bias: An Investigative Study on Model Output Statistics (MOS) for Boston (BOS), New York (NYC) and Washington (DCA)



Projects and Unix/Linux Resources
AppleScriptMacScripterApplescript IntroHanaanDefinitive GuideMissing ManualMacResearch
Tutorial
MacDev Blog
InDesignTop 10 TipsInDesignInDesign Ref    
PhotoshopPhotoshop PDF      
PerlCamelPower/EasePerl 21    
SedSed TutorialSed Chart     
Octal DumpingManual Pages      
CronsWikiQuikRefIndiana U    
neditnedit      
vivi Cheat Sheetvi Manual     
PinePinePine wikiAlpine    
WebColors      
CSSCSSCSS Short