ALL MEMBERS PLEASE READ

[vbhoutex]

Staff has noticed a general trend, especially in the tropical forums, towards members posting demeaning or rude comments towards some of our Public Weather agencies and sometimes each other. I know of no other way to say this except to say it must stop. We do not allow personal attacks of individual members on this site nor do we allow attacks of public agencies on this site in any way. It is one thing to respectfully disagree with someone or an agency and their conclusions and give a legitimate reason why you disagree. It is totally another to make disrespectful comments such as "they don't know what they are doing". or something similar. We have absolutely no problem with respectful disagreement on this site. In fact I would go as far as to say it is encouraged as long as it is legitimate. One doesn't learn by regurgitating others work but by observing it and studying and coming to your own conclusions.
We will be tightening down the screws on the disrespect we have been seeing. This announcement applies to EVERYONE on this site.

[Cookie]

glad to see its being clammed down upon

[ozonepete]

I'm all for it. While I disagree with agency forecasts at times, I try to keep it professional and go out of my way to never insult anyone.

[metenthusiast]

I agree with this one. Though on a personal note I do get confused and frustrated with the lack of efficiency of our local weather agency. However, I make it a habit to keep that frustration in myself. I'm more into the knowledge I could learn right here and from their shortcomings as well.

[Florida1118]

Certain people also take shots at TWC which i would think of as a agency as they Are Trained Mets.

[weatherSnoop]

Certain people also take shots at TWC which i would think of as a agency as they Are Trained Mets.

IMHO, they have become sensational media...they do have reputable people on payroll, though they do not give them nearly enough time to be considered a wholey reliable source of information.

[Keylime]

Can anyone suggest a good iPad general Weather App?

[MBryant]

Certain people also take shots at TWC which i would think of as a agency as they Are Trained Mets.

IMHO, they have become sensational media...they do have reputable people on payroll, though they do not give them nearly enough time to be considered a wholey reliable source of information.

Suggestions in the spirit of critique, not criticism:

1. Time stamp your stories if you are going to run rebroadcasts of breaking weather. There's nothing worse than seeing a report indicating impending doom 12 hours after the storm has quietly passed through the area.

2. You have around the clock broadcasts. Use it! Anyone can do yesterday's weather.

3. Perhaps throw in a five minute weather classroom at varying levels to bring the non professionals up to speed on the lingo and educate us on any changes in the current thinking in meteorology.

4. Spend a little less time showing reporters acting foolishly by standing in the storm and a little more time on how the local geography may affect the way the storm is felt and how it's destructive power is enhanced or reduced.

5. Perhaps you could even give local officials a platform for disseminating local action advisories to those affected rather than giving each other Kudos for getting wet. Maybe even the day before the storm rather than the day after.

As you can tell, my biggest pet peeve is with dated information on a 24 hour weather channel. There's no excuse for it.

I get timely information here! Maybe you could spend a few minutes reporting what is being discussed among the professional and designated non professionals on this board. It is usually about 12 critical hours ahead of the current broadcasts.

[Florida1118]

Yes, BUT, they have to do what keeps viewers; not what we want. We want timely info, which IMO they give well enough, but the reporters blowing around and yelling is more interesting obiously to the majority of people. Im pretty sure all of their shows like Weather Center, Your Weather Today etc, is Live, because they say different things and mess up differently each hour (Everyone messes up live, who cares)so they are live. As for #2, Im not sure what you mean. #3, they do have a segment for education, called Weather Wizard. It explains all types of things with experiments anyone can do at home. Also the Mets do throw in explainations of things quite often. #4 I already talked about, and #5 they already do that. Perhaps not live in person, But they do bring in people on the phone quite often when needed. EMC, Sheriff/Police Admins, Fire/EMS officals, sometimes even Governers occasionally. Lol they only give them like 2 minutes, but hey better than nothing. And if TWC can attract Dr.Knabb, Bryan Norcross, and Keep Dr.Forbes, then they must like TWC somewhat. I honestly dont get why people dislike TWC that much...the only thing that annoys me is that their "excitement shows" are well, dragged out to 30minutes, and that the mets generally focus on the NE more than any other area even when nothing is happening.

[weatherSnoop]

[quote="Florida1118"]:uarrow: Yes, BUT, they have to do what keeps viewers; not what we want. We want timely info, which IMO they give well enough, but the reporters blowing around and yelling is more interesting obiously to the majority of people....

Yes, but in down time, they replay the "live action" as though it is still live and that irks me.

[MBryant]

Criticism is warranted when information is not handled properly. TIME and DATE stamp all reports so that it becomes obvious that the LIVE BREAKING news that is being rebroadcast is no longer what it claims to be. It may be sensational, but can be harmful to those unaware. There is an OBLIGATION to give out ACCURATE information which is by necessity CURRENT or labeled as dated.

Yes, give latitude. But not a free pass. Safety is paramount, not feelings.

I realize this thread is three years old, but it is as important today as ever.