Why are WX reports in all CAPS?

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Ixolib
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Why are WX reports in all CAPS?

#1 Postby Ixolib » Fri Oct 01, 2004 8:01 am

Why are the WX reports from all the various agencies always in CAPS? I believe it originated with the now-antiquated teletype some years ago, but in today's world, what purpose does this serve?

I searched for a previous thread on this topic as I would imagine the question had been asked before, but couldn't find one.....
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#2 Postby Agua » Fri Oct 01, 2004 8:04 am

Heh, I've wondered why the forecasters utilize elipses rather than commas, semi-colons and colons. Someone commented that they believed it was a leftover from days of the teletype.
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#3 Postby Windy » Fri Oct 01, 2004 8:06 am

It's for computer compatibility reasons. Some NWS equipment is STILL running on very old software that does not handle commas or case.
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#4 Postby dhweather » Fri Oct 01, 2004 8:23 am

The caps lock key is stuck.

As windy pointed out, they have some systems that are old and need upgrading.
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#5 Postby LaPlaceFF » Fri Oct 01, 2004 12:10 pm

They need to shout it out so everyone can hear.... LOL
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#6 Postby Ixolib » Fri Oct 01, 2004 12:13 pm

LaPlaceFF wrote:They need to shout it out so everyone can hear.... LOL


That's kinda what I was thinking... Sorta bold and ominous - so PAY ATTENTION!! :lol:
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#7 Postby Josephine96 » Fri Oct 01, 2004 12:14 pm

LOL.. They want to ENUNICATE lol
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#8 Postby Sanibel » Fri Oct 01, 2004 12:27 pm

Probably goes back to the days of cockpit teletype communications where the lettering had to be easily visible. Also it is easier to type in one case for quicker relay of information. The all-capital letters also give a serious look to the message...
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#9 Postby dhweather » Fri Oct 01, 2004 12:30 pm

Yes, the threats of all caps

TODAY MOSTLY SUNNY HIGH NEAR 80. LIGHT WINDS FROM THE NORTH.


intimidating! :)

It's all because of an old infrastructure.
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#10 Postby tronbunny » Fri Oct 01, 2004 1:16 pm

dhweather..
very funny!

:lol:
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#11 Postby Josephine96 » Fri Oct 01, 2004 1:18 pm

LOL
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#12 Postby Ixolib » Fri Oct 01, 2004 1:21 pm

dhweather wrote:Yes, the threats of all caps

TODAY MOSTLY SUNNY HIGH NEAR 80. LIGHT WINDS FROM THE NORTH.


intimidating! :)

It's all because of an old infrastructure.


See... If would have paid attention to that "threatening statement", I wouldn't have just been outside cutting the grass in the SUN AND 90 DEGREE TEMPERATURES!! :lol: Sweating my &*#W off!!
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#13 Postby Josephine96 » Fri Oct 01, 2004 1:29 pm

LOL
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#14 Postby Aslkahuna » Fri Oct 01, 2004 2:42 pm

Have to remember that weather observations go out worldwide and there are still Countries out there that use old TTY equipment and will continue to do so for some time since upgrading weather comm is that last thing on their minds in the Third World.

Steve
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#15 Postby Josephine96 » Fri Oct 01, 2004 2:44 pm

They want us to think we're being yelled at :lol:
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#16 Postby dhweather » Fri Oct 01, 2004 2:50 pm

Ixolib wrote:
dhweather wrote:Yes, the threats of all caps

TODAY MOSTLY SUNNY HIGH NEAR 80. LIGHT WINDS FROM THE NORTH.


intimidating! :)

It's all because of an old infrastructure.


See... If would have paid attention to that "threatening statement", I wouldn't have just been outside cutting the grass in the SUN AND 90 DEGREE TEMPERATURES!! :lol: Sweating my &*#W off!!


Tis a little warm today, eh?
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#17 Postby Ixolib » Fri Oct 01, 2004 3:02 pm

Yeah, DH, just a tad!! Hope you're staying cool over your way. If it keeps up like this, those SSTs will be right back up in short order...
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#18 Postby dhweather » Fri Oct 01, 2004 3:12 pm

Ugh..... The NWS keeps illuding to a cool front eventually coming through. I'm still waiting!

85 in the shade right now.

No complaints though, at least we have electricity and a roof! :)
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#19 Postby KLP124 » Fri Oct 01, 2004 8:38 pm

In one of my journalism classes, we learned that everyone reads slower when the letters are in all CAPS. News teleprompters are always in caps. Maybe that has something to do with it.

Now the elipses, I can't explain!
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#20 Postby weatherwoman » Fri Oct 01, 2004 8:47 pm

you were not paying attention THE HI WAS NEAR 80
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