Re: DIFAX Alternatives (fwd)

>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2000 07:59:28 -0400
> From: James D. Marco <address@hidden>
> To: Jeff Weber <address@hidden>
> Subject: Re: DIFAX Alternatives
>
> Jeff, et al,
>        My one cent. (All I have...)
>        Some facts:
>                o      There have been numerous problems with the fax feed.
>                o      Fax is older technology
>                o      Fax data standards are not very high resolution
>                o      Fax data formats are very standard and well known.
>                o      At Cornell, the FAXs are received by computer,
>                        manipulated through a FAX->PS filter, and, printed
>                        on a laser printer.
>                o      The data on the maps/tables appears to be gleaned
>                        from a common data source.
>                o      FAX data can be sent directly to a FAX machine.
>
>        For thought:
>                o      Fax data is just one more format to handle individually
>                        by the computer people, 'cuz, it probably comes in on
>                        a computer, not a stand-alone fax machine.
>                o      Fax data is a well-known data format, but designed for
>                        analog (telephone) transmission at 9600 baud.
>                o      A distributed data delivery network with multiple 
> potential
>                        data delivery points (ex. IDD) is probably more 
> reliable
>                        than a single data location. (Assuming data is being
>                        generated and collected 100% at the source.)
>                o      More precise graphics (higher   resolutions) can be 
> handled
>                        by other types of data formats (ex. PostScript, .gif)
>                o      Reliance on computerized data is nearly universal.
>                        A separate Fax feed usually does NOT help during a data
>                        outage, 'cuz, the data is received by computer, anyhow.
>                o      Gleaned from common data sets, the fax data is only a
>                        representation of data, probably already on your 
> computer.
>                        (ex. data from a MOS model run)
>                o      IDD data reception is flex able enough to post-process
>                        a PostScript-ready map file from data received and send
>                        it to printer, AND, produce fax data format and deliver
>                        it via modem to your local FAXs, AND, more...
>                        Most of us, have computers capable of handling this.
>
>        As I said, one cents worth.  I'm not sure how the commercial world
> will handle the data.  (If Alden can't hire someone capable of re-programing
> the voice message on the answering machine . . .!)
>
>        A couple of rules from data-base normalization (for efficient and
> flex able data storage.)
>                "DO NOT store redundant data."
>                "DO NOT store calculated data."
>        On general computer science principles, it appears DIFAX should be
> replaced.
>                                                jdm    
>       
>
>
>
> At 12:39 PM 7/26/00 -0600, you wrote:
>> DIFAX Community,
>>
>> The NWS has informed Unidata that it will give a six month notice to the
>> discontinuation of the DIFAX products. That is why the word "eventually"
>> was used. We do not know when that 6 month warning will be given. Another
>> option we are investigating is delivering the Wisconsin products via the
>> IDD to aid in the speed and timeliness of the delivery of these products.
>>
>>
>> Thank you for your comments,
>>
>> -Jeff
>> ____________________________                  _____________________
>> Jeff Weber                                    address@hidden
>> Unidata Support                               PH:303-497-8676
>> NWS-COMET Case Study Library                  FX:303-497-8690
>> University Corp for Atmospheric Research      3300 Mitchell Ln
>> http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/staff/jweber      Boulder,Co 80307-3000
>> ________________________________________      ______________________
>>
>> On Tue, 25 Jul 2000, Jeff Weber wrote:
>>
>>> DIFAX community,
>>>
>>> The National Weather Service has informed Unidata that the DIFAX service
>>> will be terminated eventually.  Alden has encountered some problems with
>>> the DIFAX service via the IDD, that they currently are providing.
>>>
>>>
>>> Unidata has tracked these issues and coordinated some options that can be
>>> utilized when the DIFAX service ceases to exist or Alden continues with
>>> idd transmission difficulties.
>>>
>>> Unidata is generating .gif imagery of these products via Redbook Graphics
>>> and can be viewed or downloaded at:
>>>
>>> http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/staff/chiz/redbook/
>>>
>>>
>>> The University of Wisconsin is also generating DIFAX type products which
>>> are available for viewing and download in postscript format at:
>>>
>>> http://mapmaker.meteor.wisc.edu/difaxmaps/
>>>
>>>
>>> NOAA also offers DIFAX type products for viewing and download in
>>> compressed (G4) .tiff formats at:
>>>
>>> http://weather.noaa.gov/fax/graph.shtml
>>>
>>> and
>>>
>>> http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/wefax/products.htm
>>>
>>> DIFAX will cease operations in the near future, we offer these options as
>>> interim solutions.
>>>
>>>
>>> -Jeff
>>> ____________________________                  _____________________
>>> Jeff Weber                                    address@hidden
>>> Unidata Support                               PH:303-497-8676
>>> NWS-COMET Case Study Library                  FX:303-497-8690
>>> University Corp for Atmospheric Research      3300 Mitchell Ln
>>> http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/staff/jweber      Boulder,Co 80307-3000
>>> ________________________________________      ______________________
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
> James D. Marco, address@hidden, address@hidden
> Programmer/Analyst, System/Network Administration,
> Computer Support, Et Al.
> Office:         1020 Bradfield Hall, Cornell University
> Home:           302 Mary Lane, Varna      (607)273-9132
> Computer Lab:   1125 Bradfield            (607)255-5589
>



Linda Miller - address@hidden
External Liaison, Unidata
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
P.O. Box 3000
Boulder, CO 80307-3000
303 497-8646 fax: 303-497-8690
URL:  http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/staff/lmiller/un.act.html