================================================== ==================
This posting expresses the personal view and opinions of the author.
Something which everyone on this planet should be able to do.
================================================== ==================

Just to stress again that this is my *personal* view, a view which I have every
right to hold and express in public.

Now, to start on a positive note. I think the new system has great potential
when the presenters get more used to using and exploiting it and it is fed with
modified model rather than raw model fields which I am sure is the aim. The
potential for detailed regional forecasts is enormous and eventually more detail
*will* translate into greater accuracy over the years as models improve. Also
our presenters have actually been amazing this week, having to smile through
despite working their socks off to keep the show on the road, that is *real*
dedication and should be admired.

I will not dwell on all the issues raised elsewhere and here, we all know what
the main ones a

1. Choice of colours - dirty brown and yellow is not very inspiring.
2. The need for binoculars to see Scotland's weather on the national picture
3. The lack of wind forecasts nationally
4. No pressure maps or no fronts when pressure maps are shown.
5. Maps not matching reality at T+0
6. Lack of time to explain exactly what people are looking at
7. No summary charts to dwell on
8. Apparent accuracy which is not really there
9. People mistaking detail for accuracy

I am sure that all these will be addressed in due course.

No my main gripe is the speed with which this £1 million pound plus sytem has
been installed.
Just precisely what was the market research that drove it ? Was it a MORI
opinion poll conducted in a SCIENTIFIC manner using established sampling
techniques ? I am 99% sure it was not that, else the BBC would have said so. No
you can bet it was a set of bloomin focus groups. Here's how it works -

You start with the classic "if it ain't broke, fix it anyway" maxim from some
senior person who thinks it is a good time for a change, for whatever reason.
You then set up your focus groups and select the members - somehow, not
necessarily at random but a reasonable cross-section. This helps to magnify the
"requirement" into a burning issue. A Project Manager gets appointed and then a
team gets assembled and before you know it a mass of people are involved and
money is being spent. It then becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy as nobody wants
it to fail as jobs would be on the line. So every effort is made to get the
"correct" answer from the focus groups - (easily done I can assure you). Then
you can say the change is what the great British public actually wants. Moreover
you then have the power to tell any detractors that they are old fashioned and
will resist change anyway. The Project gets high-level support, more money is
spent and then people are told to implement it as it must be good and it is
progress isn't it ? But time is money and busy executives want results fast, so
corners are cut, decisions are made in haste to meet some artificial deadline
and lo and behold it hits the screens ....

Is this the best way to go about things, nature herself does not work that way,
nature EVOLVES - SLOWLY- and BEAUTIFULLY in HARMONY. I just wish certain people
would realise that.

Will.
--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A COL BH site in East Dartmoor at Haytor, Devon 310m asl (1017 feet).

mailto:
www: http://www.lyneside.demon.co.uk

DISCLAIMER - All views and opinions expressed by myself are personal
and do not necessarily represent those of my employer.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Will Hand" wrote in message
...

================================================== ==================
This posting expresses the personal view and opinions of the author.
Something which everyone on this planet should be able to do.
================================================== ==================

Just to stress again that this is my *personal* view, a view which I have
every
right to hold and express in public.

Now, to start on a positive note. I think the new system has great
potential
when the presenters get more used to using and exploiting it and it is fed
with
modified model rather than raw model fields which I am sure is the aim.
The
potential for detailed regional forecasts is enormous and eventually more
detail
*will* translate into greater accuracy over the years as models improve.
Also
our presenters have actually been amazing this week, having to smile
through
despite working their socks off to keep the show on the road, that is
*real*
dedication and should be admired.

I will not dwell on all the issues raised elsewhere and here, we all know
what
the main ones a

1. Choice of colours - dirty brown and yellow is not very inspiring.
2. The need for binoculars to see Scotland's weather on the national
picture
3. The lack of wind forecasts nationally
4. No pressure maps or no fronts when pressure maps are shown.
5. Maps not matching reality at T+0
6. Lack of time to explain exactly what people are looking at
7. No summary charts to dwell on
8. Apparent accuracy which is not really there
9. People mistaking detail for accuracy



I think there are some other basic flaws in it.

The old system of symbols could clearly show various types of dry weather
(white cloud, white cloud half sun, dark cloud, dark cloud half sun)
The typical viewer would have some idea of what type of dry weather it was.

Now there is just the one cloud symbol.
So yesterday (18th) west Cornwall was shown as cloudy bur dry all day. In
fact there were spells of hazy sunshine AM, followed by a gradually
lowering/thickening cloud, and rain by 17:00. This sequence might have been
obvious to the enthusiast, but certainly not to the average viewer. The old
system could have shown white cloud/half sun for the morning, then a white
cloud, then a dark cloud with 1 rain drop for the evening, which would have
been clear to everyone.

Also the wind symbols are rubbish.

Graham

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A COL BH site in East Dartmoor at Haytor, Devon 310m asl (1017 feet).

mailto:
www: http://www.lyneside.demon.co.uk

DISCLAIMER - All views and opinions expressed by myself are personal
and do not necessarily represent those of my employer.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Will Hand" wrote in message
...

================================================== ==================
This posting expresses the personal view and opinions of the author.
Something which everyone on this planet should be able to do.
================================================== ==================

Just to stress again that this is my *personal* view, a view which I have
every
right to hold and express in public.

Now, to start on a positive note. I think the new system has great
potential
when the presenters get more used to using and exploiting it and it is fed
with
modified model rather than raw model fields which I am sure is the aim.
The
potential for detailed regional forecasts is enormous and eventually more
detail
*will* translate into greater accuracy over the years as models improve.
Also
our presenters have actually been amazing this week, having to smile
through
despite working their socks off to keep the show on the road, that is
*real*
dedication and should be admired.

I will not dwell on all the issues raised elsewhere and here, we all know
what
the main ones a

1. Choice of colours - dirty brown and yellow is not very inspiring.
2. The need for binoculars to see Scotland's weather on the national
picture
3. The lack of wind forecasts nationally
4. No pressure maps or no fronts when pressure maps are shown.
5. Maps not matching reality at T+0
6. Lack of time to explain exactly what people are looking at
7. No summary charts to dwell on
8. Apparent accuracy which is not really there
9. People mistaking detail for accuracy



I think there are some other basic flaws in it.

The old system of symbols could clearly show various types of dry weather
(white cloud, white cloud half sun, dark cloud, dark cloud half sun)
The typical viewer would have some idea of what type of dry weather it was.

Now there is just the one cloud symbol.
So yesterday (18th) west Cornwall was shown as cloudy bur dry all day. In
fact there were spells of hazy sunshine AM, followed by a gradually
lowering/thickening cloud, and rain by 17:00. This sequence might have been
obvious to the enthusiast, but certainly not to the average viewer. The old
system could have shown white cloud/half sun for the morning, then a white
cloud, then a dark cloud with 1 rain drop for the evening, which would have
been clear to everyone.

Also the wind symbols are rubbish.

Graham

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A COL BH site in East Dartmoor at Haytor, Devon 310m asl (1017 feet).

mailto:
www: http://www.lyneside.demon.co.uk

DISCLAIMER - All views and opinions expressed by myself are personal
and do not necessarily represent those of my employer.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Will Hand" wrote in message
...

================================================== ==================
This posting expresses the personal view and opinions of the author.
Something which everyone on this planet should be able to do.
================================================== ==================

Just to stress again that this is my *personal* view, a view which I have
every
right to hold and express in public.

Now, to start on a positive note. I think the new system has great
potential
when the presenters get more used to using and exploiting it and it is fed
with
modified model rather than raw model fields which I am sure is the aim.
The
potential for detailed regional forecasts is enormous and eventually more
detail
*will* translate into greater accuracy over the years as models improve.
Also
our presenters have actually been amazing this week, having to smile
through
despite working their socks off to keep the show on the road, that is
*real*
dedication and should be admired.

I will not dwell on all the issues raised elsewhere and here, we all know
what
the main ones a

1. Choice of colours - dirty brown and yellow is not very inspiring.
2. The need for binoculars to see Scotland's weather on the national
picture
3. The lack of wind forecasts nationally
4. No pressure maps or no fronts when pressure maps are shown.
5. Maps not matching reality at T+0
6. Lack of time to explain exactly what people are looking at
7. No summary charts to dwell on
8. Apparent accuracy which is not really there
9. People mistaking detail for accuracy



I think there are some other basic flaws in it.

The old system of symbols could clearly show various types of dry weather
(white cloud, white cloud half sun, dark cloud, dark cloud half sun)
The typical viewer would have some idea of what type of dry weather it was.

Now there is just the one cloud symbol.
So yesterday (18th) west Cornwall was shown as cloudy bur dry all day. In
fact there were spells of hazy sunshine AM, followed by a gradually
lowering/thickening cloud, and rain by 17:00. This sequence might have been
obvious to the enthusiast, but certainly not to the average viewer. The old
system could have shown white cloud/half sun for the morning, then a white
cloud, then a dark cloud with 1 rain drop for the evening, which would have
been clear to everyone.

Also the wind symbols are rubbish.

Graham

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A COL BH site in East Dartmoor at Haytor, Devon 310m asl (1017 feet).

mailto:
www: http://www.lyneside.demon.co.uk

DISCLAIMER - All views and opinions expressed by myself are personal
and do not necessarily represent those of my employer.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Will Hand" wrote in message
...

================================================== ==================
This posting expresses the personal view and opinions of the author.
Something which everyone on this planet should be able to do.
================================================== ==================

Just to stress again that this is my *personal* view, a view which I have
every
right to hold and express in public.

Now, to start on a positive note. I think the new system has great
potential
when the presenters get more used to using and exploiting it and it is fed
with
modified model rather than raw model fields which I am sure is the aim.
The
potential for detailed regional forecasts is enormous and eventually more
detail
*will* translate into greater accuracy over the years as models improve.
Also
our presenters have actually been amazing this week, having to smile
through
despite working their socks off to keep the show on the road, that is
*real*
dedication and should be admired.

I will not dwell on all the issues raised elsewhere and here, we all know
what
the main ones a

1. Choice of colours - dirty brown and yellow is not very inspiring.
2. The need for binoculars to see Scotland's weather on the national
picture
3. The lack of wind forecasts nationally
4. No pressure maps or no fronts when pressure maps are shown.
5. Maps not matching reality at T+0
6. Lack of time to explain exactly what people are looking at
7. No summary charts to dwell on
8. Apparent accuracy which is not really there
9. People mistaking detail for accuracy

I am sure that all these will be addressed in due course.

No my main gripe is the speed with which this £1 million pound plus sytem
has
been installed.
Just precisely what was the market research that drove it ? Was it a MORI
opinion poll conducted in a SCIENTIFIC manner using established sampling
techniques ? I am 99% sure it was not that, else the BBC would have said
so. No
you can bet it was a set of bloomin focus groups. Here's how it works -

You start with the classic "if it ain't broke, fix it anyway" maxim from
some
senior person who thinks it is a good time for a change, for whatever
reason.
You then set up your focus groups and select the members - somehow, not
necessarily at random but a reasonable cross-section. This helps to
magnify the
"requirement" into a burning issue. A Project Manager gets appointed and
then a
team gets assembled and before you know it a mass of people are involved
and
money is being spent. It then becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy as nobody
wants
it to fail as jobs would be on the line. So every effort is made to get
the
"correct" answer from the focus groups - (easily done I can assure you).
Then
you can say the change is what the great British public actually wants.
Moreover
you then have the power to tell any detractors that they are old fashioned
and
will resist change anyway. The Project gets high-level support, more money
is
spent and then people are told to implement it as it must be good and it
is
progress isn't it ? But time is money and busy executives want results
fast, so
corners are cut, decisions are made in haste to meet some artificial
deadline
and lo and behold it hits the screens ....

Is this the best way to go about things, nature herself does not work that
way,
nature EVOLVES - SLOWLY- and BEAUTIFULLY in HARMONY. I just wish certain
people
would realise that.

Will.
--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
A COL BH site in East Dartmoor at Haytor, Devon 310m asl (1017 feet).

mailto:
www: http://www.lyneside.demon.co.uk

DISCLAIMER - All views and opinions expressed by myself are personal
and do not necessarily represent those of my employer.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----



Sound like a likely scenario

The local forecast down here last night by David Braine did show some of the
potential of the system when the presenter is given more time... It had an
aminated synoptic map (not fronts though - just crazy), the maps of the
islands were good, it was interesting to zoom in on Dartmoor , the other
animations seemed to work, it wasn't rushed, but showers just don't look
like showers and the wind indictors are, well, useless, more like locusts
moving NE than wind.

So, the regions with good presenters might see something better develop, but
for the national forecast the outlook still looks even more dumbed down.

"Will Hand" wrote in message
...

================================================== ==================
This posting expresses the personal view and opinions of the author.
Something which everyone on this planet should be able to do.
================================================== ==================

Just to stress again that this is my *personal* view, a view which I have
every
right to hold and express in public.

Now, to start on a positive note. I think the new system has great
potential
when the presenters get more used to using and exploiting it and it is fed
with
modified model rather than raw model fields which I am sure is the aim.
The
potential for detailed regional forecasts is enormous and eventually more
detail
*will* translate into greater accuracy over the years as models improve.
Also
our presenters have actually been amazing this week, having to smile
through
despite working their socks off to keep the show on the road, that is
*real*
dedication and should be admired.

I will not dwell on all the issues raised elsewhere and here, we all know
what
the main ones a

1. Choice of colours - dirty brown and yellow is not very inspiring.
2. The need for binoculars to see Scotland's weather on the national
picture
3. The lack of wind forecasts nationally
4. No pressure maps or no fronts when pressure maps are shown.
5. Maps not matching reality at T+0
6. Lack of time to explain exactly what people are looking at
7. No summary charts to dwell on
8. Apparent accuracy which is not really there
9. People mistaking detail for accuracy

I am sure that all these will be addressed in due course.

No my main gripe is the speed with which this £1 million pound plus sytem
has
been installed.
Just precisely what was the market research that drove it ? Was it a MORI
opinion poll conducted in a SCIENTIFIC manner using established sampling
techniques ? I am 99% sure it was not that, else the BBC would have said
so. No
you can bet it was a set of bloomin focus groups. Here's how it works -

You start with the classic "if it ain't broke, fix it anyway" maxim from
some
senior person who thinks it is a good time for a change, for whatever
reason.
You then set up your focus groups and select the members - somehow, not
necessarily at random but a reasonable cross-section. This helps to
magnify the
"requirement" into a burning issue. A Project Manager gets appointed and
then a
team gets assembled and before you know it a mass of people are involved
and
money is being spent. It then becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy as nobody
wants
it to fail as jobs would be on the line. So every effort is made to get
the
"correct" answer from the focus groups - (easily done I can assure you).
Then
you can say the change is what the great British public actually wants.
Moreover
you then have the power to tell any detractors that they are old fashioned
and
will resist change anyway. The Project gets high-level support, more money
is
spent and then people are told to implement it as it must be good and it
is
progress isn't it ? But time is money and busy executives want results
fast, so
corners are cut, decisions are made in haste to meet some artificial
deadline
and lo and behold it hits the screens ....

Is this the best way to go about things, nature herself does not work that
way,
nature EVOLVES - SLOWLY- and BEAUTIFULLY in HARMONY. I just wish certain
people
would realise that.

Will.
--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
A COL BH site in East Dartmoor at Haytor, Devon 310m asl (1017 feet).

mailto:
www: http://www.lyneside.demon.co.uk

DISCLAIMER - All views and opinions expressed by myself are personal
and do not necessarily represent those of my employer.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----



Sound like a likely scenario

The local forecast down here last night by David Braine did show some of the
potential of the system when the presenter is given more time... It had an
aminated synoptic map (not fronts though - just crazy), the maps of the
islands were good, it was interesting to zoom in on Dartmoor , the other
animations seemed to work, it wasn't rushed, but showers just don't look
like showers and the wind indictors are, well, useless, more like locusts
moving NE than wind.

So, the regions with good presenters might see something better develop, but
for the national forecast the outlook still looks even more dumbed down.

"Will Hand" wrote in message
...

================================================== ==================
This posting expresses the personal view and opinions of the author.
Something which everyone on this planet should be able to do.
================================================== ==================

Just to stress again that this is my *personal* view, a view which I have
every
right to hold and express in public.

Now, to start on a positive note. I think the new system has great
potential
when the presenters get more used to using and exploiting it and it is fed
with
modified model rather than raw model fields which I am sure is the aim.
The
potential for detailed regional forecasts is enormous and eventually more
detail
*will* translate into greater accuracy over the years as models improve.
Also
our presenters have actually been amazing this week, having to smile
through
despite working their socks off to keep the show on the road, that is
*real*
dedication and should be admired.

I will not dwell on all the issues raised elsewhere and here, we all know
what
the main ones a

1. Choice of colours - dirty brown and yellow is not very inspiring.
2. The need for binoculars to see Scotland's weather on the national
picture
3. The lack of wind forecasts nationally
4. No pressure maps or no fronts when pressure maps are shown.
5. Maps not matching reality at T+0
6. Lack of time to explain exactly what people are looking at
7. No summary charts to dwell on
8. Apparent accuracy which is not really there
9. People mistaking detail for accuracy

I am sure that all these will be addressed in due course.

No my main gripe is the speed with which this £1 million pound plus sytem
has
been installed.
Just precisely what was the market research that drove it ? Was it a MORI
opinion poll conducted in a SCIENTIFIC manner using established sampling
techniques ? I am 99% sure it was not that, else the BBC would have said
so. No
you can bet it was a set of bloomin focus groups. Here's how it works -

You start with the classic "if it ain't broke, fix it anyway" maxim from
some
senior person who thinks it is a good time for a change, for whatever
reason.
You then set up your focus groups and select the members - somehow, not
necessarily at random but a reasonable cross-section. This helps to
magnify the
"requirement" into a burning issue. A Project Manager gets appointed and
then a
team gets assembled and before you know it a mass of people are involved
and
money is being spent. It then becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy as nobody
wants
it to fail as jobs would be on the line. So every effort is made to get
the
"correct" answer from the focus groups - (easily done I can assure you).
Then
you can say the change is what the great British public actually wants.
Moreover
you then have the power to tell any detractors that they are old fashioned
and
will resist change anyway. The Project gets high-level support, more money
is
spent and then people are told to implement it as it must be good and it
is
progress isn't it ? But time is money and busy executives want results
fast, so
corners are cut, decisions are made in haste to meet some artificial
deadline
and lo and behold it hits the screens ....

Is this the best way to go about things, nature herself does not work that
way,
nature EVOLVES - SLOWLY- and BEAUTIFULLY in HARMONY. I just wish certain
people
would realise that.

Will.
--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
A COL BH site in East Dartmoor at Haytor, Devon 310m asl (1017 feet).

mailto:
www: http://www.lyneside.demon.co.uk

DISCLAIMER - All views and opinions expressed by myself are personal
and do not necessarily represent those of my employer.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----



Sound like a likely scenario

The local forecast down here last night by David Braine did show some of the
potential of the system when the presenter is given more time... It had an
aminated synoptic map (not fronts though - just crazy), the maps of the
islands were good, it was interesting to zoom in on Dartmoor , the other
animations seemed to work, it wasn't rushed, but showers just don't look
like showers and the wind indictors are, well, useless, more like locusts
moving NE than wind.

So, the regions with good presenters might see something better develop, but
for the national forecast the outlook still looks even more dumbed down.

I totally agree with Will's analysis. Just back from Poland so late to the
debate.

The old charts with fronts and isobars is what got me interested in the
first place,
to find out what was going on and why. I think that even if people do not
understand the terminology,
it at least resonates more to say "cool showery north westely airstream",
with a nice satellite pic,
than a stagnant blob supposedly indicating where you might get some rain.

The main attraction of Countryfile was the detailed forecast. I find the
whole thing a bit patronising: we had a pretty good set up previously. I
have been away in Poland where the TV forecasts have improved a bit, the
graphics ok, no radar though, but at least they have the odd European
synoptic chart, brief description of weather around Europe, focus on Poland
region by region, and on some there is a biometeorlogical and pollen
forecast.

Dorian.




"Will Hand" wrote in message
...

================================================== ==================
This posting expresses the personal view and opinions of the author.
Something which everyone on this planet should be able to do.
================================================== ==================

Just to stress again that this is my *personal* view, a view which I have
every
right to hold and express in public.

Now, to start on a positive note. I think the new system has great
potential
when the presenters get more used to using and exploiting it and it is fed
with
modified model rather than raw model fields which I am sure is the aim.
The
potential for detailed regional forecasts is enormous and eventually more
detail
*will* translate into greater accuracy over the years as models improve.
Also
our presenters have actually been amazing this week, having to smile
through
despite working their socks off to keep the show on the road, that is
*real*
dedication and should be admired.

I will not dwell on all the issues raised elsewhere and here, we all know
what
the main ones a

1. Choice of colours - dirty brown and yellow is not very inspiring.
2. The need for binoculars to see Scotland's weather on the national
picture
3. The lack of wind forecasts nationally
4. No pressure maps or no fronts when pressure maps are shown.
5. Maps not matching reality at T+0
6. Lack of time to explain exactly what people are looking at
7. No summary charts to dwell on
8. Apparent accuracy which is not really there
9. People mistaking detail for accuracy

I am sure that all these will be addressed in due course.

No my main gripe is the speed with which this £1 million pound plus sytem
has
been installed.
Just precisely what was the market research that drove it ? Was it a MORI
opinion poll conducted in a SCIENTIFIC manner using established sampling
techniques ? I am 99% sure it was not that, else the BBC would have said
so. No
you can bet it was a set of bloomin focus groups. Here's how it works -

You start with the classic "if it ain't broke, fix it anyway" maxim from
some
senior person who thinks it is a good time for a change, for whatever
reason.
You then set up your focus groups and select the members - somehow, not
necessarily at random but a reasonable cross-section. This helps to
magnify the
"requirement" into a burning issue. A Project Manager gets appointed and
then a
team gets assembled and before you know it a mass of people are involved
and
money is being spent. It then becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy as nobody
wants
it to fail as jobs would be on the line. So every effort is made to get
the
"correct" answer from the focus groups - (easily done I can assure you).
Then
you can say the change is what the great British public actually wants.
Moreover
you then have the power to tell any detractors that they are old fashioned
and
will resist change anyway. The Project gets high-level support, more money
is
spent and then people are told to implement it as it must be good and it
is
progress isn't it ? But time is money and busy executives want results
fast, so
corners are cut, decisions are made in haste to meet some artificial
deadline
and lo and behold it hits the screens ....

Is this the best way to go about things, nature herself does not work that
way,
nature EVOLVES - SLOWLY- and BEAUTIFULLY in HARMONY. I just wish certain
people
would realise that.

Will.
--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A COL BH site in East Dartmoor at Haytor, Devon 310m asl (1017 feet).

mailto:
www: http://www.lyneside.demon.co.uk

DISCLAIMER - All views and opinions expressed by myself are personal
and do not necessarily represent those of my employer.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I totally agree with Will's analysis. Just back from Poland so late to the
debate.

The old charts with fronts and isobars is what got me interested in the
first place,
to find out what was going on and why. I think that even if people do not
understand the terminology,
it at least resonates more to say "cool showery north westely airstream",
with a nice satellite pic,
than a stagnant blob supposedly indicating where you might get some rain.

The main attraction of Countryfile was the detailed forecast. I find the
whole thing a bit patronising: we had a pretty good set up previously. I
have been away in Poland where the TV forecasts have improved a bit, the
graphics ok, no radar though, but at least they have the odd European
synoptic chart, brief description of weather around Europe, focus on Poland
region by region, and on some there is a biometeorlogical and pollen
forecast.

Dorian.




"Will Hand" wrote in message
...

================================================== ==================
This posting expresses the personal view and opinions of the author.
Something which everyone on this planet should be able to do.
================================================== ==================

Just to stress again that this is my *personal* view, a view which I have
every
right to hold and express in public.

Now, to start on a positive note. I think the new system has great
potential
when the presenters get more used to using and exploiting it and it is fed
with
modified model rather than raw model fields which I am sure is the aim.
The
potential for detailed regional forecasts is enormous and eventually more
detail
*will* translate into greater accuracy over the years as models improve.
Also
our presenters have actually been amazing this week, having to smile
through
despite working their socks off to keep the show on the road, that is
*real*
dedication and should be admired.

I will not dwell on all the issues raised elsewhere and here, we all know
what
the main ones a

1. Choice of colours - dirty brown and yellow is not very inspiring.
2. The need for binoculars to see Scotland's weather on the national
picture
3. The lack of wind forecasts nationally
4. No pressure maps or no fronts when pressure maps are shown.
5. Maps not matching reality at T+0
6. Lack of time to explain exactly what people are looking at
7. No summary charts to dwell on
8. Apparent accuracy which is not really there
9. People mistaking detail for accuracy

I am sure that all these will be addressed in due course.

No my main gripe is the speed with which this £1 million pound plus sytem
has
been installed.
Just precisely what was the market research that drove it ? Was it a MORI
opinion poll conducted in a SCIENTIFIC manner using established sampling
techniques ? I am 99% sure it was not that, else the BBC would have said
so. No
you can bet it was a set of bloomin focus groups. Here's how it works -

You start with the classic "if it ain't broke, fix it anyway" maxim from
some
senior person who thinks it is a good time for a change, for whatever
reason.
You then set up your focus groups and select the members - somehow, not
necessarily at random but a reasonable cross-section. This helps to
magnify the
"requirement" into a burning issue. A Project Manager gets appointed and
then a
team gets assembled and before you know it a mass of people are involved
and
money is being spent. It then becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy as nobody
wants
it to fail as jobs would be on the line. So every effort is made to get
the
"correct" answer from the focus groups - (easily done I can assure you).
Then
you can say the change is what the great British public actually wants.
Moreover
you then have the power to tell any detractors that they are old fashioned
and
will resist change anyway. The Project gets high-level support, more money
is
spent and then people are told to implement it as it must be good and it
is
progress isn't it ? But time is money and busy executives want results
fast, so
corners are cut, decisions are made in haste to meet some artificial
deadline
and lo and behold it hits the screens ....

Is this the best way to go about things, nature herself does not work that
way,
nature EVOLVES - SLOWLY- and BEAUTIFULLY in HARMONY. I just wish certain
people
would realise that.

Will.
--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A COL BH site in East Dartmoor at Haytor, Devon 310m asl (1017 feet).

mailto:
www: http://www.lyneside.demon.co.uk

DISCLAIMER - All views and opinions expressed by myself are personal
and do not necessarily represent those of my employer.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I totally agree with Will's analysis. Just back from Poland so late to the
debate.

The old charts with fronts and isobars is what got me interested in the
first place,
to find out what was going on and why. I think that even if people do not
understand the terminology,
it at least resonates more to say "cool showery north westely airstream",
with a nice satellite pic,
than a stagnant blob supposedly indicating where you might get some rain.

The main attraction of Countryfile was the detailed forecast. I find the
whole thing a bit patronising: we had a pretty good set up previously. I
have been away in Poland where the TV forecasts have improved a bit, the
graphics ok, no radar though, but at least they have the odd European
synoptic chart, brief description of weather around Europe, focus on Poland
region by region, and on some there is a biometeorlogical and pollen
forecast.

Dorian.




"Will Hand" wrote in message
...

================================================== ==================
This posting expresses the personal view and opinions of the author.
Something which everyone on this planet should be able to do.
================================================== ==================

Just to stress again that this is my *personal* view, a view which I have
every
right to hold and express in public.

Now, to start on a positive note. I think the new system has great
potential
when the presenters get more used to using and exploiting it and it is fed
with
modified model rather than raw model fields which I am sure is the aim.
The
potential for detailed regional forecasts is enormous and eventually more
detail
*will* translate into greater accuracy over the years as models improve.
Also
our presenters have actually been amazing this week, having to smile
through
despite working their socks off to keep the show on the road, that is
*real*
dedication and should be admired.

I will not dwell on all the issues raised elsewhere and here, we all know
what
the main ones a

1. Choice of colours - dirty brown and yellow is not very inspiring.
2. The need for binoculars to see Scotland's weather on the national
picture
3. The lack of wind forecasts nationally
4. No pressure maps or no fronts when pressure maps are shown.
5. Maps not matching reality at T+0
6. Lack of time to explain exactly what people are looking at
7. No summary charts to dwell on
8. Apparent accuracy which is not really there
9. People mistaking detail for accuracy

I am sure that all these will be addressed in due course.

No my main gripe is the speed with which this £1 million pound plus sytem
has
been installed.
Just precisely what was the market research that drove it ? Was it a MORI
opinion poll conducted in a SCIENTIFIC manner using established sampling
techniques ? I am 99% sure it was not that, else the BBC would have said
so. No
you can bet it was a set of bloomin focus groups. Here's how it works -

You start with the classic "if it ain't broke, fix it anyway" maxim from
some
senior person who thinks it is a good time for a change, for whatever
reason.
You then set up your focus groups and select the members - somehow, not
necessarily at random but a reasonable cross-section. This helps to
magnify the
"requirement" into a burning issue. A Project Manager gets appointed and
then a
team gets assembled and before you know it a mass of people are involved
and
money is being spent. It then becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy as nobody
wants
it to fail as jobs would be on the line. So every effort is made to get
the
"correct" answer from the focus groups - (easily done I can assure you).
Then
you can say the change is what the great British public actually wants.
Moreover
you then have the power to tell any detractors that they are old fashioned
and
will resist change anyway. The Project gets high-level support, more money
is
spent and then people are told to implement it as it must be good and it
is
progress isn't it ? But time is money and busy executives want results
fast, so
corners are cut, decisions are made in haste to meet some artificial
deadline
and lo and behold it hits the screens ....

Is this the best way to go about things, nature herself does not work that
way,
nature EVOLVES - SLOWLY- and BEAUTIFULLY in HARMONY. I just wish certain
people
would realise that.

Will.
--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A COL BH site in East Dartmoor at Haytor, Devon 310m asl (1017 feet).

mailto:
www: http://www.lyneside.demon.co.uk

DISCLAIMER - All views and opinions expressed by myself are personal
and do not necessarily represent those of my employer.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------