We’re contacting you today to tell you about some upcoming changes to the Weather Underground (WU) API and what these changes mean for you.
The WU API has been around since 2010 to help you develop apps and websites as well as manage your Personal Weather Station data. During that time, we’ve watched you build amazing products and visualize weather data with creativity and purpose.
Over the years, our infrastructure has struggled to keep up with the growing numbers of users coming to us for API data. We realized we needed to make changes to ensure the highest level of quality, performance and uptime for our API users.
As a result, we’ve made the difficult decision to retire the Weather Underground API. The Weather Company, which acquired WU back in 2012, offers a powerful suite of enterprise-grade APIs that might be better suited to meet your scale and performance needs while offering a broader range of weather data. You can see these products here.
Here’s what you need to know going forward:
We are grateful for your commitment to Weather Underground and appreciate your understanding and support as we work through this process. These changes will allow us to continually improve our services and develop new features to keep WU a thriving place for you for many years to come.
Thanks for being part of the community.
Sincerely,
The WU Team
The WU API has been around since 2010 to help you develop apps and websites as well as manage your Personal Weather Station data. During that time, we’ve watched you build amazing products and visualize weather data with creativity and purpose.
Over the years, our infrastructure has struggled to keep up with the growing numbers of users coming to us for API data. We realized we needed to make changes to ensure the highest level of quality, performance and uptime for our API users.
As a result, we’ve made the difficult decision to retire the Weather Underground API. The Weather Company, which acquired WU back in 2012, offers a powerful suite of enterprise-grade APIs that might be better suited to meet your scale and performance needs while offering a broader range of weather data. You can see these products here.
Here’s what you need to know going forward:
-
Your subscriptions, and therefore access, will continue to work through 12/31/2018.
-
If you are a paying WU API customer, you will receive a call from a representative from The Weather Company, and IBM business, to discuss transition options to other API services. If you’d like to have these conversations sooner, contact us.
-
If you are a Personal Weather Station owner, you will receive more information about our plan to offer free access to the data you provide to Weather Underground. We’ll reach out once that plan has been finalized.
-
The WU Forum will continue to be the best place to connect, keep you informed, share your feedback and get your questions answered as we go through this process.
We are grateful for your commitment to Weather Underground and appreciate your understanding and support as we work through this process. These changes will allow us to continually improve our services and develop new features to keep WU a thriving place for you for many years to come.
Thanks for being part of the community.
Sincerely,
The WU Team
Tim Roche, Official Rep
Posted 10 months ago
I use API for my RainMachine Wi-Fi sprinkler controller, using my own weather station data at my home. How will this affect me?
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Hi, John.
That's an extremely broad question that calls on me to make a wide variety of assumptions.
A) For the short term, I don't think it affects you at all. Assuming your PWS id and API key are both linked to the same email address, then we should put the two together and will keep your key. If you'd prefer not to leave that to chance, you can email me your PWS id and API key, and I will make sure that it does not get turned off.
B) Some time after the first of the year, there will be a portal where you can sign up for a key for the new API. We anticipate giving PWS owners/uploaders a month to transition to the new API once it is ready. We will post more information about that on the Forum. Because many, perhaps most PWS uploaders do not use the API, there is unlikely to be a direct email blast to PWS owners (as some have requested from me), as it would only be confusing. If, however, you would like to have me email you, so that you don't have to keep checking back to the Forum, that is a service I am willing to provide. I plan to do that as a standard feature for everyone who signs up on my list by providing their PWS ID and API key.
C) Once the new API is ready and you have your new key, you will need to rewrite the calls that your sprinkler controller makes for information. You will not, as I currently understand it, need to redo anything with uploading your data to Weather Underground.
One point to make here: is it necessary to have an API call to get this information? I think the answer is no. If you store your own PWS information on your own computer, you can, I think, get what you need from there without any API at all. But every installation of equipment is going to be unique, and I cannot pretend to know how all of those various machines work, much less work together. But as a programmer myself, I can understand how it is possible to avoid the API call altogether. This is not to discourage anyone from using our API (or any other), but simply to note that there are other possibilities as well.
I don't know if this answers all the questions you (or others) have, so if not, please let me know. Anyone who wants to sign up their PWS/API key can email me below.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
That's an extremely broad question that calls on me to make a wide variety of assumptions.
A) For the short term, I don't think it affects you at all. Assuming your PWS id and API key are both linked to the same email address, then we should put the two together and will keep your key. If you'd prefer not to leave that to chance, you can email me your PWS id and API key, and I will make sure that it does not get turned off.
B) Some time after the first of the year, there will be a portal where you can sign up for a key for the new API. We anticipate giving PWS owners/uploaders a month to transition to the new API once it is ready. We will post more information about that on the Forum. Because many, perhaps most PWS uploaders do not use the API, there is unlikely to be a direct email blast to PWS owners (as some have requested from me), as it would only be confusing. If, however, you would like to have me email you, so that you don't have to keep checking back to the Forum, that is a service I am willing to provide. I plan to do that as a standard feature for everyone who signs up on my list by providing their PWS ID and API key.
C) Once the new API is ready and you have your new key, you will need to rewrite the calls that your sprinkler controller makes for information. You will not, as I currently understand it, need to redo anything with uploading your data to Weather Underground.
One point to make here: is it necessary to have an API call to get this information? I think the answer is no. If you store your own PWS information on your own computer, you can, I think, get what you need from there without any API at all. But every installation of equipment is going to be unique, and I cannot pretend to know how all of those various machines work, much less work together. But as a programmer myself, I can understand how it is possible to avoid the API call altogether. This is not to discourage anyone from using our API (or any other), but simply to note that there are other possibilities as well.
I don't know if this answers all the questions you (or others) have, so if not, please let me know. Anyone who wants to sign up their PWS/API key can email me below.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Thank you for the response, Victoria. I think your paragraph A answered my question. The on-board software of the RainMachine calls for an API key and the PWS ID, which are currently both embedded in the software and both are linked to the same e-mail. So, I will not worry about this any further. I appreciate your response. Happy Holidays to you!
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Perfect! Same to you, John!
--Victoria
--Victoria
I think you should give us more time to be adapted new system. Time is running out but we have no idea about new system as a developer. Because I didn't get answer my emails
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
As I noted elsewhere, I have answered your emails, and I find it reprehensible that you are pretending otherwise here in a public forum. The many, many people who email me directly all know that I answer quickly, often within an hour. I will not be bullied or gaslighted.
For everyone else: I know I have said this a million times, all I can do is suggest that there will be an opportunity to shift. The December 31 deadline is becoming weaker all the time, that is, less likely to be enforced.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
For everyone else: I know I have said this a million times, all I can do is suggest that there will be an opportunity to shift. The December 31 deadline is becoming weaker all the time, that is, less likely to be enforced.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
what makes you angry lilke that I don't understand. if you respond my email please proof it
MIME-Version: 1.0
Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2018 00:42:21 +0300
Message-ID: <CANOg9LkQvhOkA06Dv3H1sry7xs5=v42NqwyE...>
Subject: Weather api
From: mahmut cihan yeter <mcyeter@gmail.com>
To: victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000521fe6057b983544"
--000000000000521fe6057b983544
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Hi I'm mcihany
<https://apicommunity.wunderground.com/weatherapi/people/mcihany>; on WU
forum.
I was send detail info before with cihan@cihanyeter.com but no one return
me.
I want to learn price of 300.000 calls per day 10 day hourly weather
forecast and current weather and also I wonder new api will same json
format?
--000000000000521fe6057b983544
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
<div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr">Hi I'm=C2=A0
<a href=3D"https://apicommunity.wunderground.com/weatherapi/people/mcihany"=
style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(48,83,147);text-decoration-line:n=
one;background:rgb(242,242,242);font-family:"Source Sans Pro",Hel=
vetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.5px">mcihany</a>=C2=A0on WU forum.<div=
><div>I was send detail info before with <a href=3D"mailto:cihan@cihanyeter=
.com">cihan@cihanyeter.com</a> but no one return me.</div><div>I want to le=
arn price of 300.000 calls per day 10 day hourly weather forecast and curre=
nt weather and also I wonder new api will same json format?</div></div></di=
v></div>
--000000000000521fe6057b983544--
Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2018 00:42:21 +0300
Message-ID: <CANOg9LkQvhOkA06Dv3H1sry7xs5=v42NqwyE...>
Subject: Weather api
From: mahmut cihan yeter <mcyeter@gmail.com>
To: victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="000000000000521fe6057b983544"
--000000000000521fe6057b983544
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Hi I'm mcihany
<https://apicommunity.wunderground.com/weatherapi/people/mcihany>; on WU
forum.
I was send detail info before with cihan@cihanyeter.com but no one return
me.
I want to learn price of 300.000 calls per day 10 day hourly weather
forecast and current weather and also I wonder new api will same json
format?
--000000000000521fe6057b983544
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
<div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr">Hi I'm=C2=A0
<a href=3D"https://apicommunity.wunderground.com/weatherapi/people/mcihany"=
style=3D"box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(48,83,147);text-decoration-line:n=
one;background:rgb(242,242,242);font-family:"Source Sans Pro",Hel=
vetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.5px">mcihany</a>=C2=A0on WU forum.<div=
><div>I was send detail info before with <a href=3D"mailto:cihan@cihanyeter=
.com">cihan@cihanyeter.com</a> but no one return me.</div><div>I want to le=
arn price of 300.000 calls per day 10 day hourly weather forecast and curre=
nt weather and also I wonder new api will same json format?</div></div></di=
v></div>
--000000000000521fe6057b983544--
thats my email so where is yours?
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Not playing this game.
Yes I think it is just a game for you but not me and others....
As I understand we are alone with the problem.....
As I understand we are alone with the problem.....
The only item reprehensible here is the way WU and IBM have handled this.
Now that everyone is upset this mouth-piece they hired is getting tired of people
just not rolling over and taking it.
Now that everyone is upset this mouth-piece they hired is getting tired of people
just not rolling over and taking it.
So we pay all of the expenses to provide WU with data...and then WU is going to charge us to use it? Sounds like a SCAM to me...
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Jim, I'm not sure what you're talking about.
PWS owners/uploaders are going to continue to have API access. If you have heard anything else, it is incorrect. Please see my response to John Cook a few notes above this one.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
PWS owners/uploaders are going to continue to have API access. If you have heard anything else, it is incorrect. Please see my response to John Cook a few notes above this one.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
FOR HOW LONG are the PWS owners going to have API access? A year, a month?
It appears now to be inevitable that PWS owners will also be screwed eventually, likely with little to no notice.
I have always known IBM to be nebulous, but this is rediculous. I actually bought a System 36 back in the day, with promises of a deal for MAPICS. Hah! Didn't happen the way they promised.
I am about to go on a rampage to get as many PWS owners as possible to MOVE!
Another startup like WU could be done. It would be far easier if WU goes away. I'm ready to invest in that startup.
It appears now to be inevitable that PWS owners will also be screwed eventually, likely with little to no notice.
I have always known IBM to be nebulous, but this is rediculous. I actually bought a System 36 back in the day, with promises of a deal for MAPICS. Hah! Didn't happen the way they promised.
I am about to go on a rampage to get as many PWS owners as possible to MOVE!
Another startup like WU could be done. It would be far easier if WU goes away. I'm ready to invest in that startup.
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Hi, Kent!
I don't think anyone here envisions there being a time limit on how long PWS owner/uploaders will have access. They are going to be switching over to a new API, and that new API we hope will have its own healthy lifespan.
A lot of PWS owners have no need for an API for their connections. So not all PWS owners are even affected by the change.
Wishing you well,
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
I don't think anyone here envisions there being a time limit on how long PWS owner/uploaders will have access. They are going to be switching over to a new API, and that new API we hope will have its own healthy lifespan.
A lot of PWS owners have no need for an API for their connections. So not all PWS owners are even affected by the change.
Wishing you well,
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
What's
Hello !! Ihave sew today taht the api response with a 503 error, so i have visit the website and i saw that the service is ended !!!
As a personnal user (100 calls / day max) , what is the way to have access to the "new" api explained in this post ?
As a personnal user (100 calls / day max) , what is the way to have access to the "new" api explained in this post ?
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Hi, Vincent!
The current API will be ending soon, yes.
I'm not sure if you have a personal weather station or not. PWS owners who upload their data to Weather Underground will continue to have access to the current API until we transition over to the new one.
If you just use the API, then the answer is less clear. I am waiting for more information so that I may provide a clear response. But if those 100 calls/day are critical for you, you may want to start investigating other platforms.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
The current API will be ending soon, yes.
I'm not sure if you have a personal weather station or not. PWS owners who upload their data to Weather Underground will continue to have access to the current API until we transition over to the new one.
If you just use the API, then the answer is less clear. I am waiting for more information so that I may provide a clear response. But if those 100 calls/day are critical for you, you may want to start investigating other platforms.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Unfortunatelly IBM is not known to be different in social skill than the guys from WU were. I canceled my subscripion today. May IBM become happy with the rest of WU to feed Deep Thunder. I never had such bad experiences with a business partner I had with the WU guys. And the IBM staff wasn't different in the last months. I wrote emails to so many responsibles from IBW/Watson/Weather Channel but nobody cared about me losing my whole project due to suddenly occuring and for long time not fixed API bugs. Just one guy who appologized for the behaviour of all involved persons. Victoria, what I could read hear in your comments, I am convinced that you are working for IBM since a longer time.
Good bye and best regards
Marc
Good bye and best regards
Marc
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Good luck, Marc, I wish you well!
Victoria Gardner
Victoria Gardner
Victoria, I have been uploading data to WU for years and I have a few API keys associated with my account. I pull data onto self built internet of things type devices (Wifi device with a small screen). In addition I pull my data to display along side my solar panel output (Enphase as well as PVOutput) as well. Will we be restricted to a single API key or any existing keys we have as a provider of upload data?
I ask this because I do not control the read rate for the Enphase and PVOutput uses. It uses the API key to track the temperature out at the solar array. The other devices I have coded to grab data at various intervals typically well within the free use restrictions set up previously.
I have not read the other two pages of response so you may have covered this already. If not please respond. Thanks.
BTW - My Upload station ID is KTXAUSTI234. If you can figure out why my station is not reporting on the MapBox map that would be cool. The Wondermap is fine. Odd???
I ask this because I do not control the read rate for the Enphase and PVOutput uses. It uses the API key to track the temperature out at the solar array. The other devices I have coded to grab data at various intervals typically well within the free use restrictions set up previously.
I have not read the other two pages of response so you may have covered this already. If not please respond. Thanks.
BTW - My Upload station ID is KTXAUSTI234. If you can figure out why my station is not reporting on the MapBox map that would be cool. The Wondermap is fine. Odd???
(Edited)
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Hi, JN! This thread is getting very long, isn't it?
I'm going to start with your PWS station. What do you mean by "not reporting on the map"? Do you mean the map that shows wind/temp readings, to the left of the temperature on the PWS dashboard?
Yes, at this point the plan is to have one API key available per person. I looked through the data usage for all your keys, and you are well under the data limits we're considering for the new API. Is there use beyond your current keys that I should look at or consider? If so, please email me directly.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
I'm going to start with your PWS station. What do you mean by "not reporting on the map"? Do you mean the map that shows wind/temp readings, to the left of the temperature on the PWS dashboard?
Yes, at this point the plan is to have one API key available per person. I looked through the data usage for all your keys, and you are well under the data limits we're considering for the new API. Is there use beyond your current keys that I should look at or consider? If so, please email me directly.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Thanks for the response.
When I go here: https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KTXAUSTI234
I don't see the little icon for the wind and temp. If another station is selected mine disappears and is not visible. If I select Wondermap then it shows up. Odd and I noted it started to do this about a month ago.
As for the API's... it will be slightly painful for me to consolidate to a single API key but it can be done. I used separate API keys to keep track of the individual devices that pulled data. If I now consolidate it will be more difficult to find out if any single device is acting up.
As an electrical engineer/hobbyist I created a number of small weather station devices. I have about four of those spread from office to home and garage. I also have an irrigation controller (OpenSprinkler) that uses API data to change irrigation ON times. For good or bad I took out new API keys for each one. Luckily I enabled a web interface to configure all of the devices so I just need to reboot the devices in config mode and via my phone I can setup the API key as well as what SSID to connect to. Lastly I have a large solar array in my backyard that I report local weather via yet another API key to both PVOutput as well as my Solar Inverter supplier Enphase Energy. Both of those web interfaces provide a graphical means of observing my production live via the net. So you can see I have quite a need to maintain the API keys if possible. If a single key is the ONLY supported solution then I can modify the devices as time permits.
When I go here: https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=KTXAUSTI234
I don't see the little icon for the wind and temp. If another station is selected mine disappears and is not visible. If I select Wondermap then it shows up. Odd and I noted it started to do this about a month ago.
As for the API's... it will be slightly painful for me to consolidate to a single API key but it can be done. I used separate API keys to keep track of the individual devices that pulled data. If I now consolidate it will be more difficult to find out if any single device is acting up.
As an electrical engineer/hobbyist I created a number of small weather station devices. I have about four of those spread from office to home and garage. I also have an irrigation controller (OpenSprinkler) that uses API data to change irrigation ON times. For good or bad I took out new API keys for each one. Luckily I enabled a web interface to configure all of the devices so I just need to reboot the devices in config mode and via my phone I can setup the API key as well as what SSID to connect to. Lastly I have a large solar array in my backyard that I report local weather via yet another API key to both PVOutput as well as my Solar Inverter supplier Enphase Energy. Both of those web interfaces provide a graphical means of observing my production live via the net. So you can see I have quite a need to maintain the API keys if possible. If a single key is the ONLY supported solution then I can modify the devices as time permits.
(Edited)
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
For your station, only stations that pass quality control appear on the map, I believe. See https://feedback.weather.com/customer/portal/articles/2924652-are-personal-weather-stations-on-wunde...
I can see why you would want to maintain multiple API keys. I have passed this on to those who are making the final decisions on the new API. Thank you for taking the time to explain it!
--Victoria
I can see why you would want to maintain multiple API keys. I have passed this on to those who are making the final decisions on the new API. Thank you for taking the time to explain it!
--Victoria
(Edited)
When will PWS owners that currently don't have a key be able to obtain a key????
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
If you like, email me with your PWS ID. I have a short list of people who are anxiously awaiting a key, and I can email you when more information becomes available.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
"...when more information becomes available..." what a frigging joke. End of service 12/31 and 20 days prior to that, no information is available? ... and people still believe that something in regards to granting them access will happen? L O L.... It is just great to see how IBM behaves - never again a single Dollar supporting them.
Terry, I think IBM is more worried about companies like ClimaCell than individual PWS owners. And I don't mean that in a negative way; the Acu-rite deal for IBM really ensures they'll keep a lot of data for basically nothing from all those $100 weather stations being sold this Christmas.
People with the high-end station who want to use an API are a niche within a niche, and any large company has to prioritize their spend.
People with the high-end station who want to use an API are a niche within a niche, and any large company has to prioritize their spend.
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Tom, I've said again and again that PWS owner/uploaders will have access to the new API. I've offered to help ensure PWS owners are not cut off. I'm not sure what more I can do.
Terry, I wish you well.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Terry, I wish you well.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Victoria - I think another email blast to API users would help. I'm a user AND a PWS uploader, but I didn't know that my API access would continue to work past the deadline. I've passed that info on to a few other users in Reddit who also upload and weren't aware of it. I appreciate your efforts but I think a clarification would help greatly. Up until a few minutes ago, I thought I was losing access on 12/31 and then waiting on a new solution/API to arrive. Finding out otherwise was a great relief.
I'll do my best to spread the news, but it's always better coming from an official at the organization rather than second hand.
I'll do my best to spread the news, but it's always better coming from an official at the organization rather than second hand.
(Edited)
I thought that sometime later in 2019, PWS owners will no longer have access to the API as well? So basically all softwares collecting data from WU will have to be rewritten.
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Yes and no, David.
The current API will close down in early 2019, but for PWS owner/uploaders a new, free WU API will open. So PWS owner/uploaders will continue to have access to data.
However, there will be some recoding involved. The new API will not be backward compatible to the old API. Documentation for the new API is available online, but keep in mind that old keys will not work on the new API, and we do not have the portal for the new keys ready yet. But this should help begin the transition process:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eKCnKXI9xnoMGRRzOL1xPCBihNV2rOet08qpE_gArAY/edit
For anyone who is continuing to look for paid data options, please see The Weather Company's offerings here: http://biz.weather.com/WU-Data-API_Data-Package-Demo-Request.html
Be sure to fill out the form to the right on that page to have someone contact you.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
The current API will close down in early 2019, but for PWS owner/uploaders a new, free WU API will open. So PWS owner/uploaders will continue to have access to data.
However, there will be some recoding involved. The new API will not be backward compatible to the old API. Documentation for the new API is available online, but keep in mind that old keys will not work on the new API, and we do not have the portal for the new keys ready yet. But this should help begin the transition process:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eKCnKXI9xnoMGRRzOL1xPCBihNV2rOet08qpE_gArAY/edit
For anyone who is continuing to look for paid data options, please see The Weather Company's offerings here: http://biz.weather.com/WU-Data-API_Data-Package-Demo-Request.html
Be sure to fill out the form to the right on that page to have someone contact you.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Hey Victoria,
when we can expect to get keys for the new API? Because yes I can do some "blind" development for the new API, but real testing is much better :-)
when we can expect to get keys for the new API? Because yes I can do some "blind" development for the new API, but real testing is much better :-)
Great thanks for the information. The five day forecast should work for me.
Will there still be a way to get weather radar, static and gif?
Will there still be a way to get weather radar, static and gif?
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
I appreciate your input, Robert (comment above David's), but we've tried email blasts, multiple times over the past three months, and if you haven't gotten it yet, it seems unlikely it would work in the future. Thank you for your efforts to keep the information flowing around the Web! If there are sites you think I should visit and spread information on, I would be happy to hear of them.
Particularly for PWS owners/uploaders, many do not use the API at all, don't even have keys, and telling them that something about WU is going down only sows confusion. So while we've made efforts to contact API keyholders, there has been nothing directed specifically to PWS owners. You may see some of that confusion in your postings.
Sincerely,
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Particularly for PWS owners/uploaders, many do not use the API at all, don't even have keys, and telling them that something about WU is going down only sows confusion. So while we've made efforts to contact API keyholders, there has been nothing directed specifically to PWS owners. You may see some of that confusion in your postings.
Sincerely,
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Ingo and Joegr (if you'll let me combine these),
I don't yet have an estimated time of arrival for the method for obtaining keys (which we internally have been calling a portal, I don't know if that will stick or not). I will post again when it's ready!
I don't think the image-related access is available on the PWS API. It is on The Weather Company's paid API. If that's not correct, I'll come back and edit this.
Victoria Gardner
I don't yet have an estimated time of arrival for the method for obtaining keys (which we internally have been calling a portal, I don't know if that will stick or not). I will post again when it's ready!
I don't think the image-related access is available on the PWS API. It is on The Weather Company's paid API. If that's not correct, I'll come back and edit this.
Victoria Gardner
Any plans for a public beta test of the new PWS API? I dad a quick look at the new documentation. I hope the new API has something like an OpenAPI 3.0 (OAS 3.0) spec, so that we can easily generate client code (and you can easily generate the online documentation). That would make adaptation and switch from the old API much faster.
As a customer of WU migrating to IBM Weather is totally disappointing, WU was giving ALL data including hourly, forcast and current weather in a single API call, with IBM Weather you need to do 3 calls to get the same data and this skyrockets the cost of the service. How can you discontinue a service without providing a valid alternative? I need to get 10 days forecast, current weather and hourly weather in a single call to use the service, how can i do that?
(Edited)
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Frank, I'm sorry the switch is not going smoothly for you.
It's possible to combine the calls using the agcommon API:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hsh20WrRb_LGHoRQGvyqJ6_izdclL_03ZYYwE5DsXys/edit
But it's still going to count as 3 calls.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
It's possible to combine the calls using the agcommon API:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hsh20WrRb_LGHoRQGvyqJ6_izdclL_03ZYYwE5DsXys/edit
But it's still going to count as 3 calls.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
If its going to count as 3 calls it has no use for me as i would have to change the billing model, i will just switch to another provider. I see IBM has become the new "embrace and destroy" company, RHEL will be next. Good luck.
Victoria, do you have a link to the documentation for the new API?
You're not going to like the new API.
It will take 3 API calls to get the same data from the current API 1 call.
It will take 3 API calls to get the same data from the current API 1 call.
Understood, don't think I can twist IBM's arm on that. ;)
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Scott, keep in mind that while you make calls which request three different kinds of data, not everyone does. You see only your own key, I look at thousands of them.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
This is more of an FYI but I am a registered PWS owner and never got a email this was happening (and nothing in my spam folder either). Fortunately a weather app I use mentioned this in their update this week so I only now found out. I’ve signed up to follow this thread. I assume that’s the best way to be kept informed?
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Hi, Ron!
PWS owners per se were not notified, since many do not use the API at all. Do you have an API key? If so, you might want to drop me an email with your API key and PWS id, and I will make sure they stay married together through the process.
We did try to notify all the API key holders, but there somehow seems to have been a lot of holes. Anyone who is concerned about not falling into that hole again should feel free to drop me an email, and I will send out updates directly. But we will also post announcements on this Forum.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
PWS owners per se were not notified, since many do not use the API at all. Do you have an API key? If so, you might want to drop me an email with your API key and PWS id, and I will make sure they stay married together through the process.
We did try to notify all the API key holders, but there somehow seems to have been a lot of holes. Anyone who is concerned about not falling into that hole again should feel free to drop me an email, and I will send out updates directly. But we will also post announcements on this Forum.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Thanks for your help.
We are a "Stratus - Drizzle" subscriber and the first warning I received about the API expiring is when I my monthly billing email informed me today that my subscription had expired. At first I thought maybe it was the credit card that had expired, but googling quickly brought me to this forum and thread. It appears as if email blasts were not sent to all contacts?
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Hi, Frnblk!
We tried to contact everyone, but clearly did not succeed. It may have ended up in your spam filter.
Feel free to contact me directly for more personalized information.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
We tried to contact everyone, but clearly did not succeed. It may have ended up in your spam filter.
Feel free to contact me directly for more personalized information.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Thanks. I get a daily spam filters report for my email account and I didn't run across it there, and when I checked the last 35 days in the spam web portal it wasn't there, either. Do you know when, approximately, the communication(s) were sent out?
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Various attempts were made from October through early December, including, apparently, one this past week, which I, at least, was not expecting.
I'm sorry, again, that it didn't reach you.
Victoria
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
I'm sorry, again, that it didn't reach you.
Victoria
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Thanks. It's water under the bridge for me now, but the troubleshooter in me will always remain curious as to why no message was received.
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
I know, me too. It's been very frustrating for all of us here, given how much we wanted the word out.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
I just disabled the wunderground module of my station and am no longer feeding you free data. I hope others will do the same!
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
I'm sure this may be considered unpopular, but while it's a PITA to have to figure out new code and access or hope your favorite project is going to adapt, at least we were warned and we're being given a path to move to at no cost and access up until we do. And they are responding and doing so respectfully. Documents exist and guidelines. Tangible things instead of promises.
Now compare this with how Logitech handled closing off access to a local device API without warning, through a silent firmware update that mentioned nothing about it in the release notes! Then they double down by saying it affected a 'few users'. People are calling for a pitchfork raid. And only terse replies that they don't plan on reversing the decision. Period. No interaction.
In comparison, WU seems to have a much firmer grasp on their own API situation. Victoria deserves a little more respect as the point person who has to deal with this; a decision she may or may not have had any material input on. I think she's doing a yeoman's task and doing an admirable job given the circumstances.
Now compare this with how Logitech handled closing off access to a local device API without warning, through a silent firmware update that mentioned nothing about it in the release notes! Then they double down by saying it affected a 'few users'. People are calling for a pitchfork raid. And only terse replies that they don't plan on reversing the decision. Period. No interaction.
In comparison, WU seems to have a much firmer grasp on their own API situation. Victoria deserves a little more respect as the point person who has to deal with this; a decision she may or may not have had any material input on. I think she's doing a yeoman's task and doing an admirable job given the circumstances.
(Edited)
I have seen no explanation if why its necessary to change the api other than bad programers. No reasion i can see why the old api cant keep working with quotos changed.... so why cant it? Only reason i can see it they want to kick off all existing accounts. If someone wants to explain why the api needs to he changed and why the new one cant be backward compatable i would like to see that.
(Edited)
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
As I answered elsewhere, the old WU API is being closed for reasons that were determined long ago. Backward compatible API are not trivial to build. Arguing about these sorts of details now will not change anything.
I'm sorry that this change is difficult, but the change is necessary. We appreciate that customers going through this transition with us are also struggling. Thank you for your continued efforts!
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
I'm sorry that this change is difficult, but the change is necessary. We appreciate that customers going through this transition with us are also struggling. Thank you for your continued efforts!
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
So, I was in touch with Victoria a few days ago and she was super nice and friendly and really tried to help.
For the data I supply to WU, what I needed in return was access to my data and hourly temperature forecasts for the next 8 hours. Turns out this forecast information is not in the free package so I would have to pay (high?) monthly fees to be able to get it. So in the end the only thing I could get for free, that I need, is my own data.
Since my weather station is a hard-coded appliance, I was kind of stuck. But, as I am also a programmer :) I managed to redirect my own outgoing data to a server on my local network and read & store it to disk (not very hard). I found another site (like WU used to be in the beginning) so I wrote a simple script to convert and forward them my data instead. In return I get free access to loads of information, limited in numbers but still plenty high for personal use. Sorry WU, I wish you all the best but I too will be turning off my feed to you pretty soon. I wanted to stay with you but you gave me no reasonable choice.
For the data I supply to WU, what I needed in return was access to my data and hourly temperature forecasts for the next 8 hours. Turns out this forecast information is not in the free package so I would have to pay (high?) monthly fees to be able to get it. So in the end the only thing I could get for free, that I need, is my own data.
Since my weather station is a hard-coded appliance, I was kind of stuck. But, as I am also a programmer :) I managed to redirect my own outgoing data to a server on my local network and read & store it to disk (not very hard). I found another site (like WU used to be in the beginning) so I wrote a simple script to convert and forward them my data instead. In return I get free access to loads of information, limited in numbers but still plenty high for personal use. Sorry WU, I wish you all the best but I too will be turning off my feed to you pretty soon. I wanted to stay with you but you gave me no reasonable choice.
"So in the end the only thing I could get for free, that I need, is my own data."
That's value ;)
Jokes aside, there's lots of services out there, some of them geared to higher volumes; if you dig through this thread, you'll find several of them; I saw one that had 10,000 free calls a day, they provide soap or restful services, and they didn't require you to send them any data.
As I said previously (and not to sound like a broken record), any developer who doesn't abstract away the physical interfaces in his code is going to be subject to all sorts of problems and frustrations as weather data becomes more of a commodity and free tiers go away.
That's value ;)
Jokes aside, there's lots of services out there, some of them geared to higher volumes; if you dig through this thread, you'll find several of them; I saw one that had 10,000 free calls a day, they provide soap or restful services, and they didn't require you to send them any data.
As I said previously (and not to sound like a broken record), any developer who doesn't abstract away the physical interfaces in his code is going to be subject to all sorts of problems and frustrations as weather data becomes more of a commodity and free tiers go away.
(Edited)
Also keep in mind that there are projects like WeeWX, Acuparse and Meteobridge available if you want to keep, parse and display your own data on your own website.
Robert, Thanks for the link. I'm using old ambient weather software which is horribly broken (and they have no intention of fixing), so I need some new software that gives me better control then the stilted template system that it uses.
I wanted to use the WeeWX because I like the built-in templates, but I didn't want to set up a Linux PC to run it. Someone offered to give me an older Mac laptop (circa 2010), which isn't fast, but it doesn't need to be.
I just need to see if it supports the old Vantage Pro 1; I've done a lot of work on that station over the past 10 years to keep it operational, including reflowing a lot of solder on the main board because the years of heat/cool cycles had begun to crack some of the solder joints.
It should support it since it's the same protocol. I just need to see if there's a Serial to USB adapter for the Mac that will work with it.
I wanted to use the WeeWX because I like the built-in templates, but I didn't want to set up a Linux PC to run it. Someone offered to give me an older Mac laptop (circa 2010), which isn't fast, but it doesn't need to be.
I just need to see if it supports the old Vantage Pro 1; I've done a lot of work on that station over the past 10 years to keep it operational, including reflowing a lot of solder on the main board because the years of heat/cool cycles had begun to crack some of the solder joints.
It should support it since it's the same protocol. I just need to see if there's a Serial to USB adapter for the Mac that will work with it.
I’m not familiar with the software you are using but if you need something cheap to run Linux a Raspbery Pi would likely be sufficient. They run Linux. You would want to check that there is a driver for your adapter of course. A Pi Zero W (WiFi) is only $10 had has a USB port. Full size Pis are $35. $10 isnt’ free but the savings in electricity might be worth it. You’d need a keyboard, mouse and HDMI to set up it initially. After that it can run headless (accessed via SSH).
I'll take a look at that. It would make life a lot simpler (not to mention the energy savings). I'm comfortable with Linux, I just hate setting up an old PC with it.
I'll probably also look into one with an Ethernet port, since I've wired everything with Cat 5 when it was built 25 years ago.
Thanks for the tip.
I'll probably also look into one with an Ethernet port, since I've wired everything with Cat 5 when it was built 25 years ago.
Thanks for the tip.
The $35 model has Ethernet as well. Not sure if I can post a working link here but Adafruit sells them: https://www.adafruit.com/product/3055
Even the former model2 of RPI has ethernet. It's cheaper - beceause there is no wifi and bluetooth onboard - but I don't know whether it's still available or not. Check here.
Probably it's out of production. (I can't get prices from Hungary)
Probably it's out of production. (I can't get prices from Hungary)
Tom - I'm almost positive that there is a build image for WeeWX for the Pi, or at the very least easy step by step instructions for install on Debian, the Pi's OS. I remember looking into it for this very reason and now that I have a spare Pi, I think I'm going to take a shot at installing it.
Yup there is and I just set mine up tonight and it took less then a hour to complete.
Well I guess I know what my next project is after updating HomeAssistant! L:OL
Thanks for confirming, Scott. Sounds encouraging.
Thanks for confirming, Scott. Sounds encouraging.
Worth the effort. I was using a shareware app to do this on a windows laptop and I had just heard about that app yesterday and decided to take a stab at it. Lots of skins and service addons for weeWX.
https://github.com/weewx/weewx/wiki
https://github.com/weewx/weewx/wiki
Has the NEW API docs been released yet for PWS members ?
It's earlier up the thread in one of Victoria's replies, but here it is again:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eKCnKXI9xnoMGRRzOL1xPCBihNV2rOet08qpE_gArAY/edit
I think these may be still in an early state though. I only gave them a casual look so far, but grateful to have something!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eKCnKXI9xnoMGRRzOL1xPCBihNV2rOet08qpE_gArAY/edit
I think these may be still in an early state though. I only gave them a casual look so far, but grateful to have something!
Better then nothing as I never got a email from them about any of this.....
I might just deny them access to my data from 2 weather stations if the API is funky
I might just deny them access to my data from 2 weather stations if the API is funky
As a client of WU moving to IBM Weather is absolutely baffling, WU was giving ALL information including hourly, forcast and current climate in a solitary API call, with IBM Weather you have to complete 3 calls to get similar information and this skyrockets the expense of the administration. How might you cease an administration without giving a substantial option? I have to get 10 days estimate, current climate and hourly climate in a solitary call to utilize the administration, how might I do that?
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Hi, Drak!
The new API doesn't allow for combining calls. So to get all three, you need to make three calls and then combine the data as you need for whatever your application is.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
The new API doesn't allow for combining calls. So to get all three, you need to make three calls and then combine the data as you need for whatever your application is.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
I'm curious to know why anyone is finding this massively problematic. If the API is free anyway (for PWS owners) what difference does it make if three calls are required rather than one?
Likely because WU is limiting the geographic scope of the API calls to ones where you actually supply the data.
Well I was going to stay with WU and supply weather data but seeing that I as a data supplier with 2 weather stations and I will have to make 3 API calls to get the same data I am getting now in 1 API call is simply f**kery.
On Dec. 31, 2018 I will stop all data. Worse business call I have seen in a long time.
I switched to weeWX and will supply my own data.
On Dec. 31, 2018 I will stop all data. Worse business call I have seen in a long time.
I switched to weeWX and will supply my own data.
(Edited)
This page still says "continue to work though 12/31/2018" but it also claims:
For developers who use WU API data for non-commercial purposes, you will
have access to a new plan for a personal use, low call volume API. Stay tuned for more details as we build this out.
When will this new non-commercial API be available?
For developers who use WU API data for non-commercial purposes, you will
have access to a new plan for a personal use, low call volume API. Stay tuned for more details as we build this out.
When will this new non-commercial API be available?
So will developers who do use the WU API for commercial purposes still have access to the API and its data for at least a few weeks to come, while IBM's sales side catches up?
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
I got another email today telling me my key quits in 3 days, and promising to update me (as a PWS owner, &/or a 'low use non commercial API user') ''shortly'' (or words to that effect).
Come on guys and gals, we are 72 hours from shutdown and things are still going to happen 'any minute now real soon, honest' .. this has been hanging around for MONTHS now, how come it still ain't sorted. Did anyone notice that the next 72 hours are mostly vacations anyway??!
Come on guys and gals, we are 72 hours from shutdown and things are still going to happen 'any minute now real soon, honest' .. this has been hanging around for MONTHS now, how come it still ain't sorted. Did anyone notice that the next 72 hours are mostly vacations anyway??!
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Hi, Dave!
Good news: I'm not on vacation. I have days when I feel like Hal from The Space Odyssey.
I assume the email is the same as the 3-month-old announcement on the Forum? The one at the top of this thread? Yes?
There are no updates expected this week, so far as I know.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Good news: I'm not on vacation. I have days when I feel like Hal from The Space Odyssey.
I assume the email is the same as the 3-month-old announcement on the Forum? The one at the top of this thread? Yes?
There are no updates expected this week, so far as I know.
- PWS owner/uploaders can still email me with station IDs and API keys and I will add them to my email list and make sure they continue to operate.
- Paid subscribers (or anyone who wants to be a paid subscriber) who are having trouble getting in touch with a sales rep can still contact me directly for help with that.
- Non-commercial, low-use key holders, I don't have any updates.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
I should add that if English is not your native language, please do not hesitate to email me in whatever language you want. If it's not one I know, I'll hit it with a translator, and we can work together to understand one another.
I am comfortable in French, Russian, Uzbek and Persian, and can work with Italian, German, Spanish and Arabic as well. No need to limit yourself to one language.
I am comfortable in French, Russian, Uzbek and Persian, and can work with Italian, German, Spanish and Arabic as well. No need to limit yourself to one language.
Off-topic
Congrats!
Your languages skills seem to be really impressive!
But I warn you to use translators from/to whatever language.
From and to Hungarian/English i.e. is still a mess. :(
No wonder: this languages are that different so I can't imagine a useful solution in the near future. (Except: AI makes a break-through)
On
Congrats!
Your languages skills seem to be really impressive!
But I warn you to use translators from/to whatever language.
From and to Hungarian/English i.e. is still a mess. :(
No wonder: this languages are that different so I can't imagine a useful solution in the near future. (Except: AI makes a break-through)
On
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Hungarian draws from an amazing mixture of languages! All that vocab and grammars coming together makes it difficult for translation programs.
--Victoria
--Victoria
I guess, grammar - and it's huge difference to other languages - makes this.
You would be surely surprised which amount of English vocabulary will be used in Hungarian day by day.
You would be surely surprised which amount of English vocabulary will be used in Hungarian day by day.
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
I would not be surprised. I have seen first-hand how much English is used in Uzbek day-to-day. It's everywhere! But that doesn't mean I can't be friendly to other languages as well.
Nagyon szépen köszönöm, Lázi!
Nagyon szépen köszönöm, Lázi!
As someone who just received a PWS for Christmas with the intent of hooking it into WU [something I have never done before], will this shutdown be an issue if I don't get around to setting it up until after the 31st?
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Hi, Vince! Congratulations!
No, this will have pretty much nothing at all to do with setting up your PWS. Have you found the instructions on the WU web site?
If you have trouble, please reach out!
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
No, this will have pretty much nothing at all to do with setting up your PWS. Have you found the instructions on the WU web site?
If you have trouble, please reach out!
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Well lets be transparent here on what this means. No Vince, you can always send data to WU. They want you to send them data. It's free to them and they want your free data so that they might sell it. What is being discussed here is getting data back out, and that... depending upon the circumstance will cost you. Read the End Of Service announcement fully and decide if this may impact you or not.
Exactly and for us data sharing our weather data to pull data is going to awkward on 2 fronts.
1. The data will take 3 API calls instead of the current 1.
2. The data we pull is only free for our data. I won't be able to pull data from my elderly parents location to be alerted of bad weather, I'll have to pay for that.
1. The data will take 3 API calls instead of the current 1.
2. The data we pull is only free for our data. I won't be able to pull data from my elderly parents location to be alerted of bad weather, I'll have to pay for that.
Oh and it will be up to me to combine those 3 API calls data into one file.
The only people making a buck here is IBM.
The only people making a buck here is IBM.
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Change is hard. But you're running ahead of the facts, Scott. I'm sorry I cannot publicly expand beyond that, but the range of data and the amount of data we're going to allow for in the new API is sufficient for the vast majority of PWS owner/uploaders. I have looked at stats from literally thousands of keys, and I want to reassure PWS owner/uploaders that the change is unlikely to have any significant effect, beyond needed to recode the call(s) for the vast majority.
Many many users never call 3 things. Many PWS owners don't even use the API. For any PWS owners out there who are still concerned, drop me an email, and let me look at your data use, and provide some personalized responses. I don't spend a lot of time with one-size-fits all answers here because users are so brilliantly diverse.
I put my personal email address on this Forum because I'm trying to be as accessible as I can be. I appreciate the many people who make use of it.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Many many users never call 3 things. Many PWS owners don't even use the API. For any PWS owners out there who are still concerned, drop me an email, and let me look at your data use, and provide some personalized responses. I don't spend a lot of time with one-size-fits all answers here because users are so brilliantly diverse.
I put my personal email address on this Forum because I'm trying to be as accessible as I can be. I appreciate the many people who make use of it.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Victoria I think it is you, well not you exactly, but the IBM coders/developers that is flat out lying and you are spreading that lie.
Let's go through the current API.....
1) I get a API key to share the weather data from a product I spent hundreds for and have to maintain
2) In return WU was so happy they gave us API users free access to any data we needed in 1 API call....... that was awesome and a fair exchange
3) Greedy IBM/TWC buys WU and dismantles item 2 above.
Not only do we still have item 1 above but now IBM/TWC has done the following to screw us...
1) Yes we still get free data but it is limited to the data we provide
2) To get that data we have to make 3 API calls to get the same data from the WU API key
3) Those 3 API calls are counted as 3 separate calls against our allotted NEW mysterious allowance
4) Every app that used WU for weather is now screwed and there are over 2 dozen app's and sites that will A) deal with it or B) forget using IBM/TWC API.
So who is getting the shaft here ? US, WE are.
And another point to make I shared data from 2 stations and I recently bought a Ambient Weather Station for another location. So because of this lame greedy change in the way the API works for the future guess who WON'T get my free data from 3 stations that I paid hundreds for ?
This is utterly wrong.... it punishes US that provide FREE data tgo YOU. And we DON'T make WU get our data from 3 API calls from US.
That's the fact jack.... now pass that on to your bosses and see if this hammers it in.
Let's go through the current API.....
1) I get a API key to share the weather data from a product I spent hundreds for and have to maintain
2) In return WU was so happy they gave us API users free access to any data we needed in 1 API call....... that was awesome and a fair exchange
3) Greedy IBM/TWC buys WU and dismantles item 2 above.
Not only do we still have item 1 above but now IBM/TWC has done the following to screw us...
1) Yes we still get free data but it is limited to the data we provide
2) To get that data we have to make 3 API calls to get the same data from the WU API key
3) Those 3 API calls are counted as 3 separate calls against our allotted NEW mysterious allowance
4) Every app that used WU for weather is now screwed and there are over 2 dozen app's and sites that will A) deal with it or B) forget using IBM/TWC API.
So who is getting the shaft here ? US, WE are.
And another point to make I shared data from 2 stations and I recently bought a Ambient Weather Station for another location. So because of this lame greedy change in the way the API works for the future guess who WON'T get my free data from 3 stations that I paid hundreds for ?
This is utterly wrong.... it punishes US that provide FREE data tgo YOU. And we DON'T make WU get our data from 3 API calls from US.
That's the fact jack.... now pass that on to your bosses and see if this hammers it in.
(Edited)
Hi Scott.
I will comment this again because it's worth stating.
The fact is they don't care about the smaller users who have apps and make API calls. I think they actually wish the small users would go away. All that support ? why would they want that ? No way they admit that however. But I believe it.
There are hundreds of thousands of people who have weather stations that don't do any programming and just freely and blindly upload their data for no other reason than to just join the community. IBM knows this very well, those people are their bread and butter, no matter how bad they screw everyone those people will still be sending their data.
Those people won't even know a change happened. They don't have apps and they don't follow the bulletin boards or even know anything about this. This undoubtable makes IBM very, very happy. They have a blind following that will not change or stop uploading their data. So, loosing a few hundreds or less will make no difference to them at all.
I will comment this again because it's worth stating.
The fact is they don't care about the smaller users who have apps and make API calls. I think they actually wish the small users would go away. All that support ? why would they want that ? No way they admit that however. But I believe it.
There are hundreds of thousands of people who have weather stations that don't do any programming and just freely and blindly upload their data for no other reason than to just join the community. IBM knows this very well, those people are their bread and butter, no matter how bad they screw everyone those people will still be sending their data.
Those people won't even know a change happened. They don't have apps and they don't follow the bulletin boards or even know anything about this. This undoubtable makes IBM very, very happy. They have a blind following that will not change or stop uploading their data. So, loosing a few hundreds or less will make no difference to them at all.
They struck a deal with Acurite at some point that basically points all those $50-250 PWS's to WU.
That is the reason why they're so reluctant to release a spec. Nobody who is serious about big data hides their interface spec.
That is the reason why they're so reluctant to release a spec. Nobody who is serious about big data hides their interface spec.
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Okay, so you're pointing an accusing finger at IBM for having a business plan that you can only guess at? Perhaps the accusing finger ought to go back to whoever it was that sold WU back in the day to The Weather Company. That was the end of WU as you knew it. IBM had nothing to do with that. And complaining about it now does nothing at all.
The current API is being deprecated because it no longer works well. This requires changes. All change is hard. I'm sorry that you're taking the change so hard, but there's little I can do about that.
Victoria
The current API is being deprecated because it no longer works well. This requires changes. All change is hard. I'm sorry that you're taking the change so hard, but there's little I can do about that.
Victoria
The fact is that there are plenty of excellent alternatives to WU that are free. Ill publish a list when i teturn from vacation.
weeMX is one app that can be used to pull your station data and put on your own website what I did see http://www.nettletondistrict.com/Nettleton/
(Edited)
Is there any information available yet for the new API? If not, is there an estimate when it will be available?
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
I know I have said this many times before, but I expect a new announcement soon.
If you have specific needs, please feel free to contact me directly.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
If you have specific needs, please feel free to contact me directly.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
IBM/TWC is not going to change the way we send our data to them for FREE, why would they ? To many weather stations have that coded into the firmware which usually can't be updated and the GREEDY IBM/TWC knows this....
They are going to make the $$$ at is the new 3 API call that will make them tons of cash.
Screw that...
They are going to make the $$$ at is the new 3 API call that will make them tons of cash.
Screw that...
(Edited)
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Scott, you keep harping on this, but we're not asking for any money from PWS owners, so how in the world would this "make money"? Data limits for PWS owners will be increased.
I'm sorry that you're so unhappy, but it seems odd to me that you're spending so much time putting so many responses in this Forum attacking something you haven't seen. Your vindictiveness is rather counter-productive for everyone. Might you not find some other pass-time?
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
I'm sorry that you're so unhappy, but it seems odd to me that you're spending so much time putting so many responses in this Forum attacking something you haven't seen. Your vindictiveness is rather counter-productive for everyone. Might you not find some other pass-time?
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Isn't it rather dumb to end the current service before everyone has had a good chance to play with the replacement? Normally you run both in parallel for several months or more. Maybe they are, and I missed the new one so far?
For PWS owners that is exactly the case. The old API will still be working and it seems like next week there will finally be an official announcement about the new API. The documentation of the new API has been public for a while, so we kind of know what to expect from it.
So is the new API up and running for a couple of months now? The old one goes away for most folks in 2 days time.
The new API as far as I know is NOT up.
The documentation of the new API has been public for a while, so we kind of know what to expect from it.It's been up but no way to test it as there has been no way to get the new key. It's been a mystery for so many.
I turned off all of my data sharing to WU/TWC tonight so I really don't care anymore.
Yes, normal software upgrades have the new interface available before the old one is discontinued. There is still no information about the new API other than the comment "Stay tuned for more details".
Since the old API supposedly ends tomorrow and there is no replacement yet, it seems rather obvious wunderground doesn't want to support anything anymore. People are more than welcome to contribute their PWS data but there will be no way for anyone to access it.
Since the old API supposedly ends tomorrow and there is no replacement yet, it seems rather obvious wunderground doesn't want to support anything anymore. People are more than welcome to contribute their PWS data but there will be no way for anyone to access it.
the current api is not ending just yet as far as I can tell
it looks like it will still be working for a few more weeks yet
it looks like it will still be working for a few more weeks yet
Perhaps they just want to kill off all rhe aps using it...........
All my stations have stopped sharing data to WU/TWC/IBM as of today. I also removed WU all Android apps.
I sincerely hope others here will follow and get others to stop their sharing.
Good luck and bye bye asshat IBM
I sincerely hope others here will follow and get others to stop their sharing.
Good luck and bye bye asshat IBM
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Bye, Scott. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Victoria Gardner
victoria.gardner@ibm.com
Yep, Victoria has been helpful, in the face of some pretty unpleasant postings. If I was moderating this forum, a few folks would be taking a posting holiday by now.
However I can't ignore how dumb IBM have been ( and I used to spend several $m with them here in the uk, when mainframes ruled the earth). You don't do 'turn it off' over the xmas and new year break, you don't do 'turn it off' until the replacement is running like a hose, and you don't go on saying 'watch this space' month after month when the space remains vacant.
However I can't ignore how dumb IBM have been ( and I used to spend several $m with them here in the uk, when mainframes ruled the earth). You don't do 'turn it off' over the xmas and new year break, you don't do 'turn it off' until the replacement is running like a hose, and you don't go on saying 'watch this space' month after month when the space remains vacant.
Victoria Gardner, Official Rep
Thanks, Dave.
The API is not going to be turned off this week.
--Victoria
The API is not going to be turned off this week.
--Victoria