Local
Risk Assessment
WX-SIM Add-On
Version 1.06 - FINAL
Jordan Gerth
April 8, 2007
About
The scripts provided in this package allow a web server to render a
hazards table, based on configurable criteria, with relevant images and
key information extracted from a parsed plain text forecast generated
from WX-SIM and
uploaded to a web server. Graphics are included that were
developed by a third-party not affiliated with the author and are in
the public domain. Webmasters may opt to use a different set
of graphics. Table colors can also be customized at the
discretion of the webmaster.
Version 1.05 is the first final release. Any release after
1.05 is an upgrade. Prior releases were for testing purposes.
Please upgrade to 1.06 and make sure the requirements are
satisfied before requesting support. Version 1.06 fixes a
bug that prevented significant rain to be shown as a risk.
Requirements
A web server with PHP 4.0 or greater installed and 100 kB of
disk space available.
Files
You should
read this
page entirely before you download.
scripts.zip
(wsrsk.php and rskcfg.php;
these components are required, also these
instructions)
imgpack.zip
(required, unless you already have a set of images named in an
identical fashion)
Potential replacement image:
windy.png
Instructions
Obtain both packages and extract the files within them. Open
rskcfg.php with your favorite text editor (WordPad is fine) and adjust
the configuration variables to your preference. A description
of each variable exists in rskcfg.php. Take special care
entering the server location. The scripts will fail if the
forecast text file does exist or are not readable. This will
be
apparent when you attempt to access your forecast page. Upload the image files to the directory you
defined in the configuration.
Upload wsrsk.php and rskcfg.php to
the same directory as the PHP file which will call/use them.
In that file, you should type '<?php require("wsrsk.php"); ?>'
in the location where you wish the hazards table to appear
(not at the top of the page).
An example
of a PHP file displaying a threats assessment from a sample WX-SIM
forecast is available.
Problems?
Try example.php on your web server: download example.zip,
which also contains a sample plaintext.txt file.
This project has not been coordinated with the developer of WX-SIM.
Changes to the format of the plaintext.txt file are likely to
render these scripts useless.
Price
These scripts are offered free of charge provided credit is given and
you inform Jordan Gerth (via the support e-mail) of the site on which
the scripts are used. However, if you
find the scripts useful, you are asked to make a small donation (USD
$10.00 to $20.00) to the
author (to pay for a good meal or two). Please use PayPal
through
the secure link below. Thank you!
Note: This is a separate development from the Online
Forecast Display.
Support
Jordan Gerth can be contacted best via e-mail
(remove '_NOSPAM_'),
and a reasonable attempt will be made to reply. However,
technical support and maintenance of this package should not be
expected due to the author's busy schedule. When time allows,
priority will be given to those who have supported the author, but
donations should not be made to induce support. Support of
the WX-SIM
program and upload utility is not offered.
Author
Jordan Gerth is a junior undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin
at Madison,
majoring in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. He is employed
by the University's Space Science and Engineering Center to develop a
research installment of the Advanced Weather Information Processing
System (AWIPS), which is in use by the National Weather Service.
These scripts were developed on private time.
The
following link must appear on any web page using any form or version of
the scripts offered here:
This table has been made possible using scripts
written by Jordan Gerth. Obtain these
scripts for your web site.
This
table has been made possible using scripts written by Jordan
Gerth.
Obtain <a href="http://www.wiscwx.com/jordan/wsrsk/index.html">these
scripts</a>
for your web site.
This
credit may only be removed after a donation of no less than USD $15.00
through the link above.
USING THESE SCRIPTS
WITHOUT CREDIT OR PAYMENT IS A SERIOUS CRIME!
These scripts should not be part of any distribution sold for
profit without the expressed written consent of Jordan Gerth.
Distribution between third parties is permitted without
monetary exchange, as long as the scripts are in their original form
without credit removed. If any instances of these scripts are
found to be in violation of the above agreement, which you consent to
upon download, the administrative contact of the domain on which they
appear will be liable for no less than USD $5,000.00 in damages, plus
profits and attorney fees.
Disclaimer and Exclusion
of Liability
Jordan Gerth, in no event or situation, will be liable for direct,
indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from
the use of these scripts, including an improper rendering of the
forecast file. Webmasters should use these scripts at their
own risk, and are encouraged to review them prior to installation.
Some states do not allow for the exclusion or limitation of
implied warranties or liability for incidental or consequential
damages, so the above exclusion or limitation may not apply to
you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you
may have other rights which vary from state to state.