Dr. Jack and BLIPmaps

Recently I decided to start becoming proficient in the use of Dr.
Jack's BLIPmaps but read on his site (quote) "the bottom line is
probable termination of this website a year from now." So that took
the wind out of my sails. How are those of you who understand the
BLIPMAP system planning on coping with this?

Brian

On Oct 20, 9:45*pm, brianDG303 wrote:
Recently I decided to start becoming proficient in the use of Dr.
Jack's BLIPmaps but read on his site (quote) "the bottom line is
probable termination of this website a year from now." So that took
the wind out of my sails. How are those of you who understand the
BLIPMAP system planning on coping with this?

Brian

I will miss Dr. Jack just as I miss Pez (John come back and create
some new ones). Dr Jack moved us forward light years in the ability
to forecast soaring conditions and for general ease of use to quickly
determine what the day should be like.

I will likely migrate to:

http://xcskies.com/

I have preferred Dr. Jack for ease of use for soaring pilots with the
Univiewer but will learn to use the XCSkies pages again.

It would probably be simpler and less expensive if we just all pitched
in and repaired his sailplane!

lanebush wrote:
It would probably be simpler and less expensive if we just all pitched
in and repaired his sailplane!
OK - I'll bite - what is wrong with it...

Support XCSkies - it's developed and operated by a bunch of young
enthusiasts and has many better features than Blipmaps.

Dr. Jack did some great pioneering work but has turned into a grumpy
old curmudgeon - let him go!

Mike

Mike the Strike wrote:
Support XCSkies - it's developed and operated by a bunch of young
enthusiasts and has many better features than Blipmaps.

Dr. Jack did some great pioneering work but has turned into a grumpy
old curmudgeon - let him go!

Mike

Well - I have been trying for two weeks to get an activation reply out
of XCSkies. Would love to support them , but you have to get a response.

I emailed them direct today. Let's see...

Mike the Strike wrote:
Support XCSkies - it's developed and operated by a bunch of young
enthusiasts and has many better features than Blipmaps.

I fly in the NW area, and I have to disagree very strongly on this. I've
subscribed to XCSkies since it began, and despite it's very flexible
presentation and interesting features, it's primary function
(forecasts!) are not as good as the Blipmaps. The NAM is adequate, but
still not as good as the Blipmap RUC for the day's forecast.

But it's not just the better forecast: while I was initially quite taken
with the Google map presentation of XCSkies, I've found it's easier and
quicker to switch back and forth between parameters with DrJack's
"stodgy" old images, instead of waiting for everything to load again
when I switch views in XCSkies Google maps.

The "better features" are interesting, and might someday be useful, but
as long as they use the GFS model, they are worthless in my area. I
tried to make them work - couldn't do it. The GFS model is just too
optimistic to be of any value.


Dr. Jack did some great pioneering work but has turned into a grumpy
old curmudgeon - let him go!

I never want to let a soaring pilot go, especially one that has
contributed so much, and continues to contribute. He is still improving
the Blipmaps, lately introducing a new viewer with geography and
topographic options, and custom forecast areas. Responding to my request
last month, he's improved the Cu cloudbase (potential 0) map to help
estimate likely deviations from the forecast.

I think soaring forecasting will progress faster with BOTH DrJack and
XCSkies in operation, so I'm not ready to let go of anyone!

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

On Oct 21, 9:22*am, Eric Greenwell wrote:
Mike the Strike wrote:
Support XCSkies - it's developed and operated by a bunch of young
enthusiasts and has many better features than Blipmaps.

I fly in the NW area, and I have to disagree very strongly on this. I've
subscribed to XCSkies since it began, and despite it's very flexible
presentation and interesting features, it's primary function
(forecasts!) are not as good as the Blipmaps. The NAM is adequate, but
still not as good as the Blipmap RUC for the day's forecast.

But it's not just the better forecast: while I was initially quite taken
with the Google map presentation of XCSkies, I've found it's easier and
quicker to switch back and forth between parameters with DrJack's
"stodgy" old images, instead of waiting for everything to load again
when I switch views in XCSkies Google maps.

The "better features" are interesting, and might someday be useful, but
as long as they use the GFS model, they are worthless in my area. I
tried to make them work - couldn't do it. The GFS model is just too
optimistic to be of any value.



Dr. Jack did some great pioneering work but has turned into a grumpy
old curmudgeon - let him go!

I never want to let a soaring pilot go, especially one that has
contributed so much, and continues to contribute. He is still improving
the Blipmaps, lately introducing a new viewer with geography and
topographic options, and custom forecast areas. Responding to my request
last month, he's improved the Cu cloudbase (potential 0) map to help
estimate likely deviations from the forecast.

I think soaring forecasting will progress faster with BOTH DrJack and
XCSkies in operation, so I'm not ready to let go of anyone!

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly



But I think he going to let go of you...................

On Oct 21, 9:22*am, Eric Greenwell wrote:
Mike the Strike wrote:
Support XCSkies - it's developed and operated by a bunch of young
enthusiasts and has many better features than Blipmaps.

I fly in the NW area, and I have to disagree very strongly on this. I've
subscribed to XCSkies since it began, and despite it's very flexible
presentation and interesting features, it's primary function
(forecasts!) are not as good as the Blipmaps. The NAM is adequate, but
still not as good as the Blipmap RUC for the day's forecast.

But it's not just the better forecast: while I was initially quite taken
with the Google map presentation of XCSkies, I've found it's easier and
quicker to switch back and forth between parameters with DrJack's
"stodgy" old images, instead of waiting for everything to load again
when I switch views in XCSkies Google maps.

The "better features" are interesting, and might someday be useful, but
as long as they use the GFS model, they are worthless in my area. I
tried to make them work - couldn't do it. The GFS model is just too
optimistic to be of any value.



Dr. Jack did some great pioneering work but has turned into a grumpy
old curmudgeon - let him go!

I never want to let a soaring pilot go, especially one that has
contributed so much, and continues to contribute. He is still improving
the Blipmaps, lately introducing a new viewer with geography and
topographic options, and custom forecast areas. Responding to my request
last month, he's improved the Cu cloudbase (potential 0) map to help
estimate likely deviations from the forecast.

I think soaring forecasting will progress faster with BOTH DrJack and
XCSkies in operation, so I'm not ready to let go of anyone!

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

So, how do we encourage him to continue?

AFAIK XCSkies uses exactly the same data set Dr. Jack does and you can
choose the model. I rely mostly on the NAM and RUC but find the GFS
has its value too. I agree that it takes longer to load, but this is
generally not an issue.

We all owe a debt to Dr. Jack for pioneering this area and making it
available to soaring pilots. However, once he started charging for
access and it became a service, he needed to become responsive to his
customers, something he's not been so good at. Since his support and
commitment has been spotty for the past few years, I've decided to
rely on a service that has so far been better supported.

If you folks really think it's needed, it might be nice if some
younger folk took the project over from Dr. Jack as he retires.

Mike