Better Weather software offers improved weather information display through several scripts that utilize standard Linux and KDE tools.
The localwx.sh script is used to access the current weather and forecast from the US national weather service. The script downloads this data and stores it temporarily in a text file located in the desktop directory. It then executes the kdialog box, which reads the information from the text file. Once the user clicks the “ok” button, the temporary file is deleted.
On the other hand, the wxmap.sh script downloads a weather map image and stores it temporarily on the desktop. It then uses Kview to display the image. When Kview closes, the temporary image file is deleted.
The tool requires some adjustments to suit the user's location, and these adjustments can be made by editing the weather script. The user will need to use the code for their nearest airport to obtain weather data for their location. The rest of the process is self-explanatory. Users can easily add the script to their system by making the files executable using chmod +x filename, copying them to /usr/local/bin and creating a launcher for each of them on their main menubar.
Overall, Better Weather is an excellent solution for those seeking a more comprehensive weather display tool. The tool is US-centric, but the idea and tools can be extended to work for other locations. The release of Better Weather also includes desktop files and instructions for KDE4, making it even more accessible to users.
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