Weather Webcasts for the Caribbean

by Eddie Tuttle, Cruisers Newwork Online on 11 Oct 2010 In the Caribbean or thinking of sailing there?

Here's some great news on how you can get the scoop on what's going on for sailors right across the popular cruising ground.

Chris Parker (the almost legendary weather adviser for the area) and his SSB nets can now be monitored through a webcast facility on the internet.

Below is the scoop on how to do that, provided by http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cruisers_Network_Online/join!Cruisers_Network_Online. The service is free until January 2011, but after that Chris may insist that you have to join the Net to keep listening.

Chris gives out this information:

NEW WEBCASTING of SSB Nets:
--We're trying 'Webcasting' of morning SSB Voice Nets, on a test basis.
--Why? To improve our client experience. Many clients at times are either off-the-boat, or in a location where they have trouble hearing us on the SSB Nets (high-noise, urban areas or marinas) - and during these times, you're more likely to have a robust Internet connection to support a good Webcast experience.
--Webcast will run during each SSB Net from 6:30am-9:45am daily, except Sundays.
--To join the Webcast, simply go to the following address in ANY Web browser (InternetExplorer, Firefox, Safari, etc.) on ANY operating system (Windows, MacOS, Ubuntu, etc), at ANY time from 6:30am-9:45am:
https://my.dimdim.com/caribwx/
--Enter your email address, then whatever screen name you want during this Webcast.
--You then automatically enter the Webcast.
--Within the DimDim Webcast window, you'll see 4 'panes':
Upper-Left: list of current participants
Lower-Left: web-cam shot of my ugly early-morning face
Middle of screen: live image of whatever I'm looking at on my desktop (you see what I'm looking at)
Right: chat box
--If you do not see video or hear audio, we may be inbetween SSB Nets...just wait for the next Net to start.
--I will conduct Nets as usual, starting with a 5-10 minute Synopsis, then a dialogue with Sponsoring Vessels on the SSB Nets. You should be able to hear me, but not the vessels. I will always try to 'repeat the question' so everyone knows what my answer pertains to.
--AT THE END of each SSB Net, I will take questions from Webcast participants. Type your question into the BOTTOM of the 'chat' box, then hit 'enter'. I will see your question, and answer it live on the Webcast & SSB Net.
--During this test phase, Webcasts will be open to anyone, but initially limited to 50 simultaneous participants.
--We can make Webcasts open to as many simultaneous participants as necessary...if you have trouble getting on, please let me know, and we'll increase access.
--In the future, we may make Webcasts available only to paid Sponsoring Vessels, and we may even offer 'pay-by-the-Webcast' for 'Guests'.
--Also, initially, you will only be able to 'see' 1 of my 2 computer screens. We may open access to the second screen at some time.
--Finally, we'd like your Feedback on the Webcast experience. Note that Feedback you provide under 'Tools / Feedback', only goes to DimDim. To send feedback to us, please email us at weather@caribwx.com or chris@mwxc.com
Thank you for your continuing support!...Chris.
--
Chris Parker
Weather & Communications - Hardware, Software, Sales, Consulting, Books, Seminars
President, Marine Weather & Communications LLC, www.mwxc.com
Weather Forecasting & Vessel Routing
Chief Forecaster, Caribbean Weather Center Ltd, www.caribwx.com
5130 Medulla Rd
Lakeland FL 33811
ph 863-248-2702
fax 863-248-4666