rdale
EF5
That kind of hurts the credibility of the network, if NWS offices are calling for clarification on a TOR sighting and get an interntionally wrong number.
Live Cam+Spotter Network+Media=?
- Thread starter Mike Peregrine
- Start date
Mike Hollingshead
But it'd be funny for the media. I personally think folks are nuts putting their phone number on there. Sounds like an unworthwhile headache to me.
David Drummond
Member
I've had my number on there from the start. I have not received all that many calls from it, a few from NWS offices, a few from media wanting reports (which I personally think is great because live on TV is one of the BEST ways to get what your seeing directly to those that need to hear it, but I digress), and a couple that were just weird. One was from some truck driver who has GRL3 and was wanting me to help him set it up, and really called at the worst possible time as I was near a hook and appeared to be a tornado about to form. Another was from someone who said they were a chaser and wanted to tell me chasing stories, which oddly resembled scenes from Twister. Had a couple of other calls from nearby chasers that were on the map as well wanting to meet up or something.
Overall I really haven't had much problem with it other than those couple of calls.
Overall I really haven't had much problem with it other than those couple of calls.
Tyler Allison
EF5
I had my first personal case of contact info abuse today while out chasing. I'm navigating my family between two storms to try and reposition (we went storm spotting as a family outing on a non-tornadic storm, so don't get all wierdo on me).
A new customer of AllisonHouse calls my cellphone, after seeing it on SN, and asked where his password was from the subscription he submitted an hour ago (note the thank you page after you subscribe says it could take 24hours to activate). Now granted he immediately realized what he had done and apologized, but that's not the point. It's just so darn hard to ignore when the number is right in front of you.
What's the opinion of folks on simply removing the phone contact information all together and only making it available to NWS, "cleared" EMA folks and pre-authorized media contacts? Or put the other way...does the 'viewable by the general public' option have any benefit?
-Tyler
A new customer of AllisonHouse calls my cellphone, after seeing it on SN, and asked where his password was from the subscription he submitted an hour ago (note the thank you page after you subscribe says it could take 24hours to activate). Now granted he immediately realized what he had done and apologized, but that's not the point. It's just so darn hard to ignore when the number is right in front of you.
What's the opinion of folks on simply removing the phone contact information all together and only making it available to NWS, "cleared" EMA folks and pre-authorized media contacts? Or put the other way...does the 'viewable by the general public' option have any benefit?
-Tyler
Kory Hartman
EF2
I've had nothing but good contacts happen because my number is on SN. I welcome the media to call if I'm in the area.
If I am in hot persuit, I probably want to get the word out to the public. If it's after the fact and they are looking for video, I'm probably done and heading to the motel anyway.
If not, or if i don't want to share my video, or have already made other arrangements, I can tell them to get lost.
My vote is keep the number, add a note after if you want calls from NWS only
If I am in hot persuit, I probably want to get the word out to the public. If it's after the fact and they are looking for video, I'm probably done and heading to the motel anyway.
If not, or if i don't want to share my video, or have already made other arrangements, I can tell them to get lost.
My vote is keep the number, add a note after if you want calls from NWS only
scott r currens
EF3
Can you make it viewable by only NWS/EMA and people on your watch list?
One thing that has bugged me, (It a free service so I souldn't complain!) are the popups telling me to check the server everytime someone wants to be on my watch list. It always happens when I am in the middle of a chase. No offence to anyone that has made a request but I have no interest in dealing with that while I am chasing. I just reject everyone without exception.
rdale
EF5
Perfect... I can't see a reason that the general public should have personal phone numbers.
Andy Rice
EF1
Tyler,
Maybe the user could have multiple options to input a field for the contact info.... perhaps a variable for the following
Contact for the Public
Contact for the Media
Contact for SpotterNetwork.org members
Contact for the NWS
The user could put a phone, an email, both, or nothing for each of the fields, so they could specify their own level of privacy.
Then you could have different password protected data files for each permission level.
My 2 cents.
Andy
Maybe the user could have multiple options to input a field for the contact info.... perhaps a variable for the following
Contact for the Public
Contact for the Media
Contact for SpotterNetwork.org members
Contact for the NWS
The user could put a phone, an email, both, or nothing for each of the fields, so they could specify their own level of privacy.
Then you could have different password protected data files for each permission level.
My 2 cents.
Andy
Michael Ratliff
EF1
I welcome anybody to call me ! If I put my number out there call me . If you dont want calls dont put your number, put an email address that way media or whom ever is not bothering your chase ! NWS, called on my ks chase thurs. for info on storm and SN served its true purpose. But if media or joe blow was to call me, Tyler I am perfectly fine with that. Thank you for your software.
Tyler Allison
EF5
Yes
I'll be fixing that as well. There is a new version of the client out (2.1) that folks should be running when they get a chance. But I'm going to make the pop-up functionality optional in the near future.
-Tyler
Tyler Allison
EF5
I like that idea. I'm going to redo the various configuration/contact pages on the SN to try and resolve this.
I really appreciate everyone's feedback.
Mike Peregrine
EF5
Thanks Tyler! ... This is such an awesome product ... it really is one of the coolest things to hit chasing in years.
Tyler Allison
EF5
New contact system has been implemented over at the SN. Please login to your account and update your contact info.
Dennis Sherrod
EF5
Thank you Tyler. I appreciate your work and site.
