sWeather - Portable Weather Tracker for Windows
The Appeal of Accessible Weather Information
Over the last few years, a primary step when setting up a new browser has consistently been the installation of an extension capable of displaying local weather data. Following the discontinuation of services like iGoogle, a convenient method for rapidly assessing upcoming weather conditions became essential.
Both Firefox and Chrome offer a substantial selection of excellent extensions designed for this purpose, making the choice straightforward.
Why System Tray Integration is Ideal
Given the significance and frequent use of weather information, relying solely on the browser feels limiting. A superior solution involves the ability to monitor weather conditions directly from the Windows system tray.
The convenience of system tray applications is highly valued, and the portability of software adds another layer of appeal.
Introducing sWeather: A Portable Solution
sWeather is a remarkable weather tracking application that fulfills both of these requirements. It operates as a portable application, meaning no installation is needed.
Furthermore, sWeather seamlessly integrates with the Windows system tray, providing constant, at-a-glance weather updates.
Key Features of sWeather
- Portability: sWeather doesn't require a traditional installation process.
- System Tray Docking: It resides in the system tray for easy access.
- Real-time Updates: Provides current weather conditions.
For users who prioritize convenience and accessibility, sWeather presents an effective and unobtrusive way to stay informed about the weather.
It offers a streamlined experience, eliminating the need to open a browser or navigate to a website to check the forecast.
sWeather
Utilizing sWeather is remarkably straightforward, requiring only extraction of the application files to a directory of your preference. Like all portable applications, storing it within your Dropbox folder or on a USB flash drive is highly recommended. Initially, sWeather consumes approximately 9,500 K of memory and is compatible with all Windows versions, including and subsequent to XP.
When the application is launched, the breadth of its features becomes immediately apparent. It is pre-configured with a default location, enabling instant access to relevant weather data. Notably, the application resides in your system tray, with the weather icon dynamically reflecting current conditions – a feature particularly appreciated.
A quick summary of the prevailing conditions is displayed upon hovering over the tray icon. The weather information is sourced from Yahoo!, and clicking the icon or the forecast link will open a Yahoo! Weather page directly in your web browser.
Now, let's examine the process of adding a supplementary location for sWeather to monitor.
- Select Configure from the Options menu to access a new settings window.
- Within the WOEID Lookup field, input your state, county, ZIP code, or any identifier for your desired location. The application will reliably locate your area. Double-clicking the correct entry will add it to the list of WOEIDs, allowing for further customization of options.
- To simultaneously monitor multiple locations, activate the Show expanded view option, found within the Options menu.
- This feature provides a comprehensive visualization of data from all tracked locations. An additional intriguing option is the Change the weather!? setting, also located under the Options menu.
This allows for modification of the displayed weather, and also enables selection from three distinct icon themes. Each theme offers a visually appealing aesthetic.
sWeather delivers a user experience that differentiates it from many other weather applications. Share your thoughts on this application in the comments section below.
