displaying alphanumeric data and is not used in
MIDDS. SAND gives the user the ability to manipulate
and display these products in several ways. The
operator selects from various menu boxes and bars
using the Windows format. Additional menu options
allow the user to pan/zoom and rotate images, add
weather symbols to displays, loop images, and
automatically display range-bearing information.
Customized color enhancements can also be created.
The SAND application also executes automatic station
plots, contour plots, Skew-T plots, and even time-series
plots (fig. 1-9).
FOS (FAMILY OF SERVICES).—The Family
of Services (FOS) is the applications module used to
display and manipulate alphanumeric data. Forecasters
need TAFs, station observations, and general text
messages to successfully provide quality forecasts. The
type, age, amount, and location of the data can be
tailored for the needs of each forecaster.
MIDDS can display information by using three
different formats: areas (a geographical area, such as
Nevada), routes (two weather stations connected by a
line), and groups (a random group of stations). As with
the SAND application, the operator selects from various
menu boxes and bars using the Windows format.
Individual stations can be sorted by either station ID or
name. Once the desired station is selected, the required
products for that station are then selected. The data can
be viewed, edited, printed, or archived.
Briefing Support
MIDDS contains a briefing support program
designated as "Weather Brief." It provides the
capability to create an environmental brief composed of
satellite, radar, alphanumeric products, or other user-
defined products from MIDDS application programs.
Two different types of briefs can be created, dynamic or
static. In a "dynamic" brief, products in the brief are
automatically updated when new ones are ingested into
Figure 1-9.—MIDDS time-series plot.
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