README

INTRO

This is a project to define a standard for snow reports or ski conditions
data, and build some supporting applications and materials.  


DESCRIPTION 

Every ski resort has a conditions page, and they all have the same data on
them, but each one has it's own unique HTML markup that is not easy for
developers to use.  The resorts want this data out there, but they don't
have it in a developer-friendly format.
  
RSS seems like an obvious choice for publishing periodically updated data on
the web.  There are lots of good tools for working with RSS in various
languages, and most developers have worked with it before.  But it turns out
to be an uncomfortable fit of shoe-horning runs, lifts and weather into a
format designed for articles.

Fortunately, included in the RSS v2 spec was a way to extend it to include
data beyond the basic format.  BlogChannel from the RSS inventor, iTunes
podcasts through Apple, Yahoo's popular media extensions, Digg's (defunct?)
feed, and many, others have taken advantage of name spaces to extend RSS. 

On this project we will define an RSS v2 extension/namespace to accomodate
ski resort snow reports data.  


TODO

In the short time we have, I would like to accomplish as many of the
following as possible:

  Define the namespace - Could use help from anyone with XML or
    standards-writing experience, or any extra eyes really.
    DONE

  Create sample RSS documents - Create a couple example resorts and phony
    RSS documents for their conditions.  
	DONE

  Write documentation of each tag - Anyone could help with the
	DONE

  Create a Logo or Badge in the style of the RSS button, so resorts can tag
    their conditions pages
	DONE

  Create an xmlns page - Just some HTML with the documentation, example and
    logo.
	DONE

  Create a PHP class for resorts to use to help publish their conditions.  

  Create example apps to consume the conditions feeds, such as:

    - A conditions aggregator web site
    - A conditions phone app
    - A snow report, weather, road conditions mashup
    - Fresh powder alerts by SMS

Coders, web/graphic designers, writers, etc welcome to help.