# Permanently set options such as metric units for W|A queries

Mathematica lets me be so lazy that I don't even have to switch to a browser to check the weather report:

The only problem is that it will automatically display the temperature and wind speed in Fahrenheit and miles per hour. Unfortunately I don't speak Fahrenheit and I'd like to see it in Celsius. When using W|A online, it is possible to create a user account and set W|A to metric permanently.

Is it possible to set preferences such as this one permanently (at least for the duration of a session) when using W|A from within Mathematica?

-
I know I can use == or click that little + and then use the Show Metric button. The question is about setting the default though. For example it is possible to log in to my W|A account from within Mathematica and let it use my personal preferences? – Szabolcs Mar 24 '14 at 14:46
have you tried SetOptions[WolframAlpha, PodStates -> {"Show metric"}]. I can't really test as it shows stuff in metric units for me by default. Would be interesting to know what it is that determines the default... – Albert Retey Mar 24 '14 at 15:55
@AlbertRetey This is the solution, can you post it as an answer? AFAIK default is determined by location (IP address?) – Szabolcs Mar 24 '14 at 16:00
just did that. As for the default: I was guessing that as well, but have you found any documentation on that? Probably that's too much to ask for as Wolfram|Alpha certainly makes such decisions based on its AI and noone knows where they come from :-). – Albert Retey Mar 24 '14 at 16:07
"weather in celcius" ==> "Latest recorded weather for Cuciu, Romania"... Sigh. Although, I suppose "weather" in "Celcius", a unit of temperature, is a ridiculous question :D – R. M. Mar 24 '14 at 16:23

You can set the options for WolframAlpha in the usual way. The option to change is:

SetOptions[WolframAlpha, PodStates -> {"Show metric"}]


as for me (for whatever reason) it was the default to show metric units, I could verify with:

SetOptions[WolframAlpha, PodStates -> {"Show non-metric"}]


that this seems indeed to affect also the answers to the free form input-cells.

-