Hi guys, surely some of you know the litte weather application "open clouds" which does a good work in wheather rendering. After I started it up today, I got a message, that I have to pay for a license key to have it working. That´s really bad and I think it´s somehow evil from the developer to release it as freeware at first and when enough users enjoy this superb thing, he decides to make us pay for it. They charge 12€ for a one year license key.

Presumably they will now change the name of it to Closed Clouds? :( It's up to them to do what they like with it of course, but it seems a bit like being an 'Indian Giver' to make people who already have it, then retroactively pay for it, when they were under the impression that they already possessed it.Al

Hi guys, surely some of you know the litte weather application "open clouds" which does a good work in wheather rendering. After I started it up today, I got a message, that I have to pay for a license key to have it working. That´s really bad and I think it´s somehow evil from the developer to release it as freeware at first and when enough users enjoy this superb thing, he decides to make us pay for it. They charge 12€ for a one year license key.

On their site it says it's free if you're in the UK. Outside it's payware.. Which is rather bizarre. Maybe it's sponsored by the UK Independence Party! :( I'd just forget it and go with one of the proper payware chaps..Ian

I actually don't use it, so it's no loss to me, but being an Avsim person, I do keep abreast of such things.I got the impression from the website that what they meant was that it would work when you were in the UK in Flight Sim, but not at any other location (sort of like a geographically limited demo), but maybe it is as you say and they are referring to your physical location.Al

I am very surprized.I use(d) it and like(d) it very much because it was a fast and powerful tool and I was grateful to the developers for their free smart piece of software.I can perfectly understand that the devs decide to sale their product but I really don't appreciate that this tool is still offered as a freeware on their website. And I think they should have warned us before changing the codes in the background.Nice tool, bad communication IMHO.Edit:On their Download page it's still writen:The software is free for everyone and I encourage other multi-player communities to link to this page.But on the Open Clouds page Dave speaks about the small fee.

I got the impression from the website that what they meant was that it would work when you were in the UK in Flight Sim, but not at any other location (sort of like a geographically limited demo), Al

Yeah, that's what I meant Al. Virtual location.. :( Ian

Yes I do apologise but Open Clouds is now payware.Originally I had intended it to be freeware for ever but I didn't realise the amount of time that goes into supporting a product, free or not. At the end of the day I decided that I must either pull the software completely or charge for it. Sorry for not anouncing it on here first but I wanted to ensure a smooth transition with the registration etc. I'm pleased to say this has worked ok.

Yes I do apologise but Open Clouds is now payware.Originally I had intended it to be freeware for ever but I didn't realise the amount of time that goes into supporting a product, free or not. At the end of the day I decided that I must either pull the software completely or charge for it. Sorry for not anouncing it on here first but I wanted to ensure a smooth transition with the registration etc. I'm pleased to say this has worked ok.

So welcome to the Orange commercial gang Dave!

I have used it since day 1 almost but to be honest it doesnt have enough features for me to justify paying for it. I wish Dave good luck but I have uninstalled it and now use FXrealWX, free with more features.

On their Download page it's still writen:The software is free for everyone and I encourage other multi-player communities to link to this page.But on the Open Clouds page Dave speaks about the small fee.

Sorry, I missed that David. Now changed. The comment about the software being free and open to anyone really applies to FSHost, Flight strips etc which are aimed at the mutiplayer community.

So welcome to the Orange commercial gang Dave!

Ahh, my real motive has been discovered. Looking forward to the xmas party!

I used to use it but after finding FSrealWX I've uninstalled it. FSrealWX is more realistic IMO and free. Good for those flights when you can't be assed to boot up ASE and sit their for ages waiting for it to start (yes I am impatient) :Batting Eyelashes:http://www.rs-transline.de/index.php?page=self&id=2 for those who haven't tried it yet.I'd rather support UK developers but I already have ASE as my payware weather generator and can't afford to spend money on something else which I'll only occasionally use.

Not good to start charging after making it free. If the time to support is to much, don't provide support for those who don't pay, but let those of us who trusted the "free" part to continue to use what we downloaded. Otherwise, while OC is good, it isn't good enough to pay for. Moving on to FSRealWX.Not good business or fellow simmer practice.

FSrealWX is more realistic and free. Good for those flights when you can't be assed to boot up ASE and sit their for ages waiting for it to start (yes I am impatient) :(

Thanks for HU!

Not good to start charging after making it free. If the time to support is to much, don't provide support for those who don't pay, but let those of us who trusted the "free" part to continue to use what we downloaded. Otherwise, while OC is good, it isn't good enough to pay for. Moving on to FSRealWX.Not good business or fellow simmer practice.

I don't see the problem with charging for the product now. It has obviously taken him alot of time to code it.

Thanks for HU!

You're welcome :(

The guy who provides reawxlite, has already hinted at making it payware eventually, so enjoy it while its free. Has really improved on his latest beta release.