Interesting. Oh well, life goes on. :)

While I don't own FSMeteo, and most likely never will based on this thread, I thought I would chime in with my nickel.If you are in the United States, the following applies to you.There is a governement Agency responsible for CyberCrime, and they may be able to help you. Maybe even figure out if there was a crime or not.The site is:http://www.cybercrime.govTo report CyberCrime, you can go here, and it will take you through the proper steps to launch an Investigation, in the appropriate jurisdiction:http://www.cybercrime.gov/reporting.htmHere are some of the Phone Numbers to report this. if you are all serious, at least find out your rights by reporting it, and let the pro's determine if it was or is a crime.Computer Intrusion:NIPC toll-free: 888-585-9078Internet Fraud Complaint Center:http://www.ifccfbi.gov/index.aspAt the above link, you need to read a disclaimer, and then you can submit a complaint. If enough of you do it, you will most likely receive help, or at least an explanation of the right source to contact.**************IMHO, You don't need to hire some lawyer to sue a developer. Go this route, and then if the investigation proves out, then you can always go after them in a civil court. IMHO, they (the lawyers) will simply suck on your money, and you may be suing someone who does not have any assets to even win. Think about that. It is not about the money, is it? To me, it should be about a developer whomever it is, doing the right thing. **************What someone needs to do though, that is a customer, is list the contacts for the developer in this thread so everyone can benefit.Some of the info that may be needed is:name:address:bank info:Distributor, if any:Transaction cost:copy License or read me.developers source of data: IE Is it a federal source, or do they pay for it?Best of luck, and I hope this helps you all out.And those of you worried about all Payware going this way, there are still many more FREEWARE developers out there, and all one has to do is check the Avsim Library for confirmation that Freeware is alive and well, regardless of how some payware developers act.Regards,Joe http://aboutpolitics.net/images/bannerav.gif.About Politics.net - FORUMShttp://pub162.ezboard.com/baboutpolitics.Contribute to the Richard Harvey Scholarship Fund.http://www.avsim.com/pages/scholarship.shtml

I've feel compelled that the attitude of the Active Sky developers is right on:The latest version of WXre works with both FS2K2 and provides the same, but not expanded, functionality with FS9. They did fix WXre when the public servers changed their data format. While FSUIPC 3.x is required, it does include registration limited access with it. They probably will not do any more changes so if the public servers change format again, problems will be encountered.For AS2004, which uses private servers, includes FSUIPC 3.x access, works only with FS9 using the extended weather interface, and is a new product from a coding perspective, after some user complaint they did offer a discount to WXRe users.In the near future, Radar Contact will be doing the same with a major revision and has announced that there will be some discount to existing users for the new product. They have finalized for FS2K2 and FS9 the current product. RC included limited access FSUIPC registration.Reality-XP also offers multiple versions of its product, has a key file that can be saved for a reinstall if necessary including the setup for each gauge set, and offers versions for both FSs. Incremental version changes including FS9 conversions were without fee. They do not use FSUIPC.So, here are three major payware vendors by my experience, and I'm sure others, that out of necessity in the future may not be able to issue replacement keys, but at least do not build in destructive coding. I make hd to hd images so all key files, os, everything, gets backed up keeping keys validated that are based on os validation.I think this is the proper attitude.

I will confirm what was posted earlier on this thread. There was a time when weather programs were freeware and Marc released FSMeteo as a commercial product. FSMeteo was superior to the free weather products, but many users were happy with what the freeware programs provided. To sweeten the offer, Marc promised ALL upgrades would be FREE for the life of the product. If people switched over to his product, they would receive continued product improvements and support.It was a year and a half later that I received an upgrade notice saying I would have to pay for the next version. I asked Marc why there were no more free upgrades and he said the new program architecture required a dedicated server. Marc needed to charge users to pay for the server. It's understandable that things change and unforeseen circumstances occur.I would have gladly paid for upgrades to improve the product, like I do with other products I own, but that was not the case with FSMeteo. When Marc broke his promise to his initial customers, he lost my business based on principle and I moved on to a competing product.Most users expect a standalone program to continue to function, no matter how old the version becomes. If the program downloads data to function, then the program's useful life is only as good as the connection to the server. The publisher can effectively kill an older version simply by changing the encryption method or the access point. A very big problem with FSMeteo is Marc never stated how long an older version was allowed to function. In a manner similar to dropping all free upgrades, he suddenly notifies users via a pop-up the older version no longer works, only this time he also deletes files.As good as Marc is with customer support (at least when I used FSMeteo), he is not business saavy when it comes to customer relations. I've always kept the door open with the possibility I may return to FSMeteo. I can definitely say that door is now closed.As the proverb says, "A leopard cannot change his spots".Bruce

Ok.I would advise software developers then to send polite messages to pirates hacking and distributing copies of their programs asking them why they choose to do such a thing. They may not like the reply, but they'll propably get one.Get my point?Kind regardsSpiros HazapisAthens, Greece

Funny.. few days ago, on the other less used computer I had an old FS 6.x version and it committed a harakiri when started.You can imagine my surprise at the moment when a fairly new version (something I thought was newer than the early 6.x) threw into the screen it's been expired and quickly flashing dos prompts.Didn't have weather proggies for the couple days I were with the older comp and few too many miles away from primary comp.. (and due to FS9 Realweather bugs, concerning drag coefficiency and metric visibility, the third party programs are quite important to me or otherwise I'd be flying constantly in around IMC conditions due to fog)Obviously not just a 5.1 problem...I wonder why the 6.x had a self-destruct mechanism?Anyway.. Activesky 2004 had been published just few days before, you don't have to guess twice what was the outcome couple days afterwards.At least this self-destruction mechanism didn't have any bugs which would've deleted bit more than just the FS Meteo files... otherwise I'd for damn sure required more than just a refund.

"The author and/or distributors will assume no liability for events that may occur while using any of this software."The author assumes no liability - full stop. The programme may delete the data file as part of the download process and this happens before the point where it downloads but at that point he has removed access to the server. If this is the norm with access to the server - tough.I too had V5.X an gave it the flick some time ago when it failed to link to the server or downloaded unintelligible gibberish.That will teach you to boycott french goods.I am amused :) Andy b

Except developer is still responsible if hes breaking the laws intentionally, regardless of any such legal notices on a commercial products.I have my doubts on the validity of this legal notice also, I suspect it is invalid on a commercial product like this one, if not law breaking in itself.

This is the best reply I have seen on this thread! ;) Hit the nail right on the head.regards,Efrain Ruiz, APR1Board MemberAirPUERTORICO Virtual Airlineswww.airpr.net

Has anyone e-mailed Marc Philibert about this? If so, what was the answer, if any?JJ StruyfBraine-L'AlleudBelgiumhttp://jdtllc.com/images/RCsupporter.jpg

Hello Everone,Marc has a new version of v5.1 that will solve the problem of its expiration. just email him and he will provide you the update. Marc can be reached at : [email protected] told me that he is very sorry for any inconvience that he has caused anyone and will more than happy to help with getting the older version back up.I know that many of you don't feel it is worth your effort, but the new version of FSMeto is so improved, that I wonder why you would want to use it and really for FS2004 the old version is almost worthless.However everyhone that feels that they have a problem, Marc, would like to hear from you at the above email address.Hope this helps clear up the many concerns that have been expressed in this thread.Bob Johnson

>>That will teach you to boycott french goods.Marc Phillibert is Canadian ;-)

Thanks Bob, I'll write him a note.JJ StruyfBraine-L'AlleudBelgiumhttp://jdtllc.com/images/RCsupporter.jpg

Thanks Bob for this advice - I guess it serves to reinforce the old dictum that given the choice between a conspiracy and a stuff-up it's usually the stuff-up.Bruce

Dear users,For the sole purpose of reacting to this thread I registered on this forum. Yes, I too was upset when FSMeteo refused service and all I got was a pop-up. And I too started searching my system for clues about 'what he had done'. But how many of the outraging hate mail writers have actually contacted Marc BEFORE verbally executing him here? To give him a chance to clarify matters? Not many, judging by the content of these messages.Well, I did last night and within MINUTES I had a free update in my mail box that works perfectly, complete with updated docs etc. appended to a very polite email. I therefor can only conclude that Marc could have handled the notification better, a mention of this issue on the FSMeteo site would have avoided a lot of hassle for instance, but that's all.What makes me very sad however is to see how a developer, scoring top reviews for years in a row, having made an add-on that is so good that even avid freeware users around the world (including me) happily pay for it, is dumped like a brick and even worse as soon as something disturbing happens. Is there so little faith that this man is trustworthy and will not suddenly turn into a service denying kind of hacker? All he did was fail to communicate adequately MAYBE, and oh yeah, he didn't bury us under a load of terms and conditions when we bought his program. Wow, his is Marc, not MS. It's bad enough as it is nowadays, having to protect everything from anything.Yes, some of YOUR files were deleted from YOUR hard disk - major bummer, never touch The Property. I guess the people being so mad about this all have cookies disabled, stay far from ANY multimedia stuff, long for good old DOS where you would know every file on your machine and now sue MS every two weeks for changing things on THEIR disk... Come on, look at it this way: these files could also be routinely modified by the program just to make it function and be deleted on closing. No big deal then, and anyway FSMeteo V5.x as before will not be able to function now in the first place, and upon just mailing him (as the message says!) Marc provides you with the updated stuff.So in short, chill out pleaz people, how come many guys are so loaded with anger? Thankfully a few more thoughtful words have appeared as well but I for one needed to show my support here for Marc Philibert and FSMeteo, which is still my #1 add-on for MSFS. Erik Sleutelberg... And yes, I hope Marc and all the other developers keep up their good work and are not put off by some of the rudeness in this topic.