Big Screen Weather Update (v2)..

[Niall]

Hi,

Just an update on BS Weather (haven't posted here in a little while - and wanted to keep everything in one place). I wasn't able to reply to the original thread because last post was more than 90 days old (boohoo - had over 9000 views) - so here's a new one..

Big Screen Weather v2 has been announced (please see http://mobilewares.spaces.live.com/B...8194!727.entry for more details on whats in it etc)..

In a nutshell - this is a major update which now includes global weather data + imagery - and is pretty much a complete rewrite.



For Australian users - there's good and bad (mostly good!) - as I have tried to ensure no scraping is required (which can always break at any moment like what happened with v1) :

Radar screen issues have all been fixed (and the solution is being handled differently so that an update isnt required each time something changes) - and there's a lot more imagery to look at now (including Dopplar winds, 64/128/256km views plus lots of other charts, satellites etc from BOM site and other sites around the world).

For the time being Historical graphs (in v1) will not be included - but will be added in future as I enhance the backend server capabilities (for v2 weather data is generated/processed on my webserver - and there's significantly more data to worry about due to the global support).

Those small amount of users who donated generously to Big Screen Weather v2 will be pleasantly surprised (over next few weeks when it's ready) - and others will need to purchase the product to use it past the trial period.

cheers
Niall

[jgriffin]

Looks fantastic. Can't wait till it's out!

[Innie808]

Looks good. I'm kinda glad Niall's apps are going somewhat commercial. I don't mind paying for quality applications.

Been waiting for almost a year for some serious MCML applications to come out. Sure, there's the hobbiest apps, but something with a professional, quality feel about it should be great!

[syrilion]

I can't wait (like the rest of the MCE community)!! Great app for which I will be more than happy to pay for.

Only 2 sleeps until early Jan 2008...

[Vfast]

As a donating BSW person - I can hardly wait! happy to assist with testing etc.

BTW - my donation was on the 1/9/2007

[Maz78]

Great app. Loved the original BSW. Have just donated! Can't wait to see BSWv2

[Niall]

Hi,

Thanks Maz - much appreciated. (you'll be receiving your invite and full license for weather2 shortly).

All other donators should have also already recieved this invitation email (and email explaining how to get full version) yesterday. If you are one of these people and you didn't get this - please let me know ASAP (as it's possible I've sent it to the wrong place).

To others reading this -

I have just removed the pages for Big Screen Weather v1 (and associated download/donation links) - so v1 is now officially no longer available. (although will of course keep installers handy for donators still wishing to install old version).

Anyone who thinks I'm being unfair with this (and I should have left it there) - please note these stats (in the 14 months Weather v1 was made available) -
~ 53,000 Downloads (appreciate many would be non Aussies just checking it out)
~ 500 emails from users (most of which I answered and followed up) - mostly users saying how much they used/loved it - quite a few suggestions, the odd report of bad data - and quite a few who had their firewalls configured incorrectly.
While I really appreciated the comments and feedback - note the next stat...
20 donating users. (most around ~$10 - however a small number were really generous and made my day).

So ...

As per the replacement message on my site - the price for Weather v2 will be US$19.95 - and along with a fully unlocked (and nag screen free front end) - it will include 2 years of subscription access to the big screen weather servers.

Please note that an 'unlimited' expiry license is not being offered for this product - as all the weather data is being processed and hosted for you. (and I would have to charge substantially more for the product to account for the potential bandwidth costs of users downloading regularly for several years). Moving forward - by the end of this '2 year' period either extension options will be offered - or a 'v3' will have been made available. (and of course this part depends on how many people decide to buy v2).

Also note that the new version is now also PIKA 2.0 Extender tested + ready (and has the ability to 'auto detect' which device you have connected and then 'auto configure' your settings to suit).

If you want to get some 'early access' to the 30 day trials of the final versions of Big Screen Photos2 or Weather2 - please send me a private message here *EDIT* with your email address so I can send you details *EDIT* (however for some 'strange' reason I might be really slow to answer anyone without a 'sponsor' badge next to their name). Otherwise - the new big screen site and products should be launched publicly sometime next week. (look out for the announcements).

Additionally, I've received a few messages from OEM Dealers on here in the past - so just to let them know (and others reading) - enquiries are welcome now as well (and orders can be immediately processed as the full version / and online registration system is ready).

So - thanks to all those that did contribrute to making v1 a great product - and hope you enjoy v2. (and it was worth the wait).

cheers

Niall

[Maz78]

Thanks Niall.

Again, I love the app so does the other 1/2. Makes life a lot easier!
Hope you get lets of people signing up and making a donation / payment for the app.

Cheers,

Mark.

[lillgreen]

Oh man your the best, ive been hanging to get my hands on this.
The moment it is up i will be purchasing it straight away, once money permits ill send off a donation to help you keep these products rolling out.

[dgaust]

Just installed it and it is awesome, very very nice.

Cheers Niall.