Sandaysoft

I've been trying to understand why the majority of Cumulus users haven't donated. A number of people have contributed by producing add-ons, and that's absolutely fine. A few people have told me they can't afford to donate at the moment. I've had about 50 donations, a couple of people have given as much as £50; the smallest donation was £3; a typical donation is £10-£15. I don't expect people to give a lot, it would be nice if everyone gave a little. Of course, it's hard to know how many users there are. But there are now 210 sites on the user map, 410 registered users on the forum, and 50 downloads of Cumulus every day.

Most of the donations I've had so far have gone on the cost of web hosting, and repairing my computer. I think these are both fair uses of the money. But now I would like to buy some nice, professional WPF and Silverlight software components (gauges, charts etc etc) for Cumulus 2. These are expensive. There is currently about £150 in the donation pot, but the components cost many more times that. I almost got my credit card out and bought them anyway, but I can't help but think about how unfair it is that I and those who have donated should subsidise everyone else.

Anyway, according to the Donation Coder web site:

"If you want donations - you're going to have to ask. It's a humbling thing, but if you don't ask, and ask seriously, people won't give."

So this is me, humbling myself, and asking seriously: If you use Cumulus and want to see it continue to be developed, please donate.

If it's using Paypal that's stopping anyone donating, please get in touch with me and I'll give you my address so you can send a cheque or whatever.

Hi Steve,

I totally agree with your message.
However, I really think it would be a better idea to stop offering Cumulus without any price label on it.
Have been using Wswin / PC Wetterstation for 7 years now, and I paid 30,00 € for the full version.
I suggest you do the same in future. If someone really wants to use your software, people will buy it, believe me.

Kind regards,

Olaf Eckhardt, http://www.meteoroerstreek.nl ( Netherlands)

Any thoughts about apps for Symbian/iOS/WP/Android etc? I have been playing with iCumulus for iPhone add on with some very useful results.

The monetization could be done in many ways assuming that the intent is to formally monetize.

I did have a fantasy some time ago that I would get enough donations to allow me to retire early and concentrate on Cumulus full time. Still a fantasy!