Cumulus Support

I've been running Cumulus v1.9.4-b1079 since back last summer and it has worked remarkably well. There was a time period of well over a month where I didn't even access the laptop screen, just viewed data via the website. It just worked...period! I mean, it has worked so well that I think I've forgotten how I set up some of the software and how to use some of the utilities. But, it'll come back to me and going into some of the menu's it has refreshed my memory some.

I really don't see a need to update any of the software as it seems to do things well enough for me. Maybe I'm missing some details here, but nothing seems broken or "lacking" with the current beta verison that I'm running. But, though I think everything is running fine, should I consider updating the beta version that I'm running to the stable v1.9.4-1088? I feel that I have a version now that I can walk away from for a month or two and it'll just keep chugging along. Will the system be more reliable (I don't see how) with the 1088 build? Are there features that I will gain by updating?

I'm just afraid of messing my station up by updating the software. So, is there enough change between the beta 1079 version and the stable 1088 version to warrant risking the stability I've grown accustomed to? I guess though, if we're at a stable version with no current beta out there that this that 1088 must be a very stable version in itself, eh?

<ARGGGHHHH!!!!> I guess I'm trying to convince myself to update the software...or not to.

deesdecishunsahkillinme!!!!

Ed

I'll make your decision easy; go ahead and upgrade Ed. Not much changed that you can see but you would have the current release version. Just backup your data folder, or may as well your whole Cumulus folder, before you install. And you can always reinstall your previous version if you had to (but you won't).

Paul

It is your choice, but the current release version is just as stable. Have a look at all the updates and fixes since 1079, some of them could affect everyone, some are quite 'niche'...

http://wiki.sandaysoft.com/a/Version_1.9.4

Plus of course if anything does go wrong the first thing Steve will say is "update to the latest supported version first" which is only right as you cannot expect him to support all versions/builds. The Twitter feed is a good example of this.

I always install the latest version as soon as it is released as experience has taught me that Steve never releases a "broken" product.

Thanks for the feedback, everybody!!! Just as I expected...full support for Steve's stable versions.

I'll try to figure out a time to do the update soon. I've always been of the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality. Besides a small donation each year I guess actually *using* the released versions is also supporting Steve. And as stated, *if* something were to happen it would save me some grief if I was already running the latest version. Good reasons all to update.

Ed

PS... It still amazes me how stable 1079 has been...it just keeps working. Matter of fact, it almost seems "intelligent"!!!! Example... The other day during our "ice storm" I went out to the ISS to check on it and it looked as if someone had cleared the solar panel of snow/sleet, which was strange. Befuddled, I walked back inside and noticed a small puddle of water beneath the Davis console and a bit of slushy ice that had almost melted. When I opened up the laptop and the Cumulus console appeared I barely caught a glimpse of a message that scrolled by...the best I could tell it read "Clear PV Panel". I thought to myself "nah...couldn't of been"...then suddenly a single ascii winking smiley face zoomed quickly across the screen!!!!!! I just gently closed the lid on the laptop and walked away...I figured Cumulus was taking care of things...some things are best not pondered on too much...

Intheswamp wrote:PS... It still amazes me how stable 1079 has been...it just keeps working.

That's what happens when code is well written, checked and tested before release. I've had Cumulus for nearly 5 years now and no beta release has ever been a problem.

Howdy Ray. My station is starting it's 9th month so I'm no longtime user, but I've never regretted going with Cumulus when I first set it up. If a person follows instructions and isn't afraid to ask a question or two if they get hung up on something then they should be up and running in no time at all and with basically only *user* problems to deal with. You can tell by the software that Steve takes pride in his work.

Ed

Hi Ed,

We're a pretty friendly bunch here and have all been newcomers who needed help so giving assistance to others is never in short supply.

There haven't been any big changes in Cumulus for some time so I suspect Steve is working on something new. Just my own thoughts you understand. I could be completely wrong. He does have other interests.