Windfinder.com

[geoffp]

I received an email from a setup in Germany called "Windfinder.com" informing me that they are not receiving any weather data from me.
It turns out that this setup grabs your weather information from CWOP and uses it on their website, and all of it happens without your permission, I would not mind anyone using my data but it would be nice if you were asked.
After all, it is me who purchased the weather station, it was me who got my website built, it is me who pays the hosting fee's and then people come along and use your data without asking.
I have for now stopped uploading to CWOP and have asked Windfinder to remove "Harwich" from their website.

[gemini06720]

Geoff, before stopping your uploads to CWOP, it might have been a better solution to contact CWOP directly and make them aware that a site, such as Windfinder, is using the CWOP data for their own financial benefits...

Although I did not search all of the pages on the Windfinder site, I did not find any mention of CWOP...

[geoffp]

Have just mailed you a copy of the email stating they obtain the data from CWOP

[gemini06720]

Geoff, I was not doubting your post that Windfinder was getting its weather data from MESONET/CWOP...

My suggestion to you was to find out if Windfinder was indeed getting the weather data from CWOP with their consent ... or was that weather data obtain somewhat 'illegally'...

Windfinder would not be the first company getting some of its data from someone else system without prior consent...

I have a system somewhere in California requesting, once a minute, a data file produced by my weather station software (I have never authorised anyone nor any system access to the data files produced by my weather software) - even after blocking the IP address from that system weeks ago, the system is still requesting the data file...

Note: I received your e-mail message. Thank you.

[geoffp]

I contacted Windfinder and after a very sarcastic reply they have now removed all traces of my data from their website, so I have started uploading to CWOP again, but I will keep my eye on them, looking at how many weather reports they have for around the world I reckon that I am not the only one who is having their data grabbed from CWOP.

[steve]

I've always assumed that the commercial sites (e.g. Wunderground etc) are actually selling our data, but I have to admit that I never look at the terms and conditions when I sign up. I only sign up because I have to, to test Cumulus, so the conditions are irrelevant to me.

[geoffp]

I am afraid that I never read the terms or conditions of anything that I upload to, you may be right Steve that there is something in them that states other parties can use the data, will have a quite read this morning out of interest.

Like I said at the start, I don't mind who uses my data but a simple "Please can I/we....." would go a long way.

[gemini06720]

...I don't mind who uses my data but a simple "Please can I/we....." would go a long way.

Indeed, Geoff, it would be/should be basic/common courtesy for one (website operator) to ask if the data provided by someone else's weather station could be used on their website...

[geoffp]

After contacting CWOP regarding the use of my data by Wind finder I reply I have just received from Mr Gladstone was that the data is freely available so I guess that means anyone can download our data and use it without our permissions, is it worth uploading to these various sites like CWOP and PWS and all of the others, will have to think about this one

[gemini06720]

Geoff, if this is 'all' the consideration a weather station operator gets from weather web sites, it might be time for us (the weather station operators) to rethink the purpose of sending our data to them...

It appears that all those sites (AWEKAS, Anything Weather, CWOP, PWSWeather, Weather Underground, WEDAAL, WOW, WeatherBug) are willing to give away the data they have received freely from weather station equipments from which they have paid nothing (neither for the equipment purchase nor for the operating costs)...

[geoffp]

My feelings exactly Ray, but what else annoyed me was that "Windfinder" had my email address as well, of which they must have picked up my site from CWOP viewed it and then got my email address, just going to wait for all of the spam to start

My feelings at the moment Ray is that I pull the plug on all of them, it is not as though they encourage any visitors to my site.

[gemini06720]

My feelings at the moment Ray is that I pull the plug on all of them, it is not as though they encourage any visitors to my site.

Indeed, Geoff!

I subscribed to those services years ago when I first got my first weather station, not because I was expecting those weather sites to bring large number of visitors to my site (the site was created first and foremost to improve my programming skills and knowledge) but, because I thought sharing the data from my local weather station with others would improve the quality and the dissemination of the limited weather information that was then available to the general public (that was 8 years ago)!

I have since realised that those web sites I was sharing the data from my weather station with (AWEKAS, Anything Weather, CWOP, PWSWeather, Weather Underground, WEDAAL, WOW, WeatherBug) have gotten bigger, more demanding ... and 'richer' by charging their visitors increasing fees for data they did not pay for, data they got for free...

And, over the uears, I have been getting somewhat 'poorer' as I continued paying for the upgrade/upkeep/repairs of the weather station equipment and for the reliable upload services I have been providing to those web sites ... all that weather data they have been getting for free...

[geoffp]

And, over the uears, I have been getting somewhat 'poorer' as I continued paying for the upgrade/upkeep/repairs of the weather station equipment and for the reliable upload services I have been providing to those web sites ... all that weather data they have been getting for free... :

Tell me about it Ray, I live off the UK old age pension, if its a hard winter this year I will have to choose between heating or eating, It was all ways my plan to get a Davis Weather Station but that is just a pip dream now.

But it does wind me up when I struggle to keep the weather station going and I have to put up with set ups like Windfinder ect.

Enough said as far as I am concerned I have had my moan

Will think about the future

[PaulMy]

But remember, to most of us this is a hobby, and we can each decide whether we freely upload or not. If someone takes it from our own website and redirects or charges for the information without asking, then yes, I would expect they get permission first.
Paul

[Sunfish]

Perhaps CWOP may be unique in making data and e-mail addresses available to all and sundry.

Windfinder.com has been polite and helpful to me, offering to include a link to my site and also to post my banner.