http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6255321.stm

Could this have a knock on effect with meteorological data one asks?
May we be heading for an American system of Freely available
information.

One can only wish as we seem to be go more and more the other way!

Keith (Southend)
http://www.southendweather.net

Keith,

I agree that historical weather should be available for £Free, as I do
believe that the funding for recording data comes out of our Taxes.

Although, some may argue that the data could be politically sensitive
with regards to Climate Change, and in times of Military conflict.

Bonos Ego wrote:

Keith,

I agree that historical weather should be available for £Free, as I do
believe that the funding for recording data comes out of our Taxes.


Funds for *recording* data may come out of our taxes but who pays for
sorting the data into a format suitable for distribution to all and sundry?

--
Graham Davis
Bracknell

Graham P Davis wrote:
Funds for *recording* data may come out of our taxes but who pays for
sorting the data into a format suitable for distribution to all and sundry?

As you may know, the Met Office take our data from our AWS hourly.

Obviously they will then sell the Coventry data should anyone request
it, but I have had people come directly to me because the costs are so
high.

As a result, we have now put daily records on our website dating back
to 1977 because I have never thought that the data belonged to us even
though the school provide the equipment and pay me.

Weather data should be in the public domain, BUT there should be some
way of paying for up keep of instruments and for paying staff, so I
understand why the Met Office make some charge for information,
especially for businesses who might make money out of their services.

Research and education should get data free every time IMO

Steve Jackson
Bablake Weather Station
Coventry UK
www.bablakeweather.co.uk

I would be more than happy to work for the Met Office sorting the data,
as a qualified Management Accountant I'm very good with data
manipulation & presentation.

Steve,

I would be more than happy to work for the Met Office sorting the data,
as a qualified Management Accountant I'm very good with data
manipulation & presentation.


Of course I understand that there needs to be an end user of the data,
and it's the business community that contributes towards its costs.

Bonos Ego wrote:
I would be more than happy to work for the Met Office sorting the data,
as a qualified Management Accountant I'm very good with data
manipulation & presentation.


It's a shame that people like us are sidelined as though we are stealing
something, yet would love to be able to provide a service that people
want, not what 'managers' think they want, and do it for fun and free.

--
Keith (Southend)
http://www.southendweather.net
e-mail: kreh at southendweather dot net

On Fri, 12 Jan 2007 19:17:58 +0000, "Keith (Southend)"
wrote:

Bonos Ego wrote:
I would be more than happy to work for the Met Office sorting the data,
as a qualified Management Accountant I'm very good with data
manipulation & presentation.

It's a shame that people like us are sidelined as though we are stealing
something, yet would love to be able to provide a service that people
want, not what 'managers' think they want, and do it for fun and free.

Yes indeed. There are many examples of services, data, computer
programs etc. which are provided for a fee to commercial users and
which are free of charge for non-commercial use. I see nothing special
about weather data; it should be provided free of charge except to
commercial users.

--
Dave