Closure of WoAI - 30th April 2013

[sprocky]

I searched the forum but did not find any post regarding this. So I thought to post an official statement over here since this will affect the early MAIW releases as well.

We decided to pull the plug by 30th April 2013. Why? Many of us lost interest in FS or just do not have the time to create and test packages as well as giving support to the community. Note that since we have special agreements with the authors of models/flightplans/repaints we will ask the library managers to remove all the packages from the file hosting sites. You may still use our work but you are not allowed to share them with others including uploading to file hosting sites. This is to respect the will of the original authors.

We thank all the users for appreciating our work over all those years and their constructive feedback.

Last but not least: although limited in time I will be around here from time to time in case you still use the packages and have questions.

[bismarck]

Bad news...

Giorgio

[delbydoo]

Sad news, as they supplied the majority of my civvie traffic since they started. Thanks for all the hard work and you will be missed.

[Firebird]

Yep, sad to see them call it a day.
I did think it a bit strange that the packages can be hosted on Avsim when WoAI is around but it is not allowed when WoAI is not around. As far as I can see the only thing lost would be support of increasing age packages. However, it is their call.

[GrahamS]

But that was the agreement with the various file authors when the group started. Should WOAI shut down then the files should be withdrawn from the libraries.

[Firebird]

Fair enough, Graham. Strange, but fair enough.

[Stewart Pearson]

Fair enough, Graham. Strange, but fair enough.

No doubt they walked straight into the EULA that PAI has/had in force which kind of backed them into a corner I suppose.

[sprocky]

May I shed some light on the package removal topic. There are some special agreements with certain persons at WoAI which clearly mention as long as the person is at WoAI we can use his work (a question of special trust in this person). Closing the shop means that this person will not be at WoAI anymore. Hence, the permission is automatically withdrawn. That's why we will have to remove the packages. I wish we had an option because I know from the numbers of downloads a lot of people used the packs. Sadly we will even have to withdraw packages that contains repaints/plans solely released in these packages because somebody created them for us only when no repaint was available or the quality of available ones did not match our standard.

[GrahamS]

Whilst I understand your position in this Stewart, my understanding is that the PAI EULA ( a most unfortunate document in my view ) has little, if anything, to do with this situation.

[Stewart Pearson]

Whilst I understand your position in this Stewart, my understanding is that the PAI EULA ( a most unfortunate document in my view ) has little, if anything, to do with this situation.

I see Jan has explained it better Graham.

A "most unfortunate document" must be up there in the top 10 understatements list.

[GrahamS]

You will no doubt be aware that it would be most inappropriate for me to speak my mind on the subject, so it must remain an understatement.

[Firebird]

No problem, Graham. Nobody here would like to see you put yourself in any particular situation.

[sprocky]

In case you did not know already: after contacting several authors we decided to keep the packages online.

[Firebird]

Fair play to them and yourselves. I am glad that the packages are not lost to the world.

[delbydoo]

That's very good news

[petebramley]

I think I have a copy of all packages stowed away somewhere. but nice to know they will still be available