Avare disabled for all countries except USA and Canada

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Apps4av Support

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Oct 25, 2016, 9:02:45 AM10/25/16
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Due to generally bad reviews from countries other than USA, we have removed distribution of Avare from these countries, effective today.

USA, and Canada will continue to be served.

Bad reviews are mostly related to user frustration from not having access to OFFICIAL charts for their countries in Avare. As a free app, we cannot afford to add paid charts.

Canada is an exception. Although we get a bunch of bad reviews from Canada, we will keep serving the app there. Canadian users should address chart distributions issue with Navcan. When Navcan reduces/waives thier fees, we will be happy to add OFFICIAL charts for Canada.


--
Regards,
Apps For Aviators Support,

We encourage users to use the Forum for all questions. Any updates to the forum will help other users, who might have similar questions.
Forum: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/apps4av-forum


John W SBA

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Oct 25, 2016, 1:16:08 PM10/25/16
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> Due to generally bad reviews from countries other than USA, we have removed
> distribution of Avare from these countries, effective today.

I'm sad that bad reviews from a few people who don't understand the
complexities of free open-source apps, could reduce our support of users
from other countries who have found uses for Avare. Is there any chance
this decision could be reconsidered, or modified in the future?

Dean Gibson ATP/CFI

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Oct 25, 2016, 1:19:23 PM10/25/16
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AOPA solved this problem decades ago, by limiting membership to pilots who have soloed.

Too bad you can't do the same.
-- Dean  ( http://airmen.mailpen.com/airman/dean/ ) 

bman

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Oct 25, 2016, 6:53:30 PM10/25/16
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Nether AOPA or EAA require that you are a pilot to be a member. Both organizations are simply for folks who have an interest in aviation.

Dean Gibson ATP/CFI

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Oct 26, 2016, 3:40:19 PM10/26/16
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According to http://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Member-of-AOPA (posted a year ago), you have to be a pilot in order to be a VOTING member of AOPA.

However, the current by-laws ( https://www.aopa.org/about/governance/aopa-by-laws ) state:

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.  Qualification.  The members of this corporation shall consist of individuals who hold, or have held, a pilot certificate issued by the certificating agency of the United States of America, as well as individuals who have soloed or owned, or now own, an aircraft, and individuals who have an interest in advancing the cause of general aviation.


Apparently the last phrase in the above, is a recent addition.

William Herrick

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Oct 27, 2016, 12:34:24 PM10/27/16
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Good for you guys....they probably don't donate anyway....they can always sign up for the more expensive apps INSTEAD of bitching and giving bad reviews....grow up folks!

Michael Stalker

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Oct 27, 2016, 2:24:43 PM10/27/16
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Hi,

I live in the UK.
I plan flying from the east to west coast and back to the east coast, of the USA during spring 2018.
I will be flying this in my flexwing microlight or trike.
As part of my planning, I found Avare.
I have purchased the addons/hardware to allow ADSB.
I had intended to use this as my main app allowing access to weather, traffic and charts, however this decision to restrict access to those 'outside' is a huge setback to my plans.

In order to use an aviation app, whist flying, it is essential to be learned in how to use it.
It would be idiotic for me to only download the app when I arrive in the US, prior to my adventure starting, and "learn" it.

So....

Is there any other way to get access to the app, for those outside the US/Canada.

Cheers
Michael
(G-BZIM)

Hendrik Stilke

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Oct 27, 2016, 2:29:47 PM10/27/16
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Dear Apps4Nav,

I am constantly reading up what goes on in this group and catch some good input for my own work here and there. But what is this decision?
Do you really care more about your rating than your users? Are you serious? Its a free application anyway! So no need to push sales figures If you are honest in what you do for this app.
And I really like it, even being from Europe. OK we cant use your official plates/charts. But its useful anyway, even without your maps and using custom maps instead.

I'm an aviation industry expert and (part-time) developer by myself, just for the fun and satisfaction it gives to actually build something that people are thankful for!
Got my own problematic baby RadarMaps, which is constantly rated down by user who do not understand the purpose of this app being an add-on for RadarStick and RadarSpotter (my other apps).
But do I take it away from people, lets say in Africa or Indonesia, just because they do not see what it is good for? No. People install stuff they find interesting.
So when they dont get the point what use case it is for, they get angry or disappointed, and they dont blame themselves but others (->you) and give one star ratings.
Be a man! Dont act like a wussy just because someone is yelling at your software. Its great! Be honored that so many people even consider it may be useful, and download it to have a look at it.
That's how I see the things. Keep going and please dont unpublish for the rest of the world.

Best regards
Hendrik

Zubair Khan

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Oct 27, 2016, 2:36:03 PM10/27/16
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Hi Michael
You can download the latest version from apps4av.org/share.



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Peter A. Gustafson

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Oct 28, 2016, 10:28:15 AM10/28/16
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Hendrik, these are interesting points you make.

However, I don't agree with your "just take your lumps quietly" advice.  There are two reasons:

1)
Despite being free, we have _many_ competitors.  Most users use the app rating to differentiate between competing apps.  I personally have a hierarchy of things I check before downloading any unfamiliar apps in a "feature space". 
  A) Does it appear to do what I need
  B) Is it among the highest rated apps in the category (and how many ratings does it have)
  C) Does it have many users, or just a few
  C) Is it free (desired, but not required)
  D) Is it open source (desired, but not required)

The android market is becoming saturated. It is hard for users to find the hidden gems. With most, we get one chance to make an impression.  While my selection criteria is different than others, we all have a selection process and I think most use rating in their process.  I posit that bad ratings drive away more users than good ratings acquire.  Apps4Av feels that managing user access (to those who are the intended audience) gives us a higher likelihood increasing our user base.

2)
For non- North American users, we are not abandoning them.  We want them to join the cause too, and hope to support them more fully when charts become available.  We have put a gate, but not a fence, around our software.  These users can download directly from us (apps4av.org/share), or install from other sources who distribute our work, or compile the code on their own.  We think this works OK (not great) for those who have sufficient skill to fill in the charting gaps on their own.  Its balances the conflicting outcomes.


While it may seem counter intuitive to "increase users by decreasing access", the bottom line is this: Yes, we care about ratings. Like any other "brand", we manage ours carefully. Our motives are different than some providers, and we measure success differently.  But we feel protecting the image of our brand is in the best interest of our users and (in maintaining the reputation and motivation of our developer team).  We reevaluate frequently, and will look at this again when have something concrete to offer the global user space.


Pete
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John W SBA

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Oct 28, 2016, 2:22:17 PM10/28/16
to Peter A. Gustafson, apps4a...@googlegroups.com
> 1) ...Apps4Av feels that managing user access...
> gives us a higher likelihood increasing our user base.
>
> 2) ... balances the conflicting outcomes.
>
> ...protecting the image of our brand is in the best interest
> of our users and...developer team). We reevaluate frequently...

Pete, I greatly appreciate your taking the time to outline some of the
main reasons behind the decision because it helps me understand and
support the change. The last sentence helped too, by reinforcing the
fact that change is constant and we will adapt.

Peter DC

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Jan 27, 2017, 12:05:20 AM1/27/17
to Apps4Av Forum
Dear Avare,
Well finding this at least explains why the app didn't install from Google Play. Play just mentions "Avare is not compatible with any of your devices" and I was fearing outdated hardware of some type. The manual apk download and install works like a charm, thanks for leaving that gate open.
I get your decision. Now to climb out of this and become the best on a global scale, engaging the community may be a risk-free way to improve charts and data worldwide. Is there a 101 on adding charts and adding data ? I read the airport data page ( 2013/08/16/adding-airport-data/ ) but it doesn't mention where I should append such data to make it available to the app.
I have done some integration work and have earlier converted worldwide airport data, this could be something I can help with.
Charts too : how should I get about adding a map to Avare ? Is there a post explaining this already ?
Many thanks, Peter, Dubai

Zubair Khan

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Jan 28, 2017, 10:25:25 AM1/28/17
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Hello Peter
You may look at github avare under folder extra.
Let me know if this is enough info for you to get started.
Zubair



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Peter DC

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Jan 28, 2017, 1:22:14 PM1/28/17
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Dear Zubair,
That's a level too vague for me I'm afraid. My initial goals are the below :
- Extend the Miami TAC (which is available through the standard map downloads) down to Key West : the Florida Keys are an insert on the main Miami TAC chart, but the insert hasn't been "dragged into its proper place" when viewing the TAC in Avare. I plan on flying there in 2 weeks time.
- Add some airport data for where I live (Dubai), so that I can enjoy the ADSB traffic data over reliable apt data (that ONC map is way outdated)
- Add decent maps and data for Western Europe where I fly in the summertime. That can happen over the next few months.
I am not an android developer, so may need an extra pointer or 2.
Many thanks, Peter
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