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ASP Advantage 1993
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The Association of Shareware Professionals Advantage CD-ROM 1993.iso
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standard.txt
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1993-04-11
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Association of Shareware Professionals Approved BBS Standards as of 04/11/93.
1.0. Introduction
This document sets forth standards for an Electronic Bulletin Board System
(BBS) to receive and maintain an "Approved" status from the Association of
Shareware Professionals (ASP).
2.0. Receiving and Maintaining ASP Approved Status
In order for a BBS to receive and maintain ASP Approved status, the following
standards must be met:
2.1. The BBS operator (SYSOP) must fill out an application form stating
his/her willingness to abide by ASP standards set forth in the document and
applying for Associate membership in the ASP.
2.2. The SYSOP must allow for initial and follow-up access to the BBS for
the purpose of verifying compliance with ASP standards. The SYSOP will
provide a specific access name and password on the application for use by an
ASP inspector. This will be used only for official ASP business and will be
kept strictly confidential by the ASP. This "user" must have normal access
given to BBS users or subscribers. It must allow access to all functions and
download libraries that contain shareware. Access to special message,
software support, and areas reserved for private purposes is not required.
2.3. The SYSOP will be given a warning if he/she fails to meet one or more
of the standards. If the problem is not rectified in a reasonable time, the
ASP Approved status and Associate membership will be withdrawn.
2.4. If ASP membership ceases for any reason, the BBS must cease using the
ASP name and trademarked logo in any way. Other benefits of membership will
also cease.
2.5. The principals of the BBS are held to the decisions of the ASP
Ombudsman and are required to cooperate with the Ombudsman when approached by
him/her.
2.5.1. Background on the Ombudsman:
The Ombudsman's sole role is to mediate disputes between all ASP members
(Authors and associate members alike) and their customers. The Ombudsman
reports to the board situations where he feels board action or knowledge is
appropriate.
3.0. Shareware Information on the BBS.
3.1. The BBS must maintain bulletins or other informative banners readable
by all who access the BBS that explain what shareware is and who the ASP is.
Files of the suggested ASCII text of these bulletins are included in the BBS
membership application package, and should be in place prior to the ASP
evaluation.
3.2 The BBS must maintain the ASP BBS Ombudsman Statement as either an
online bulletin or a downloadable text file, as per the instructions set
forth in the policy statement (BBS-OMB.TXT).
3.3. The file listings of the BBS must have a short identification of ASP
member programs. The notation "<ASP>" is recommended following the program
name, although other methods might be equally suitable.
4.0. Other Requirements.
4.1. The use of the terms "FREE SOFTWARE" and the like must not be used in
conjunction with any shareware products.
4.2. An ASP Approved BBS must not knowingly post for downloading software
that is illegal for distribution in this manner. Any such software must be
immediately removed when found. This includes retail-only products as well
as any other copyrighted material (including shareware) that is restricted
from distribution by the author or copyright owner.
4.3. SYSOPs will not change or delete ANY files supplied with the program
unless specifically authorized in the author's documentation or with the
author's prior authorization. Archiving files for downloading is encouraged.
All files supplied by the author must be contained in the archive(s).
4.4. The BBS will cease distributing out-of-date versions of ASP member
programs if requested by the author. ASP authors are encouraged to put this
and other specific requests in a file BBS.DOC or VENDOR.DOC as part of the
author's software package.
5.0. BBS Approval process.
5.1. Upon submission of the application form, an assignee of the ASP will
log onto the BBS to certify compliance with the standards set forth in
sections 3 and 4 above. If any deficiencies are found, the SYSOP will be
notified and a second check may follow after appropriate fixes are made. A
recommendation will be made to the ASP board for approval or disapproval and
the SYSOP will be notified of the results.
5.2. Appeal of these results may be made by the SYSOP directly to the board
of the ASP.
6.0. Benefits of being an ASP Approved BBS
A BBS which receives "ASP Approved" status has two different dues options to
choose from: Standard Level and High Level. During the first year of
membership all approved BBSs will automatically receive the benefits of High
Level Option. Standard level is seen as covering exactly the cost for these
ASP benefits, but not the operating costs of ASP. Both levels receive the
following benefits:
6.1.1 ASP members will be encouraged to send updated disks or uploads to
approved BBSs. The mailing list of Approved BBSs will be made available to
all ASP member authors.
6.1.2 Approved BBSs may use "ASP Approved BBS", "Approved BBS of the
Association of Shareware Professionals", or the ASP Approved BBS logo.
6.1.3. Approved BBSs will receive the printed ASP Newsletter, "ASPects".
6.1.4. Approved BBSs will also benefit by ASP publicity in which readers
will be told to look for ASP Approved BBSs.
6.1.5. Approved BBSs will be Associate members in the ASP. This is a
non-voting member status.
6.1.6. Approved BBSs will benefit from the public relations aspects of the
institution of Ombudsman.
6.1.7. Approved BBSs will be listed in a register of ASP Approved BBSs
distributed to members and other interested parties.
6.2.0 High Level Option helps to support the organization by covering some
of the overhead costs of the ASP such as the Executive Director's Office,
lobbying, etc. This option shall have the following added benefits:
6.2.1 The ASP Catalog disk will be mailed to these BBSs monthly.
6.3 Each BBS member will have to choose which level they want at each
membership billing. For changes at the main billing, services would shift
effective when the dues payment is received by the ASP office. At any time
after that, a member can switch from Standard to High Level option by paying
the difference in dues in full. The change will be effective as soon as the
ED can process it.
7.0. A special category of ASP Author BBS allows ASP Author members to post
the "ASP Approved BBS" wording or logo on support BBSs. The benefits
described in points 6.1.1, 6.1.3 and 6.1.7 above will not apply. There is no
charge for this category of member.