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1993-06-16
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VENDINFO Standard Gains Widespread Industry Support
Parker, Colorado -- June 16, 1993 -- Rams' Island Software is pleased
to announce that the VENDINFO Software Distribution Information System
has gained widespread support throughout the shareware and BBS
industries.
VENDINFO is a system to convey software product information and
distribution permissions from the author to distributors. A standard
file (based on a public format) will carry extensive information in a
compressed, efficient form. The associated toolset will aid the
author in constructing the record, and will allow the distributor to
extract portions of the record, or to make distribution decisions
based on its content, in a highly automated way. VENDINFO will allow
automation of many operations now performed manually by BBS Sysops,
disk vendors, etc. It will also increase use of author-provided
product descriptions, and will improve compliance with product
distribution policies. A centralized product registry will allow
distributors to search for products satisfying their needs, and to
obtain contact information for the products thus located.
Manufacturers of the following BBS software and BBS file-upload
processors have "committed in principle" to support the VENDINFO
standard:
Wildcat! BBS, Mustang Software
Searchlight BBS, Searchlight Software
TBBS BBS, eSoft Inc.
Auntie BBS, Wes Meier
PowerBBS for Windows, Russell Frey
Sapphire BBS, Pinnacle Software
Tinyhost BBS, Bruce Krobusek
WME BBS, Jason Fesler
TransScan Upload Processor, Craig Dunstan
CheckZip Upload Processor, Bill Hull
DIZIT Upload Processor, Corsoft
"Support of VENDINFO" means that these vendors agree to utilize the
VENDINFO record for product descriptive information. "Commitment in
principle" means that this agreement is subject to satisfactory
delivery of the public file standard and the associated (non-public)
software library by Rams' Island Software.
A concept paper about VENDINFO was released for public comment on
May 8, 1993, with comments due by June 30. Here are some of the
comments already received:
"I think that VENDINFO is brilliant! I'd be quick to support the
concept and the execution."
-- Randy MacLean, author and rack vendor
"You've got me on the edge of my chair. The idea is fantastic!" xxxx
-- Paul Mayers, author
"The logical growth path for the usefulness of FILE_ID.DIZ. Clark
had a great idea for the industry -- Ramsey is taking it the next
step."
-- Bob Ostrander, author and disk vendor
"The [VENDINFO] system fills all the needs of vendors, authors,
and the end users. I can't wait for the final results."
-- Bill Shor, disk vendor
"VENDINFO is a much needed addition to the Shareware industry. It
will save authors, BBS's, and vendors much frustration and
valuable time. Once implemented, members of the Shareware
community will wonder how they ever got along without it.
-- Jim Green, mail-order and rack distributor
"BBS sysops are always in search of tools to make their library
tasks and routines easier and more automated. VENDINFO will be a
tremendous tool for the BBS sysop. Personally, I can't wait to
start using it!"
-- Richard Holler, BBS sysop
A prototype version of the VENDINFO toolset is being demonstrated at
the Summer Shareware Seminar, held June 18-20 in Indianapolis. The
formal file standard is scheduled for release in July.
Contact: H. Rudy Ramsey
Rams' Island Software
7644 E. Lakecliff Way _______
Parker, CO 80134-5904 (USA) ____|__ | (R)
--| | |-------------------
Voice: (303) 841-2848 | ____|__ | Association of
BBS: (303) 841-6269 | | |_| Shareware
CompuServe: 76244,324 |__| o | Professionals
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FidoNet: 1:104/333 |___|___| MEMBER
RIME: RAMSISLE
Internet: 76244.324@compuserve.com