@Start_of_text An introduction to... U S E R S S T A N D A R D S G R O U P (The what, why and hows) Version 1.20 release 1.2 Updated: 19.5.95 --==>> What exactly is USG? <<==-- USG is a non-profit organisation of users and developers who are willing to support and aid in the development of high quality software and standards. As such, USG and USG-Net will help developers with ideas to make their product better, and to encourage them to actually release their products. USG will also help with suggestions, tips, technical details, and to provide betatesters for these products. Developers connected to USG-Net will also find it useful to set up their own echo, which will provide them with even more help in finding the "right way" for their product. USG-Net is explained in more detail in its own, introduction-text. --==>> What are the goals with USG? <<==-- USG's goal is simply to provide a stable base for developers to get their products tested and to provide the end-user with a simple way to let the developer know what they think of their product. USG will try to help developers find suitable betatesters for their product. USG will also act as quality-assurance for products. Look for things like 'Endorsed by USG', 'Supported by USG' and similar... --==>> Why USG? <<==-- Well, that is up to you. If you have ever developed something, you might know the amount of work involved. If you also have been busy betatesting it, you know that there is always one more bug. USG will not do all the work for you, but should provide you with enough suggestions and tips to make it easier from the start. --==>> Why should you join USG? <<==-- As a developer, you should join to gain access to a wide variety of users and other developers. Other developers could provide you with lots and lots of tips on 'how to'. Betatesters finding that obscure bug noone would have found until after release. Suggestions on how to do certain things. These things can be the thing that gets a product released instead of scrapped. As a user, you should join USG to support the development of quality software and quality standards. As a user, you can also take active part in the development of said software and standards. You could be a betatester for someone, or maybe do some promotional work for a product you like. As a member of USG, your knowledge, thoughts and opinions can provide invaluable help for others, which is the main goal with USG. --==>> How does USG work? <<==-- USG as an organisation works by the rule that everyone is equal. Major changes regarding USG will be a matter for all members. For single developers, they will still have full control of their product. USG will serve as a support organisation for the product, IF the developer wishes it. Practically, most contact is through USG-Net, FidoNet, AmigaNet or the InterNet. USG-Net, the core of the developer support, is available to anyone, not just USG members. But, to get full support and use of USG you will still have to become a member. USG-Net is a growing net, but will try to be somewhat faster than existing nets, mainly by not concerning itself with non-development topics. For more information on USG-Net, see the 'Introduction to USG-Net' text. At the time of writing, USG does not handle any registration issues, nor any distribution of your product, but maybe in the future. This depends on the interest among members to take active part in the maintenance of USG as an organisation. --==>> What is USG supporting so far? <<==-- The following products are endorsed/supported/developed by USG; SOFTWARE: Barney - by Juergen Schmitz Cybergames - by Cyberpunk Developments database.library - by BetaSoft DescMaker - by Robert Bjorn FileDescEditor - by Mattias Palsson FilePather - by Johan Torin FPBase - by Johan Torin GoldFreq - by Jari Kanerva js_tools.library - by Juergen Schmitz JS_TOSS - by Juergen Schmitz MemMinister - by Marcus Ohlstrom Moby - by Centauri Software NetCall - by Alexander Stirmlinger Paintlab - by Centauri Software PhoneCall - by Frank Duerring & A. Stirmlinger PicReg - by Alberth Johansson PriMan - by Barry McConnell Project Manager - by TMB Software ptreplay.library - by BetaSoft UserEd - by Centauri Software UserRename - by Centauri Software STANDARDS: File Description Standard - by Peter Bornhall FilePather Standard - by Johan Torin Text Encapsulation Standard - by Johan Torin & Peter Bornhall --==>> How do you join USG? <<==-- First of all, joining USG is completely free of charge, and there is currently no reason to change this policy. As a member of USG, you are not required to do anything, so those who just feels that they want to support the idea should not be disencouraged. Also, USG allows entire development teams to join. To join USG, fill in the following information; Name - First and last name, or name of development team Address - Withheld from the public eye on request Country - Your country Born - Date of birth, optional E-mail - Any E-mail and/or netaddresses you have System - Platform and system you use Products - Information on any products you are developing Also, let us know if you are a developer, if you want to take active part in development, or if you are just supporting USG. If you are interested in becoming a betatester, enclose full details on your system setup and software. This information will then be sent to the betatester coordinator. Send your membership info to; Peter Bornhall 2:201/417.41@fidonet Back 5, Frammestad 8:102/104.41@usgnet S-46598 NOSSEBRO 39:164/104.41@amiganet SWEDEN email: bornhall@karkis.canit.se @End_of_text