Quality vendor sort NEITHER 1/2 FAST SOFTWARE, $HAREWARE MARKETING $YSTEMS, NOR ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CREATION, PRODUCTION, OR DELIVERY OF THIS PRODUCT SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS REPUTATION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, LOSS OF SANITY, AND THE LIKE) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR MISUSE OF OR INABILITY TO USE SUCH PRODUCT EVEN IF 1/2 FAST SOFTWARE OR $HAREWARE MARKETING $YSTEMS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. BECAUSE SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. SHOULD YOU RESIDE IN SUCH A PATERNALISTIC STATE, THEN YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY DELETE THIS FILE AND ALL COPIES OF THIS FILE, INCLUDING MODIFIED &OR PRINTED COPIES, IF ANY. I ALWAYS FEEL SO IMPERIOUS WHEN I WRITE IN ALL CAPS!!! <> Proliferate freely, but please leave in my copyright. Copyright Restrictions: For personal use only. This material may not be copied or sold for commercial purposes. Gunsmoke's Ratings are for personal educational use only. <<>> There follows a tabulation of shareware vendors from a Quality Assurance Engineer's point of view. This was compiled on Mar 16, 1992 (920316 in rational mode) from responses to the shareware disk SURVEY LAND YOURSELF. Please address all comments, changes, criticisms, corrections, and collaborations to: G. Smoke Qual. Ass. Engr. CAVE, Inc. « Fast Road Ritner, KY 42639 Ratings of shareware distributors are tabulated as follows: /----------------------------------------- Vendor name / /------------ State / / /-------- Responsivity / / / /------- Catalog quality / / / / /--- SMS rating / / / / / /-- DOLL Bad Example Shareware Technol CA D DDCE A 9109 Responsivity to this author- A=Confirms, lists the program, sends updated catalog, requests update B=Confirms, lists the program, sends updated catalog C=Lists the program, sends updated catalog, no confirmation D=Puts name on catalog mailing list, does not include program E=Catatonic, unresponsive F=Comatose, unresponsive twice G=Buzzard bait, unresponsive thrice I=Incomplete (2 month waiting period) P=PDUG dupe U=Ungraded X=Extinct Cat rates the catalog- 1 column, overall quality ABCDEFIX 2 column, catalog type Disk, Paper, Both 3 column, selection ABCDEFI 4 column, descriptors ABCDEFI where A=Excellent B=Good C=Middlin' D=Fair E=Poor F=Abysmal I=Incomplete (2 month waiting period) X=None SMS rating is ABC, and as far as I can tell, is an ophioleum index. DOLL=Date of Last Lifesign. Due to the asynchronicity of the modern publishing industry, various magazines dated "April, 1992" (9204) have arrived during Februrary and March. <<< ST=State or Province R=Responsivity to SURVEY LAND YOURSELF Cat=Catalog quality: overall,format,selection,descriptors $=Shareware Marketing System rating by Jim Hood DOLL= Date Of Last Lifesign; YrMo r=registrations attribited Sorted by Catalog Quality: Company ST R Cat $ DOLL r Public Software Library (PsL) TX B ABAA A 9112 | Computer Solutions FL D ADAA B 8811 Williams Software IN E ADAA A 9009 Mike Adams AZ X ADAA X 8810 Felton R. Bowden FL D ADAB A 9101 Software Distributors Clearin GA B ADAD C 9108 Public Brand Software IN B APAA A 9202 The Software Labs CA C APAA A 9202 * Galaxy Computers RI D APAA C 9002 Micro-Mart aka Pan World Intl NJ B BBBB B 9109 | Micro Technology NJ B BBBB A 9201 Mega Byte Technologies, Inc CO X BBBD X 9106 GRAEMATTER TX B BDBA B 9202 Finto Software TX B BDBA B 9202 Information Services CA B BDBB B 9201 US/PD Library TN B BDBB A 9109 House of Barlow FL B BDBB B 9111 State Home Products NC B BDBB B 9111 BEAR WARE CA B BDBB B 9202 Chesapeake Freeware MD B BDBB B 9202 DISK-COUNT DATA CA B BDBB A 9101 Mitchell Disk MA B BDBB B 9202 RVH Publications VA B BDBB B 9010 AAA Software FL B BDBB B 9111 TelResearch PA D BDBB B 9108 Underground Miracle CA D BDBB B 9006 Softhouse International CA E BDBB B 9202 Advantage Plus Software FL X BDBB X 9106 PrairieWare MT A BDBC A 9201 Omni Computer Svcs MI B BDBC B 9111 PC-SIG CA B BPAB A 9106 + Sizzleware LA B BPAC A 9102 + Gemini Marketing Inc WA E BPAD A 9201 + Computer Outlet FL B BPBB A 9203 Wagner Enterprises OH B BPBB A 9202 Shareware Outlet Inc. WA B BPBB A 9202 | Arnold Company TX B BPBB C 9112 Austsel Data Services NSW, B BPBB ? 9109 Big Byte Software TX B BPBB A 9107 | Prima Data CA B BPBB B 9012 | Pendragon Software Library RI C BPBB B 9201 | G.E.B. CA C BPBB C 9112 Best Bits and Bytes CA D BPBB A 9006 Rainbow Software CA D BPBB C 9109 PD Softwarehouse OR D BPBB B 9009 CWI Information Services CA E BPBB A 9112 Data Outlet Shareware GA F BPBB A 9202 Software International Exchan FL I BPBB B 9202 DASH Software CA X BPBB B 9003 Freeware Unlimited CA X BPBB B 9002 Sector Systems Company MA B BPBC B 9202 Paramount AZ B BPBC C 9108 RFR Enterprises MA E BPBC B 8810 Bright Futures Inc. CT F BPBC A 9201 Another Company OR A BPBD C 9202 + C.S.S./Computers, Software, S TX B BPBD B 9101 MDH Unlimited NC B BPBD B 9008 Comtec Software, Inc NJ C BPBD B 9006 MSCA/Marketing Svcs Corp of A WI D BPBD A 9202 PD Select, Inc NC B BPCB A 9103 | Mayer Enterprises OR B CBCC C 9111 Doctor's Bag, The CA B CDBC C 9109 #1 FreeWare PA D CDBD C 9108 SMJ Software IL F CDBD C 9108 Amsoft CO B CDCB C 9112 Kelstar OK B CDCB C 9202 Florida Shareware Company FL C CDCB A 9202 Adams Copyware MS D CDCB B 9201 BAC Marketing CA D CDCB B 9012 Software Service CT X CDCB X 9002 Winners Edge Computer (WECS) UT B CDCC C 9111 RKAY Software OH B CDCC B 9201 Enterprise Engineering IL B CDCC C 9111 Moonlighters International MI B CDCC C 9102 J&L Software Dist NY B CDCC C 9012 FutureTech NY B CDCC B 9012 Fortune Software LA B CDCC C 9111 JY Software NJ B CDCC C 9111 Digital Electronic Library TX B CDCC C 9001 | OFFshore Software, Inc AL C CDCC C 9203 Share-Net OK D CDCC B 9202 American Software TX D CDCC B 9104 T.P.S. Enterprises FL D CDCC C 9105 The Software Trader NY D CDCC C 9009 Telecode Software AZ D CDCC C 9006 A. G. Richardson & Associates ONT D CDCC C 9003 DATATMAX International, Inc CO E CDCC A 9104 JDX DCS CA X CDCC X 9105 Sharewarehouse CA X CDCC X 8812 Daniels Shareware WI B CDCD C 9112 S&G Computer Services VA B CDDB B 9108 The Datapak Library MO B CDDB B 9012 Geodesic Export Company CA E CDDB C 9202 Shareware Technologies FL B CDDC C 9107 AdTech Design Software TN B CDDD B 9111 Genesis PC-Ware MN D CDDD B 9107 SpecSoft OR D CDDD B 9101 B&E Software NH B CPBC B 9203 T&Z Software FL B CPBD B 9003 Hill Software Library PA D CPBD C 9107 H.S.B. Software TN D CPBD C 9101 Jane Software IL D CPBD C 9012 SOFTSHOPPE MI F CPBD A 9201 Nufax, New Information Exchan CA D CPBE C 9007 Beach Radio MA E CPBE B 9202 Gameking OH B CPCB I 9202 The Career Express WI B CPCB ? 9111 The PC Arcade CT B CPCB C 9104 | Rainbow AZ D CPCB C 8908 Reasonable Solutions OR F CPCB A 9109 HG Shareware OR B CPCC C 9112 Home Electronics, Inc. HEI ID B CPCC C 9107 LC Computer Lab MA B CPCC B 9107 Floppy Disk Express CA B CPCC B 9107 GoldenWare CA B CPCC C 9011 Esco Electronic Services ALTA B CPCC ? 9009 Princeton Software NJ B CPCC B 9012 B.L. Software Inc VA B CPCC C 9202 QualityWare GA B CPCC C 9009 Nearlyfree SD B CPCC C 9008 Shareware Plus CA C CPCC B 9203 F.W.G. Shareware FL D CPCC ? 9202 I. Leonard & Company HI D CPCC B 9009 MORE INPUT CA D CPCC C 9109 Atelier Software LA D CPCC C 9012 Pegasoft Systems NY D CPCC C 9101 Pilsl Software/Publishing OK D CPCC C 8908 Knowledge Software Company NC D CPCC B 8812 Liberty Software PA D CPCC B 8810 Paradise Software CA F CPCC B 9103 People's Choice TN F CPCC A 9002 B. Brusasca CA X CPCC C 9007 Rainware WA X CPCC X 9004 KWN Systems NJ B CPCD B 9201 | D&T FL B CPCD C 9104 JRC Software AZ D CPCD C 9202 GK Enterprises WI D CPCD C 9201 Duchek Computer Services MO D CPCD C 9103 Disks N Data NJ D CPCD B 9012 FRM/MARKWELL NV E CPCE C 9004 Coolware Softworks CA E CPDB C 9103 Data Image Software UT E CPDC B 9111 AccuSoft OH F CPDC B 9012 B.R.C. Software Library IL X CPDD B 9102 Infoshare MI B DBDD C 9109 QHS: Professional Services MD C DDBE B 9112 Action Software Co NC D DDBE C 9101 B.P.C. Computers OH E DDCD C 9007 Cabral's MA E DDCD C 9201 Segreto aka Solutions1 NJ B DDDB ? 9201 SSP Shareware Softw WA B DDDC A 9108 Terrence Bullock MO B DDDC C 9108 Automated Systems NJ E DDDC A 9009 Romy Informa Tech/RIT VA B DDDD C 9202 Gofer Software WV B DDDD B 9006 Chick-A-Dee Software MT D DDDD C 9012 Damon Enterprises Software GA D DDDD C 8912 Data Software AR D DDDD B 9007 Echo Disk Copy AL D DDDD C 8810 Data Factory, The AZ D DDDD C 8809 Southern Systems NC E DDDD B 8908 Computer Bin CA E DDDD C 8809 E.A.P. Co TX E DDDD B 8809 K.N.A. Sales MA B DPBD B 9102 Computer System Concepts FL X DPBF C 9012 American Freeware WA D DPCC B 9001 Computer Solutions NW MI D DPCC B 9005 Omnicom CA D DPCD C 9010 AP-JP Enterprises, Inc NY F DPCD C 9005 Software Safari NH E DPCE B 9101 American Computer Dynamics IL D DPCF B 9108 Pillows Software VA D DPDC B 9111 The Software House KY D DPDC C 9010 Gold Hill Software OR E DPDC A 9102 Direct Link Software IN E DPDC B 9012 Rumpelstiltskin Software MN F DPDC B 9107 High Tech Supply KS P DPDC C 9112 Shareware Express OR D DPDD A 9107 Gillen Software TX D DPDD B 9101 M.P.R. AR D DPDD C 9101 Zollie's Software Warehouse TN D DPDD C 9010 SMC Software Publishers CA D DPDD I 9007 PC Enterprises ONT D DPDD ? 8911 Murphy Group, Inc GA D DPDD C 8909 D & K Software IL D DPDD C 9005 PD Software TX D DPDD C 9003 Dakota Micro Management SD E DPDD B 9103 The Software Shoppe MA E DPDD B 8901 Software Excitement!, Inc OR F DPDD A 9203 Quikthinking Software NJ F DPDD B 9109 Public Domain Users Group FL F DPDD C 9001 Micro Star/Star West Software CA G DPDD B 9011 Raymond Enterprises CA P DPDD X 9107 D. & V. Software Distributors AR P DPDD B 9103 PT Programs FL P DPDD U 9101 A&T Software OK P DPDD C 9012 FROG Farm MI P DPDD B 9005 Day Computer Services MD P DPDD I 9005 Mid Tennessee Software Servic TN U DPDD C 8905 Homefront Software OR U DPDD C 8812 Software Plus MO U DPDD C 8810 AGBSoft NY X DPDD C 9106 SFUG, PDUG, Key-Ware FL X DPDD X 9009 Software Network OK X DPDD X 8903 California Freeware [PC Plus CA X DPDD B 9005 Morning Star Industry MI X DPDD X 8810 L&L Enterprises NC D DPEC C 9004 Koala Enterprises LA D DPED C 9101 Back of Beyond CO D EDEE C 9003 C&PM FL D EPED C 9201 ACL/Alhuda Computer Lab CA I FP A 9202 Computer Solutions MI D FPDD A 9001 Best Deal Computer Software NM D FPED C 9012 Bright Idea! Software CA C D I 9203 Discount Microcomputer UT D D I 9202 Serendipity Systems CA B I 9103 Scanlon Enterprises CA C I B 9202 Crazy Horse ONT B I B 9111 Accessible Software IL C I C 9112 Computer Hut FL C I B 9109 Simply Software FL C I A 9109 C.G.C. Enterprises Incorporat BC D I I 9201 J/K Software Inc. UT D I A 9201 PC Shareware CA D I A 9109 PD Connection OH E I A 9112 ALDE PUBLISHING aka ISLO TECH MN E I B 9112 Act IV Software, Inc MI E I ? 9202 BDC Enterprises OK E I C 9111 CALOKE MO E I B 9202 E.W. Sales OH E I C 9202 Egres Systems, Inc NJ E I C 9201 EMS Professional Libraries MD E I A 9111 Marion's NY E I C 9202 Ranger Software FL E I C 9202 Z's Different Software MA E I C 9202 Computer Allware CA I I I 9202 C-Ware Limited WI I I I 9202 Chief's Software KY I I B 9201 Lektronic Bookcase~The IL I I I 9201 Shareware Distribution Servic IL I I I 9112 Doctor J's AZ I I I 9202 DRC Software FL I I I 9203 Freebooter Software OR I I A 9108 Galaxy Software IL I I I 9203 Generic Computer Systems CA I I A 9202 JCSoft ME I I I 9202 SECCO NC I I I 9202 Shark Software UT I I I 9202 Software Express AL I I I 9202 Software Twenty Twenty VA I I I 9202 Stancom GA I I B 9108 Summa International CA I I C 9108 Tech Compuware IL I I I 9203 Texas Star Distributors TX I I C 9203 Vally Discount Software WI I I I 9202 Southern Enterprises VA I ID I 9201 Shop Supply House NM B O 9109 | The Shareware Report OH D O I 9111 SoftWareHouse DE Y O B 9111 Tsunami Software CA B X B 9112 PAC Bus. Syst. Svcs & Softwar NJ C X C 9202 SouthWest ShareWare AZ E X B 9108 Abacus Software UT E X C 9108 Shamrock Affordable Software PA E X C 9107 Practical Motivation Associat AZ E X C 9202 All American Computer Service FL E X C 9105 Frugalware PA E X C 9103 Soft A'Ware CA E X A 9103 Gemini Software Canada Ltd P.Q. E X 9103 Computer Bug PA E X A 9011 Robert Marencin PA E X X 9007 Share Plus NY E X B 8810 $ave On $oftware PA E X A 9101 | AFM Enterprises MA E X B 9107 American Software? Exchange AL E X B 8910 B.E. FL E X B 9101 Babylon Shareware CA E X B 9001 Best Computer Supplies CA E X C 9201 Big Apple Shareware FL E X B 9108 BTS FL E X B 9104 Buffalo Shareware NY E X C 9101 Bullseye Distributing TN E X C 9111 CD-Tech QUE E X I 9109 Central Micro Solutions OH E X B 8911 Christella Enterprise MI E X B 9105 Compatible Data MA E X B 9107 CompuAde TN E X B 9201 Cross-Roads Shareware TX E X A 9012 CSS TX E X C 9109 D.C. Ware DC E X C 9102 Dynamic Electronics, Inc AL E X C 9103 Eagle Supplies MA E X C 9109 Eb's Software & Supply AK E X C 9110 EM Empire TX E X C 9101 FireCrystal Communications PA E X B 9105 Fisher Systems SC E X C 9002 Florida PC Library FL E X B 9101 Forest Neocom Corporation CA E X B 9012 Geological Shareware WA E X C 9101 Goldstar Software MD E X B 9105 Gospel Electronics WA E X B 9009 Heaven VA E X I 9110 Hofermark IL E X C 9202 J&J Enterprises AZ E X C 9107 Janis' PA E X C 9107 KASCO Systems PA E X B 9108 Ken Mikolaj OH E X C 8911 King Charlie Software GA E X B 9012 Knowledge Technology CT E X C 9109 Krager Enterprises CA E X C 9012 LARA-SOFT MA E X C 9012 Lighthouse VA E X B 8912 McElwrath Systems MO E X B 9111 Micro-Tech USA WA E X I 9201 Most Significant Bits OH E X B 9111 MR Enterprises MO E X C 9107 New England Software Library VT E X A 9105 NOAD Software PA E X B 9106 P.C. WORX TX E X C 9107 Peter T NY E X C 9110 Power User Software PA E X A 9105 Prestige International IN E X C 9009 Pro$oft AZ E X B 9107 Public Domain Castle CA E X C 9104 Rainbow Microsystems NY E X C 9101 Rareware IN E X B 9006 Robert Petrillo NY E X C 9012 Rockware MI E X B 9108 S&A Network Corp MA E X C 9105 Sagamore Software IN E X C 9111 SDI TX E X C 9109 Select Software VA E X B 9105 SHAR-IT CA E X B 9111 Share Marketing OK E X C 9109 Sharewareplus WI E X B 9107 Shiner Shareware MD E X C 9105 Soda Pop SW WI E X C 9103 Softlink ME E X B 9201 Star Vector Software WA E X B 9202 Starlite Shareware FL E X B 9012 Sucha Deal OR E X B 9012 Sunshine Software Services CA E X C 9104 T.S.C.C. PA E X C 9107 Th & S ONT E X ? 9102 The Shareware Gallery IN E X B 9101 The Simple Series NH E X A 9108 The Software Shoppe NC E X C 9011 Thomas Wochna TN E X C 9104 Triple S Software CA E X 9004 Unicorn Computing VA E X B 8911 WMJ Data and Shareware SC E X C 9107 Software USA OK F X B 9007 The Software Mint CA F X X 9005 Tech Staff MA F X C 9007 Phoenix Data Systems, Inc LA F X C 9012 A>PROMPT Software LA F X B 9008 ABC Software MO F X B 9101 Acorn Computerware MS F X C 9101 AFL Industries /PBS TN F X B 9101 Atech Software FL F X B 9007 Blue Parrot International CA F X A 9004 Bonware PA F X A 9010 Bytehead IL F X B 9005 Circuit Software Co. TN F X B 9012 Computer gear KS F X B 9012 Computers and More MI F X B 9008 Copycat Data Systems NY F X C 9000 Cranston Software MN F X B 9012 Disks O'Plenty Inc. FL F X B 9003 Dragon's Hoard Software ONT F X ? 9005 E.J. Kim CA F X C 9003 Electra Byte ME F X B 9111 Greater MidWest Micro Source/ MN F X C 9202 | METCO UT F X B 9007 Northern Micro Systems MT F X B 9012 P.M. Enterprises MA F X B 9202 Panda Tech WV F X B 9009 Power Products TX F X B 9008 PROWARE NJ F X B 9102 RDS Software CA F X C 9004 Sarian Software WI F X B 9111 SOFSOURCE MI F X B 9005 SoftSearch Unlimited OK F X B 9008 Spindle Enterprises SC F X B 9001 | Sviss Gnome GA F X C 9107 Synchronous Solutions NY F X B 9007 The Programming Force FL F X C 9108 Austin Prosoft TX G X A 9011 Fairshare WA G X C 9006 | MICKIR Computer Systems TX X X X 9105 3S, Compuware Inc CA X X X 9002 Mr. Nick's Software FL X X X 8911 Ultimate Shareware NE X X X 8903 Halsystems OK X X X 8812 Secorp, Inc MA X X X 8811 Sofsource IN X X X 8809 Aamadeus TX X X B 8911 Alpha Omega Software TX X X B 9010 ECKWARE MO X X B 9005 F2S Enterprises TX X X X 9003 KEY-WARE SC X X X 9012 Kira Software TX X X X 9001 KW TIMM ONT X X X 9011 Mountain Top TX X X X 9005 Peyton's Place Computers AL X X X 9008 Software Shopper NC X X X 9011 Software Unlimited CT X X X 8911 Softwares QUE X X X 9012 Better Software AL D XPXX B 9004 SGI Software CA X XXXX C 9107 Coming soon; Gunsmoke assesses the vendors' warranties!