About the Educational Software Cooperative The Educational Software Cooperative (ESC) was organized in the Fall of 1992. It was organized as a forum for educational shareware authors to help each other. Educational shareware is one of the most popular categories of shareware but has one of the lowest registration rates. Also, people who purchase educational shareware normally purchase lots of it. Because of this, these authors had nothing to loose and much to gain by forming an organization to share ideas for distribution, advertising, and sales. As an added benefit, this provides a service to society. Education levels are declining in the USA and ESC Authors are proud to help do their part to solve this problem. Shareware Vendors/Dealers and BBS Operators are now allowed to have equal membership in the ESC. The ESC currently has over 40 members and over 100 programs in their ESC Shareware Package. The ESC Shareware Package is a collection of all the ESC member's shareware products. These programs can be purchased by sending $30.00 to: Educational Software Cooperative PO BOX 575 Siloam Springs, AR 72761 This CD contains approximately 100 programs with all the ESC software uncompressed and ready to run. Dealers who want to distribute ESC shareware will find this an easy and economical way to acquire the software. The ESC currently publishes a Newsletter approximately bimonthly. This newsletter contains articles written by ESC members along with tips and suggestions for better ways to write and market software. In the newsletter you'll find a list of Dealers who purchased the ESC Shareware Package so the authors can keep track of who is distributing their software, and a list of new program additions and updates to the package so the dealer members can keep track of the latest software. The ESC now has it's own section on CompuServe so it's members can communicate directly with customers, and to each other. This new section became active 1 June 1993 and is Section 2 of the EDFORUM. The official grand opening is set for a latter date this fall. The ESC authors are required to place in their registration packages a one-page flyer that lists all the ESC software and Dealer Member addresses. This flyer also has information that customers can use to order an ESC Catalog/Coupon book that contains lots of coupons for discounts on the purchase of Author Member's software. Dealer Members are also allowed to advertise in this catalog. Soon the ESC expects to start discussions on developing some standards for Educational Shareware. This will be their way of helping to improve the quality of shareware. The ESC annual membership dues are $25.00. This fee is used to cover the cost of operations. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Educational Software Cooperative Membership Application Name: _________________________________ Company Name: _________________________ Address: _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ Daytime phone: ________________________ CompuServe User ID#: __________________ Please check one: ____ Author List of programs written: _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ Please also send distribution copies of your shareware so we can include them in our distribution package. ____ Shareware Dealer (or Vendor) ____ BBS Operator ____ Other Please include the $25.00 annual membership fee. Make check payable to: Educational Software Cooperative PO BOX 575 Siloam Springs, AR 72761