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S H O W P A R T N E R L I T E Version 3.7
FILE SHARWARE.DOC 6 Sept 1991
Shareware and the ASP
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Copyright 1985-1991 by Brightbill-Roberts & Co. All rights reserved.
┌─────────┐
┌─────┴───┐ │ (R)
──│ │o │──────────────────
│ ┌─────┴╨──┐ │ Association of
│ │ │─┘ Shareware
└───│ o │ Professionals
──────│ ║ │────────────────────
└────╨────┘ MEMBER
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Brightbill-Roberts & Co. │ Phone: (800) 444-3490 │
│ 421 University Building │ Fax: (315) 472─1732 │
│ 120 East Washington Street │ BBS: (315) 472─1058 │
│ Syracuse, NY 13202-4000 │ Compuserve: 75300,363 │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
INTRODUCTION.
This file, SHARWARE.DOC, contains information about the Shareware concept of
software marketing (try before you buy), and the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP). You can print this file by COPYing it to your printer
with the following DOS command:
COPY SHARWARE.DOC PRN
The file already contains form feeds at a page spacing of approximately 57
vertical lines, therefore it is not advisable to use a program that contols the
lines-per-page count.
THE SHAREWARE CONCEPT
If you are familiar with the idea behind Shareware, then you know that
Shareware is the ultimate in money back guarantees.
Most money back guarantees work like this: You pay for the product and then
have some period of time to try it out and see whether or not you like it. If
you don't like it or find that it doesn't do what you need, you return it
(undamaged) and at some point - which might take months - you get your money
back. Some software companies won't even let you try their product! In order
to qualify for a refund, the diskette envelope must have an unbroken seal.
With these "licensing" agreements, you only qualify for your money back if you
haven't tried the product. How absurd!
Shareware is very different. With Shareware you get to try it for a limited
time, without spending a penny. If you decide not to continue using it, you
throw it away and forget all about it.
Software authors who use the Shareware method of distribution feel that
Shareware is the best way to try a product. You are able to try it on your own
system(s), in your own special work environment, with no sales people looking
over your shoulder. Have you ever purchased a car and realized that if you
could have test driven it for 30 days your purchase decision might have been
different? With Shareware these problems can be avoided, you DO have a 30
day test-drive!
After trying a Shareware product and deciding to continue to use it, then and
only then do you pay for it. Not only that, but Shareware is traditionally
MUCH less expensive simply because you are paying for the software, not the
advertising and marketing that comprises the majority of the cost of most
software (a one page ad in PC Magazine, one time, can cost upwards of $20,000).
If the try-before-you-buy concept sounds like an ideal way to make your
purchase decisions, you're right!
Some companies burden their products with annoying copy protection schemes
because they don't trust their users. Shareware developers not only don't use
copy protection, they freely distribute their products because they DO trust
their users.
Someone once said that you should never trust software which doesn't trust you.
This makes a lot of sense - no wonder Shareware is becoming so popular among
users and developers.
Shareware is a distribution method, NOT a type of software. Shareware is
produced by accomplished programmers, just like retail software. There is good
and bad Shareware, just as there is good and bad retail software. The primary
difference between Shareware and retail software is that with Shareware you
know if it's good or bad BEFORE you pay for it. Registration of Shareware
products, in addition to being required, is also an incentive for programmers
to continue to produce quality software for the Shareware market.
There is another significant advantage to Shareware - it allows small companies
like mine to make software available without the hundreds of thousands of
dollars in expenses that it takes to launch a traditional retail software
product. There are many programs on the market today which would never have
become available without the Shareware marketing method. Please show your
support for Shareware by registering those programs you actually use and by
passing them on to others. Thank you for your support!
THE VIRUS PROBLEM
We've all heard the horror stories about computer viruses. Unfortunately, we
have also heard lots of conflicting statistics and opinions. When it comes to
the virus problem there is a lot of confusion among users and even developers.
One of the most interesting myths that has been promulgated is that BBSs
(Bulletin Board Systems) and Shareware programs are a major source of virus
infections. Realize that one of the most prominent virus detection systems is
distributed as Shareware. Some corporations are now afraid of Shareware and
BBS activity because of this misinformation.
In the October 11, 1988 issue of PC Magazine, publisher Bill Machrone's
editorial was entitled "Shareware or Scareware?". In his article, Bill
Machrone points out "The truth is that all major viruses to date were
transmitted by commercial [retail] packages and private mail systems." There
have been seventeen (17) major incidents of virus and trojan horse problems in
retail software. Some of these incidents affected tens of thousands of users.
What about Shareware? To date there has been one case of a shareware author
shipping an infected product. The virus was detected by the disk vendors and
the problem was corrected immediately. No users were infected.
"But it makes sense that programs which are passed around have a greater chance
of virus infections, doesn't it?" Think about it. Who has the most to lose if
viruses were spread by BBSs and Shareware programs? The BBS operators,
Shareware disk vendors and the Shareware authors, of course. Because of this,
reputable BBS operators, disk vendors and Shareware authors are very careful
with the programs they handle.
Hundreds (even thousands) of BBS operators and disk vendors are carefully
examining the programs they receive and distribute. Their business depends on
it. This means that any given Shareware program can go through hundreds (even
thousands) of checkpoints where the program is carefully examined. If a
problem is found the word spreads incredibly fast. Programs have disappeared
almost overnight as a result of this highly efficient communication network.
Bill Machrone's article in PC Magazine goes on to say "It's time to recognize
that there's nothing to fear in shareware. As a distribution medium, it saves
you money and helps you try out new genres of software with minimum risk."
Sure, the virus problem is real. Virii exist. But shunning Shareware is not
the answer. Shareware and BBSs are, quite simply, NOT a major source of virus
infections. Some corporations have even banned Shareware entirely because of
fear of infections. This is not only unreasonable, it is also expensive.
Think how much they could save in software costs if they would only try
software before they buy it!
Is there anything you can do to help protect yourself from virus infections?
Absolutely! Fortunately, the best preventive measures are also the least
expensive!
If you need informative, accurate and practical information, please read the
treatise on "Computer Virus Myths" written by Rob Rosenberger and Ross M.
Greenberg. This treatise is available as a text file on many BBSs and online
services. It not only gives you the facts, it also provides the best overall
strategy for protecting your computer system.
Don't let fear stop you from saving money on software. Don't let fear prevent
you from trying some of the best software available. Shareware is an important
market for software. Take advantage of it. You'll be glad you did!
THE ASSOCIATION OF SHAREWARE PROFESSIONALS (ASP)
┌─────────┐
┌─────┴───┐ │ (R)
──│ │o │──────────────────
│ ┌─────┴╨──┐ │ Association of
│ │ │─┘ Shareware
└───│ o │ Professionals
──────│ ║ │────────────────────
└────╨────┘ MEMBER
In the early days of Shareware there were no real standards. Independent
authors had no efficient way to learn from each other or to work together to
improve the overall image of Shareware. There was no system in place to ensure
that users were treated fairly and professionally. There was no way for users
to find an address for an author who had moved. In short, the Shareware
community was disorganized and each author did things the way he or she thought
was best. It was clear that if Shareware was ever to become a viable and
respected marketing alternative, there had to be some standardization. There
had to be some guidelines to best serve the users.
In 1987 a handful of Shareware authors founded the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP). In forming this industry association, these Shareware
authors had several primary goals in mind, including:
. To inform users about Shareware programs and about Shareware as a method of
distributing and marketing software.
. To foster a high degree of professionalism among Shareware authors by
setting programming, marketing, and support standards for ASP members to
follow.
. To encourage broader distribution of Shareware through user groups and disk
dealers who agree to identify and explain the nature of Shareware.
. To assist members in marketing their software.
. To provide a forum through which ASP members may communicate, share ideas,
and learn from each other.
The Association of Shareware Professionals worked together to draft a code of
ethics for all present and future members. This code of ethics included
several requirements that soon became very popular among users (customers),
including:
. A member's program (evaluation version) could not be limited (crippled) in
any way. In the true spirit of Try-Before-You-Buy, users must be able to
evaluate all the features in a program before paying the registration fee.
. Members must respond to every registration. At the very least they must
send a receipt for the payment.
. Members must provide technical support for their products for at least 90
days from the date of registration.
A new system was put in place to help ensure that users were treated fairly and
professionally. If a user was unable to resolve a problem with a member author
then the user could contact the ASP Ombudsman with their complaint. The
Ombudsman would then try to help resolve the dispute. For more complete
details regarding the Ombudsman, please refer to the "ASP Ombudsman Statement"
below.
The ASP currently (November, 1990) has about 300 author members and almost 200
vendor members, with new members joining every week.
CONTACTING ASP MEMBERS VIA COMPUSERVE
There is an easy and convenient way to speak directly to many ASP Members (both
authors and vendors). Visit the Shareware forum on CompuServe. Simply type
"GO SHAREWARE" from any CompuServe ! prompt.
Here you will be able to talk to the authors of your favorite Shareware
programs, learn about other programs, ask questions, make suggestions, and much
more. We'd love to meet you online, please come visit us today!
AUTHOR ADDRESS CHANGES
People move. Forwarding orders expire. What can you do?
"I got a copy of a Shareware program written by an ASP Member.
I sent in the registration fee and the post office returned my
letter saying that it was undeliverable. Now what do I do?"
If the author has moved then chances are very good that you have an old version
of the program. This is another situation that the ASP can help you to
resolve. ASP Members are required to keep the ASP informed of address changes.
If you need to obtain the current address for a member, simply write to the
following address:
Jan Abbott - Executive Director
Association of Shareware Professionals
545 Grover Road
Muskegon, MI 49442-9427
or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe MAIL to ASP Executive Director
72050,1433.
ASP OMBUDSMAN STATEMENT
This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the Shareware principle works
for you. If you are unable to resolve a Shareware-related problem with an ASP
member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP
Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but
does not provide technical support for members' products.
Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at:
ASP Ombudsman
Association of Shareware Professionals
545 Grover Road
Muskegon, MI 49442-9427
or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe MAIL to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.
The OMB may be contacted by FAX by sending to the ASP FAX number: (616)
788-2765. In communication with the OMB please include a telephone number
and/or FAX if available.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you would like to learn more about the Shareware phenomenon, there are
several excellent sources of additional information. Two of the best books ever
written about Shareware are described below. An OUTSTANDING book:
Dr. File Finder's Guide to Shareware
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Mike Callahan and Nick Anis
Foreword by John C. Dvorak
Includes One 5 1/4" Disk with Dr. File Finder's Favorite Shareware Programs:
Qmodem 4.2, BackMail 1.10, dCOM 3.44, and many more.
For All IBM PC & Compatibles.
"[Mike's] book distills thousands of hours of his online
search for the crown jewels of Shareware into one usable
guide. As such, it may be the most valuable computer book
you'll ever buy."
--Jack Rickard, Publisher, Boardwatch Magazine
"No one combines Dr. File Finder's comprehensive knowledge of
the Shareware genre with his good taste in software. This is
sure to be the definitive place to look for insight and
program information."
--Barry Simon, Former President of the Association of
Shareware Professionals, PC Magazine Columnist, and
Coauthor of Stackey, Batutil, and Ctrlalt
"GREAT! Every PC user will find something of value within
these pages. This book will save you a bundle."
--Alfred Glossbrenner
"If I were going to buy only one computer book, this would be
it."
--Tom Scott, Publisher, Telecomputing Magazine
Nobody knows Shareware like the illustrious Dr. File Finder, known off line as
Mike Callahan. Now, in Dr. File Finder's Guide to Shareware, you can learn
about dozens of leading Shareware programs, including where and how to get
them. In the true spirit of Shareware, this book/disk package includes a disk
full of top programs that you can try out yourself before registering. Send in
the card at the back of the book and you'll get two additional disks with more
software.
About the Authors:
Mike Callahan, AKA Dr. File Finder, is the world's leading
authority on Shareware. He regularly accesses thousands of
bulletin board systems and has been a major force in promoting
many of the top Shareware packages. Callahan has spent
several years and thousands of hours helping people around the
world learn more about Shareware.
Nick Anis is the coauthor of several acclaimed best-sellers in
the Dvorak*Osborne imprint, including Dvorak's Guide to PC
Telecommunications, Dvorak's Guide to Desktop
Telecommunications, and Glossbrenner's Complete Hard Disk
Handbook.
$39.95, ISBN: 0-07-881646-7, 950 pp. 7 3/8 X 9 1/4
AVAILABLE NOW AT YOUR LOCAL BOOK OR COMPUTER STORE
OR CALL TOLL-FREE 1-800-227-0900 (M-F, 8:30 - 4:30 PST)
SHAREWARE: "TRY BEFORE YOU BUY" SOFTWARE
Perhaps you've read Rob Rosenberger's well known and highly acclaimed treatise
on the computer virus problem. If you liked that article then you'll love his
excellent book on Shareware. This book is a must for anyone who is interested
in Shareware, what to look for (and look out for), and where to find it. In
this book, shareware author and writer Rob Rosenberger delves into the very
heart of Shareware, telling you who developed the concept and why.
You'll know why these programs: * undercut the price of retail software *
helped bring down the use of copy protection schemes * receive numerous
editorial and reader survey awards * generate more sales than retail software
in some cases * make retail OS/2 software developers so nervous * are falsely
accused of spreading computer "viruses".
Rob shows you where you can find good Shareware. You'll learn to beware of
companies that make money by abusing the "try before you buy" concept. And
you'll discover where Shareware is heading in the near future.
"A lot of good books devote just one or two chapters to the
concept and history of Shareware. I'm pleased to say there is
finally a reference book on the subject."
--Jim Button, cofounder of the Shareware concept
"It's filled with accurate information for anyone who wants to
learn about one of the most significant sources of high-
quality software."
--Edward Mendelson, contributing editor, PC Magazine
Here's all the information you need to obtain your copy of this outstanding
book:
Shareware: "Try Before You Buy" Software
by Rob Rosenberger
Third Edition
Only $6.95!
Paradise Publishing Phone: (800) 233-2451
3111 S. Valley View Blvd.
Suite B-105
Las Vegas, NV 89102
END OF FILE SHARWARE.DOC