Collection of Tools & Utilities/Collection of Tools and Utilities.iso/bbsutil/aspbbs.zip/BBSRULES.TXT

Text File | 1991-01-11 | 6KB | 134 lines

Association of Shareware Professionals Approved BBS Standards as of
01/01/91.

1.0.  Introduction

This document sets forth standards for an Electronic Bulletin Board
System (BBS) to receive and maintain an "Approved" status from the
Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP).

2.0.  Receiving and Maintaining ASP Approved Status

In order for a BBS to receive and maintain ASP Approved status, the
following standards must be met:

2.1.  The BBS operator (SYSOP) must fill out an application form stating
his/her willingness to abide by ASP standards set forth in the document
and applying for Associate membership in the ASP.

2.2.  The SYSOP must allow for initial and follow-up access to the BBS
for the purpose of verifying compliance with ASP standards.  The SYSOP
will provide a specific access name and password on the application for
use by an ASP inspector.  This will be used only for official ASP
business and will be kept strictly confidential by the ASP. This "user"
must have normal access given to BBS users or subscibers.  It must allow
access to all functions and download libraries that contain shareware.
Access to special message, software support, and areas reserved for
private purposes is not required.

2.3.  The SYSOP will be given a warning if he/she fails to meet one or
more of the standards.  If the problem is not rectified in a reasonable
time, the ASP Approved status and Associate membership will be
withdrawn.

2.4.  If ASP membership ceases for any reason, the BBS must cease using
the ASP name and trademarked logo in any way.  Other benefits of
membership will also cease.

2.5.  The principals of the BBS are held to the decisions of the ASP
Ombudsman and are required to cooperate with the Ombudsman when
approached by him/her.

2.5.1.  Background on the Ombudsman:

The Ombudsman's sole role is to mediate disputes between all ASP members
(Authors and associate members alike) and their customers.  The
Ombudsman reports to the board situations where he feels board action or
knowlege is appropriate.

3.0.  Shareware Information on the BBS.

3.1.  The BBS must maintain bulletins or other informative banners readable
by all who access the BBS that explain what shareware is and who the ASP is.
Files of the suggested ASCII text of these bulletins will be sent to
approved BBSs when they are notified of their approval.

3.2.  The file listings of the BBS must have a short identification of ASP
member programs.  The notation "<ASP>" is recommended at the end of the
program description  although other methods might be equally suitable.



4.0.  Other Requirements.

4.1.  The use of the terms "FREE SOFTWARE" and the like must not be used
in conjuction with any shareware products.

4.2.  An ASP Approved BBS must not knowingly post for downloading
software that is illegal for distribution in this manner.  Any such
software must be immediately removed when found.  This includes
retail-only products as well as any other copyrighted material
(including shareware) that is restricted from distribution by the author
or copyright owner.

4.3.  SYSOPs will not change or delete ANY files supplied with the
program unless specifically authorized in the author's documentation or
with the author's prior authorization.  Archiving files for downloading
is encouraged.  All files supplied by the author must be contained in
the archive(s).

4.4.  The BBS will cease distributing out-of-date versions of ASP member
programs if requested by the author.  ASP authors are encouraged to put
this and other specific requests in a file BBS.DOC or VENDOR.DOC as part
of the author's software package.

5.0.  BBS Approval process.

5.1.  Upon submission of the application form, an assignee of the ASP
will log onto the BBS to certify compliance with the standards set forth
in sections 3 and 4 above.  If any deficiencies are found, the SYSOP
will be notified and a second check may follow after appropriate fixes
are made.  A recommendation will be made to the ASP board for approval
or disapproval and the SYSOP will be notified of the results.

5.2.  Appeal of these results may be made by the SYSOP directly to the
board of the ASP.



6.0.  Benefits of being an ASP Approved BBS

A BBS which receives "ASP Approved" status will receive the following
benefits:

6.1.  ASP members will be encouraged to send updated disks or uploads to
approved BBSs.  The mailing list of Approved BBSs will be made available
to all ASP member authors.

6.2.  Approved BBSs may use "ASP Approved BBS", "Approved BBS of the
Association of Shareware Professionals", or the ASP Approved BBS logo.

6.3.  Approved BBSs will regularly receive a list of the current version
numbers of ASP member's programs.  This will be available free from the
ASP sections on Compuserve (normal Compuserve costs will apply) or for
an annual fee of $30/year a monthly update on disk will be mailed.

6.4.  Approved BBSs will receive the printed ASP Newsletter, "ASPects".

6.5.  Approved BBSs will also benefit by ASP publicity in which readers
will be told to look for ASP Approved BBSs.

6.6.  Approved BBSs will be Associate members in the ASP. This is a
non-voting member status.

6.7.  Approved BBSs will benefit from the public relations aspects of
the institution of Ombudsman.

6.8.  Approved BBSs will be listed in a register of ASP Approved BBSs
distributed to members and other interested parties.

7.0.  A special category of ASP Author BBS allows ASP Author members to
post the "ASP Approved BBS" wording or logo on support BBSs.  The
benefits described in points 6.1, 6.3, 6.4, and 6.8 above will not
apply.  There is no charge for this category of member.