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SDN INTERNATIONAL(sm)
The Shareware Distribution Network
Shareware Author Kit - Revision #12
Guidelines for Shareware Author's Participation
Published from The SDN Project, April 20th 1996
(c)Copyright 1996 Ray L. Kaliss - The SDN Project
http://www.pcnet.com/~kaliss/sdn.html
The SDN Project BBS 1-203-634-0370
Fidonet 1:141/840
kaliss@sdn.com
Shareware Author Kit Revision 12 - April 20th 1996
-= Copyright Notice =-
This document is Copyright The SDN Project 1996, and the property
of Ray L. Kaliss as The SDN Project. It is intended as
guidelines for Shareware authors submitting for distribution via
SDN International. This document may be copied unmodified for
that purpose only.
Official Policy is formulated by SDN International and published
at The SDN Project Bulletin Board in Meriden, CT, U.S.A.
1-203-634-0370. Policy and information at The SDN Project BBS
supersedes policy in circulation or of earlier date.
SDN, The SDN Project, and the service mark of SDN International
are Copyright 1989-1996 by Ray L. Kaliss and can not be used with
out express written permission. Files distributed by SDN are
copyright by their respective authors. SDN's packaging format and
SDN.ID format are copyrighted by Ray L. Kaliss.
-= Distribution and Posting Notice =-
SDN International offers distribution services, eventual posting
for downloading at networks and sites are decisions of the
respective site management.
SDN reserves the right to refuse software of morally offense,
questionable legality and poor quality. SDN is not responsible
for technical problems existing at destination sites.
Contents Chapter
-------- -------
SDN International - Who We Are...................... 1
The BBS Sysop........................... 1.1
The Online Moderator.................... 1.2
The Internet Site....................... 1.3
The Shareware Author.................... 1.4
Increased Registrations............................. 2
Distribution Services............................... 3
Commercial Service...................... 3.1
Personal Service........................ 3.2
Demo Service............................ 3.3
Public Service.......................... 3.4
What You Can And Can Not Submit..................... 4
Submission Format....................................5
SDNMaker Utility........................ 5.1
Submitting By Postal Mail............... 5.2
Electronic Submissions.................. 5.3
Public Service Uploads.................. 5.4
Obtaining Current Information....................... 6
EMail To SDN........................................ 7
The SDNews! Letter.................................. 8
Appendices............................................
File Naming Conventions................... A
CDROM Publishers.......................... B
Other Services For Authors................ C
......................................................
Quotes...
"SDN is the shareware author's best kept secret."
- Author -
1. SDN INTERNATIONAL - WHO WE ARE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SDN, the Shareware Distribution Network, distributes shareware
programs for the DOS, Windows(tm) and the OS/2(tm) operating
systems, to amateur and commercial posting services. From it's
hobby beginning in January 1989, with only a few hundred
independent bulletin boards and less than 100 authors, SDN's
distribution extent has grown yearly. Today, it's distribution is
world wide and encompasses thousands of bulletin boards, two
satellites, commercial online services, CDROM publishers, and
Internet sites. SDN embodies a concept of author, sysop, and user
cooperation in the shareware concept. SDN represents good people
of cooperation that make it effective. It was the first
electronic distribution network and remains the largest. Our
distribution in Fidonet remains a free public service.
Shareware programs distributed by SDN are the copyrighted works of
their respective authors and are submitted by the author or
publisher. Programs are compressed into downloadable zip format,
security sealed for tamper-proofing and authentication, then
distributed to cooperating sites.
Our effectiveness has been proven. We are used by ASP, STAR, ESC,
and ASAD members, and many independent shareware authors. SDN has
received mention in past issues of PC Computing, BYTE, Computer
Craft, Boardwatch magazine, and numerous newspaper articles.
The SDN Project is entirely author supported. We do not sell
disks, CDROMs or charge receiving sites for our services.
1.1 The BBS Sysop
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you were a sysop of a bulletin board and your choices were to
stock your file areas with user's mystery uploads that need manual
inspection, testing, virus scanning, and a guess at the integrity
- or to stock your file areas by automation with the author-direct
pipeline and security of SDN... which would you choose?
In Fidonet, with utilities readily available, SDN distributions
can be automatically received, tested, and posted. File listings
are updated with descriptions and the enclosed SDN.ID can be
posted as an arrival announcement.
1.2 The Online Moderator
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On commercial services, moderators manage custom forums or special
interest groups. They choose what files to include in the forum
libraries from users uploads. Because they are part of a
commercial enterprise, they and the service, can face legal
liability for programs posted. Because of SDN's quality,
security, and the author's agreement to criteria of content, SDN
distributed files are often preferred and trusted over user
uploads. SDN is a recognized distributor of quality shareware.
1.3 The Internet Site
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
With the freedom and unaccountability of today's Internet
connections, Internet sites appreciate the ability to verify SDN
distributions. An SDN arranged upload to a cooperating Internet
site is not a mystery file being submitted by an anonymous, it is
a quality shareware program, traceable directly to the author,
verifiable, and ready for posting.
1.4 The Shareware Author
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As a shareware author or publisher, which distribution method do
you prefer to rely your registration opportunities on? Unsecured
and chance users uploading (users osmosis), or organized and
secured distribution designed for coverage?
Hours of thought, programming and debugging went into each of your
program version. Your distribution and marketing efforts should
take the least time away from programming, yet be as effective as
possible. Sending your programs off to SDN for distribution takes
only a few minutes and allows you to minimize the time spent
distributing while maximization your coverage.
SDN is designed for the new shareware author that does not have
the means for world wide distribution, and the experienced author
that budgeting time more wisely.
Distributed through SDN, your program gains the added benefit of
being a preferred download. In the same way book buyers may
prefer the books from a certain publishing house, many users
prefer shareware distributed via SDN.
2. INCREASED REGISTRATIONS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SDN distribution should do it's part to increase your
registrations. It's simple. Increase the number of people
downloading your program and registrations should increase in
proportion. Remove the risk that your program has been corrupted
and repackaged by careless or mischief uploaders, and
registrations should increase. Our double security and
authenticity seal, SDNTest(c), has never been broken, your
distribution is verifiable as whole and intact . No one can
guarantee registrations but SDN can help you reach your potential.
3. DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SDN services distribute to selected sites. A site is considered
as any one uploading point. This may be a BBS which will in turn
distribute to more BBSes, an online service with thousands of
members, a CDROM publisher, a popular Internet site, or other
network. These are selected for potential distribution coverage
and cooperation. Most are gateways to addition distribution
coverage.
Many authors have told me they had spent a few hundred dollars
uploading to major bulletin boards before they found SDN. They
are surprised to learn most of these same major boards, are
already receiveing SDN's distributions as a free public service
through satellite or other network connection.
Authors who rely on user osmosis or shotgun uploading for
distribution, waste time and money compared to SDN distribution
means. Experienced authors have written 'My registrations
increased dramatically'. With the publishing of this document, we
more than double our distribution coverage.
SDN offers four types of distribution services:
3.1 Commercial Service
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Commercial distribution services are a flat fee. Programs must be
submitted using our SDNMaker(c) utility. Subission can be made by
postal mail or ftp/uploading. Distribution is automated, yet
monitored. The current sites and fee is published in PRICE.LST
posted at The SDN Project BBS and superceedes copies in
circulation or of earlier date. When you submit to Comercial
Services you agree to the sites and fee of the current PRICE.LST.
3.3 Personal Service
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
With seven years of distributing shareware - SDN knows where to
distribute what. Personal distribution services all the sites
offered by our Commercial Services and manual uploading to
addition services and sites based upon your type of program. CIS,
web links, etc.. Personal help is given if problems arise and
marketing suggestions and advise is offered.
3.3 Demo Service
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Companies wishing to distribute non-shareware demonstration
software can pay a negotiated flat fee. Demostration leads can be
increased with professional distribution, instead of drafting
in-house employees.
3.4 Public Service
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SDN preforms limited public service distribution. Approved
authors upload directly to our BBS where they process thier own
programs right into Fidonet while online. Fidonet distribution is
automatically included with the services mentioned above.
4. WHAT YOU CAN AND CAN NOT SUBMIT
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Authors and publishers submitting programs to SDN for distribution
must take into account international networks and the world wide
distribution of your software. Shareware has a legal definition
in the United States.
We accept only productive shareware.
Time lapsed is acceptable, drop dead on a preselected date is not.
Functions that can be unlocked is acceptable, crippling to the
point of frustration and demo-ware is not.
Do not submit programs or material that is restricted by the
United States Government (some encryption, etc..) or restricted in
distribution by international copyright laws.
By distributing your program through SDN you assume the
responsibility and liability of content.
...SDN WILL NOT ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF SOFTWARE...
Marketing schemes masquerading as shareware or
reference programs.
Items which are specifically religious or political
in nature.
Requires fees from vendors, distributors or CDROM
publishers.
Shareware that is retail in other countries.
Programs or information intended for illegal uses.
Government restricted material (encryption, etc.)
Adult or pornographic material.
Non-productive demos or "slideshows".
(Refer to our Demo Services)
Do not include another author's copyrighted works
without written permission from the author.
5. SUBMISSION FORMAT
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Because we process so much software and want to keep our fee low,
all submission must be prepared using our SDNMaker utility. This
automates verification, processing and distribution.
Most of SDN's uploading automation revolves around a simple, plain
ASCII text file named SDN.ID. You must include one with every
submission. The format, contents, and purpose of SDN.ID is
described in SDNID.TXT included with these guidelines and avalible
from the SDN Project BBS or our www site. If you are using Ram's
Island's VENDINFO.DIZ SDNMaker can create a quick and dirty SDN.ID
that you can edit into shape.
We strongly recommend that authors include a standard FILE_ID.DIZ
and VENDINFO.DIZ.
Must! -> SDN.ID - required for distribution
Recommended -> VENDINFO.DIZ - required by some sites
Recommended -> FILE_ID.DIZ - required by some sites
5.1 SDNMAKER UTILITY
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The SDNMaker utility prepares programs for Comercial Service.
With it, sites are chosen, verification and payment information
are taken, and your programs zip file is packaged for submission.
All information is security encrypted. All SDNmaker needs is your
zip file and an SDN.ID (or VENDINFO.DIZ). The package it creates
is a compressed and encrypted submission pakage of the same name
as your program zip except with an .sdn extension. It is this
file that is sent to SDN.
SDNMaker needs an assigned or approved password for security and
authentication. If you do not yet have an approved SDNMaker
password or you are submitting to SDN for the first time, SDNMaker
will allow you to pick your own password and print a submission
and password application form.
5.2 SUBMITTING
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Any author that does not yet have an approved password must submit
the first time by postal mail. Simply put the file SDNMaker
creates on a 1.44k disk, complete and sign the application form,
include payment, put it all into a legal size envelope and mail it
to us.
Our preferred method payment for first submission is a postal
money order or credit card. Personal checks can not be accepted
unless drawn on United States based banks. Acceptable credit
cards are VISA, MasterCard and American Express. Authors in
Connecticut need to include Connecticut sales tax.
Normal postal service is preferred. Mail that I need to sign for
is not generally delivered but requires a special trip to
retrieve. Normal post may take from two to three weeks to reach
us.
Our postal mailing address is...
SDN International
13 Douglas Drive
Meriden, CT.
U.S.A. 06451-5015
5.3 ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Authors who already have an SDNMaker password can submit
electrically. SDNMaker uploads are accepted at The SDN Project
BBS at 28.8k speeds into File Area three of the File Menu.
Uploads should be (your-filename).SDN only, no zips. Internet
users can ftp binary transfer to ftp.sdn.com /users/sdn/incoming.
Internet file attach, MIME, is a bit unreliable, but you can try.
5.4 PUBLIC SERVICE UPLOADS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Public service uploads are directly to our BBS only, and must be
processed online through our Fidonet Only Distribution Door of the
Main Menu. Do not use SDNMaker. Uploads should be zipped with an
SDN.ID inside. If you are not yet validated for Fidonet Only
distribution, log in at the BBS and leave a message and
information about yourself asking for Fidonet Only validation.
Authors using Commercial Services automatically receive Fidonet
distribution.
6. OBTAINING CURRENT INFORMATION
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SDN policy, the SDNMaker utility and PRICE LIST, are revised
periodically to reflect the changing online world. Please be sure
you are up to date. SDN's Commercial Distribution fees and
available distribution sites are updated in PRICE.LST. The fee
and sites in the current PRICE LIST prevail. Below are easy means
to obtain current information.
DOWNLOAD
~~~~~~~~
The SDN Project BBS 1-203-634-0370
FTP
~~~
ftp.sdn.com /users/sdn
WORLD WIDE WEB
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.pcnet.com/~kaliss/sdn.html
INTERNET EMAIL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Information can be return reply requested through Internet email
by entering key words in the Subject: line. No message body is
needed. In all cases the "To:" address is the same...
Example:
To: kaliss@sdn.com
Subject: Mailer! Current
WHAT SUBJECT LINE TO USE WHAT IS RETURNED
------------------------ ----------------------------
"Mailer! Current" Current list of all items
"Mailer! Price List" Current Price List
"Mailer! SDNMaker" Current SDNMaker utility (MIME)
"Mailer! Author Kit" Current SDN Author's Kit
"Mailer! SDN.ID Format" Current SDN.ID Format
"Mailer! SDNTest" SDN Security Seal test utility
7. EMAIL TO SDN
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Although I can obviously be contacted on just about any network
and online service, the preferred means is via Internet email. My
Internet email address is kaliss@sdn.com, an alternative is
kaliss@pcnet.com. Be patient for a response, I have a real job, a
full family, and only so much time to devote to SDN - with these
fees I'm not getting wealthy!
8. THE SDNEWS! LETTER
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Being successful at shareware is a little more than putting out a
program and sitting back expecting registrations to flow in. Most
successful authors, who make a respectable income from
registrations - devote a lot of time to programming and improving
their products. Releasing new versions about every six to eight
months, they know it is important to keep their program fresh in
the 'new arrival' areas. This is wise marketing.
Users tend to pass over older files and download from the 'new'
area. Releasing an update every month or two, is often, too often
- users expect minor changes and form a habit of passing it over.
Waiting a complete year to issue an update is too long.. after
about three months your file is regulated to the 'old' areas and
sees less downloading. It is only after exhausting the new files
that users go back to browsing the old.
These are simple marketing tips any author should know.
SDN published an occasional SDNews! Letter with marketing tips and
items gathered from shareware authors and my own distribution
experience. It is an Internet email news letter open to any
shareware author or publisher.
Authors can subscribe by sending email with a subject line exactly
as shown...
To: kaliss@sdn.com
Subject: Mailer! Subscribe SDNews!
To remove yourself from the mailing list, do the same...
To: kaliss@sdn.com
Subject: Mailer! Unsubscribe SDNews!
That's it.. Good Registrations!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
APPENDICES
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A. FILE NAMING CONVENTIONS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fidonet bulletin boards in particular and posting sites in general
- do not accept the same file name twice in the same download
directory. This means if you name your file "editor.zip" and a
few months later you update it and name it "editor.zip" again,
there already exists "editor.zip" in that area, the site's
software will refuse to write over the first copy and your update
will be turned to the byte bucket.
Stick with the general BBS convention used worldwide of naming
your archive file using a few alpha characters to represent the
name, and one or two number characters to designate the version.
EXAMPLE:
X-Word Processor version 2.30 ==> xword23.zip or xwrd230.zip
You next update version would be ==> xword231.zip
If you save the SDN.ID for reuse with your next SDN update
submission, be sure you change the FILES: name to reflect the new
version number. This is a common mistake.
B. CDROM PUBLISHERS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Many disk vendors and CDROM publishers obtain programs through SDN
distribution channels. Some of them have policies you should
understand before submitting to them through SDN. Essentially, do
not submit to them through SDN if you expect or require any
compensation through their CDROM activity beyond your normal
shareware registrations from users. This is a copyright
distribution restriction, and SDN does not accept these anyway.
C. OTHER SERVICES FOR AUTHOR
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm often asked if SDN offers a registration service. It does
not. My hands are full.
REGISTRATION SERVICE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I recommend you contact Jeff Camino of NorthStar Solutions. Jeff
offers a fine service that allows shareware to be registered by
credit card and allows authors to advertise a toll-free 800
number, among other benefits.
NorthStar Solutions
P.O. Box 25262
Columbia, SC 29224
Phone: 1-800-699-6395 or 1-803-699-6395
(10am - 10pm Eastern Standard Time)
EMail: STARMAIL@AOL.COM
UNIQUE CDROM
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bud Jay at JCS Distribution offers a unique Author-to-Vendor CDROM
series that authors should be involved with. The series is
marketed to vendors at a inexpensive subscription. Bud CDROM
series is a gateway to further distribution. Disk vendors,
bulletin board sysops, and others obtain the series. Most CDROMs
are marketed to individual end users, Bud's is marketed to people
and companies which further distribute the programs. JCSM also
maintains a popular ftp site at jcsm.com.
JCS Distribution
P.O. Box 1216
Lakeville, MN 55044
Phone and fax 1-612-469-5898
EMail: budjay@jcsm.com
/eof