================ SHAREWARE BUSINESS INDEX (SBI) ================== ____________________ May 1992 rev. 1.03 _______________________ copyright 1992 by H.C.P. Services, Inc. June 08, 1992 The SBI is an index showing the relative health of the shareware industry by showing the change in registration sales for shareware programs. It is based on a starting point of 100 points for January 1989. Thus the SBI shows how much shareware registrations have increased (or decreased) since January 1989. The following index is based on the registration sales reported as of June 08, 1992. Twelve authors are now participating in the SBI. We very much need and would welcome your participation. Calculation Method A month to month percentage change in sales is calculated for each author. An average percentage change is then calculated for each month and that percentage is applied to the previous month's SBI index. This method does not show the overall size of the shareware industry, but will accurately reflect its growth and cycles. The index starts in January 1989 with an arbitrary setting of 100. Background This index was calculated for the first time in May 1992. This update includes sales figures through May 1992. As additional authors submit join the SBI and send us their sales information (we need ** you ** to send us your sales monthly history) the SBI will improve and be more accurate and useful in determining sales trends based on the time of year and longer term trends based on general economic conditions. In addition, as more authors contribute their sales information the SBI may be able to include sales trends by market and/or product type. Contributing Sales Information To make the SBI a better refection of the true shareware economy we would appreciate it if ** you ** could submit your monthly sales information. This information will be kept strictly confidential. Information can be submitted in either of two forms: monthly sales (non-US authors, your information can be in any currency) or the percentage change in sales each month. The percentage change is calculated using the following formula: ((TMS-LMS)/LMS) X 100 TMS - This month's sales LMS - Last Month's Sales Please send your information to: Steve Hudgik, c/o HomeCraft Software, P.O. Box 974, Tualatin, OR 97062. It may also be sent via Compuserve to ID 71450,254 or to Prodigy ID# HPBN19A. We will add other methods of submitting information as they are needed. ***** PLEASE HELP ***** The more authors who contribute their sales information, the more accurate and useful the SBI will be. Please help! As large a participation as possible is needed. Your contribution of your sales information is important! ******* ________SBI Compiled As Of June 08, 1992________ Jan. 1989 100.00 May 1990 80.57 Aug 1991 279.48 March 78.76 June 84.75 Sept 252.88 April 81.69 July 100.05 Oct 189.37 May 74.62 Aug 106.38 Nov 251.62 June 1989 78.38 Sept 1990 93.01 Dec 1991 253.27 July 77.81 Oct 107.31 Jan 1992 270.83 Aug 83.80 Nov 134.93 Feb 305.36 Sept 79.77 Dec 166.32 March 247.05 Oct 1989 77.48 Jan 1991 170.99 April '92 168.73 Nov 110.38 Feb 144.87 May 119.75 Dec 112.18 March 153.63 June ----- Jan 1990 132.63 April '91 121.93 July 1992 ----- Feb 96.84 May 124.60 Aug ----- March 86.63 June 140.44 Sept ----- April 77.60 July 292.63 Oct ----- The SBI is copyrighted by H.C.P. Services, Inc. It may be freely reprinted in magazines, newspapers or newsletters and shared among individuals and on BBSs provided credit is given to Steven Hudgik or this file is distributed in its entirety. Neither the SBI nor this file may not sold (on a profit or non-profit basis) by any individual, company or organization without written permission of H.C.P. services, Inc. If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please feel free to send them to me at the address given earlier. Your feedback is very welcome. STEVE HUDGIK Shareware Author HomeCraft Software < end of SBI article >