If You're a Shareware Author, This Document Is For You!
=======================================================

   The Board of Directors of the Association of Shareware Professionals 
would like to invite you to become a member of the ASP, the largest 
and most influential trade association representing shareware 
authors, vendors, BBSes and other online services. Your membership 
in the ASP is as essential part of your shareware business as your 
computer, and the ASP can help your business grow.


ASP Author Membership Facts 
----------------------------
* Dues: $100 per year 
* You apply for membership with a sample of your product, which must 
    meet certain standards of professionalism. See AUTPUB.ZIP, included 
    with this document. It includes information on ASP Author Standards 
    and an application form.
* On acceptance, you receive an ASP Author Membership kit, which includes 
    the ASP logo in several graphics formats, software designed for 
    submitting your products for inclusion on the ASP CD-ROM, and a copy 
    of VendInfo, the industry standard cataloging system. ASP members 
    can register VENDINFO at no charge. The registration fee is paid by 
    the ASP. 

Act Today to Become Part of the ASP! 
---------
   Joining the ASP could be the best business decision you ever make. 
 The benefit of the ASP's distribution system alone is worth many 
 times the small $100 dues you pay as a member. Add to that the other 
 benefits listed above and the decision to become an ASP member is 
 simple. Check out AUTPUB.ZIP now and start the process of joining 
 this active and influential association. You have nothing to lose 
 and everything to gain!

   Here are just some of the benefits of ASP Author membership. For a 
low, $100 per year annual dues the ASP can offer you these exclusive 
benefits, available ONLY to ASP members:

Worldwide Distribution of your Shareware Programs
---------
* Your Programs can be included on the ASP-CD Rom  (Updated Monthly)
     Distributed to all ASP Vendor and BBS  members 
     Mounted on the ASP World Wide FTP site  (an easy link from your web page!)
     Sold to the Public by FormGen
     Searched by C|Nets Shareware Central Search Engine
     Available on CompuServe (GO ASPCDROM)
* Access To the Author Direct Distribution Service
     This low-cost distribution service is offered only to ASP members by 
     an ASP member, and adds even more flexibility and impact to your 
     distribution methods.
* Free VendInfo Registration
     The ASP pays your registration fee for this industry standard system 
     for cataloging, describing, and informing customers and distributors 
     of your license terms. Many vendors and online services now require a 
     VENDINFO.DIZ file as part of your shareware program.

Recognition and Visibility for Your Company And Its Products
-------------------------------
* Link Your Web Page to the ASPs Popular World Wide Web Site
* Set up a Link from the ASP Web Site to your Web Site
* Use the ASP Logo on Your Products and Advertising
     Identifies you as an ASP member: a highly visible mark of professionalism

The ASP Public Relations Program Identifies You as an ASP Professional
--------------------------------
   The ASP conducts a professional public relations effort across all 
branches of the media. That program stresses the professionalism and 
service you already provide and strongly identifies the ASP logo as a 
mark of that professionalism. 
   Our public relations program provides information on finding publicity 
outlets for your business and offers sample press releases and other 
PR information you can use. 
   A media address list is maintained online in the ASPFORUM on CompuServe 
for your use. 
   Our PR program can help you get local publicity for your firm, with 
sample press releases and assistance in arranging demonstrations at user's 
groups in your area. 
   Electronic distribution of your press releases on CompuServe in the 
ASPFORUM's Press Room 

Online and Internet Support for Your Firm 
---------------------------
* ASPFORUM Forum on CompuServe 
      A central meeting place for shareware authors, publishers, 
      vendors, and online providers 
      Members-Only message areas for ASP discussions 
      Press Room for posting your press releases 
      Public Relations Forum for information on improving your own 
      PR efforts 
      Share information and get advice from the most successful 
      shareware authors in the world 
      Product Locator service directs consumers to programs on their 
      request 
 * ASPCD Forum on CompuServe 
      All programs on the ASP CD-ROM are stored in this forum, searchable 
      by CompuServe's file finders. 
 * ASP Forum on Microsoft Network 
      File areas available for posting your programs on this popular 
      online service 
      Establish your own support area on the ASP Forum at no charge 
 * ASP World Wide Web Site 
      http://www.asp-shareware.org 
      Add your web page's link to the ASP Web Site 
      FTP area contains all files on the ASP CD-ROM 
      COMING SOON: Search and download engine so customers can obtain 
      YOUR FILES 
      Links to other Internet services 
           More and more Web services are linking directly to the ASP Web 
         site. Others, like C|NET can search the ASP's FTP site directly 
         as part of their Shareware Central system, allowing direct 
         downloads of YOUR FILES. The ASP actively promotes these 
         activities and is involved in advising internet providers on 
         such links and services. 
  * COMING SOON: ASP Forum on America Online 

Gain the Confidence of Your Customers 
-------------------
* ASP Ombudsman Program 
      This service, available only to ASP members and their customers 
      can help resolve conflicts between your customers and your 
      company through a third party. You tell your customers about 
      the Ombudsman program in your documentation. The ASP's public 
      relations effort stresses the Ombudsman program to help customers 
      gain confidence in trying and buying ASP member's products. 
 * Use the ASP Logo 
      Identifying yourself as an ASP Author Member is a terrific way 
      to tell your customers that you're a pro. Only ASP members can 
      use this logo, and the ASP actively promotes the ASP logo as a 
      mark of professionalism in the shareware industry. Your customers 
      and potential customers know that the ASP logo is the hallmark 
      of the shareware industry. 

Learn to Improve Your Business 
----------------   
* ASPects 
      This monthly newsletter is packed with information to help you 
      grow your business, with articles on distribution, public relations, 
      and more. 
* Online Networking 
      Some of the most successful shareware companies in the world 
      frequent the ASPFORUM on CompuServe. They're always happy to 
      help you with answers to your most pressing questions. The 
      amount of valuable information available there is incredible. 
      Join over 1000 current members who are helping each other toward 
      success. 

Influence the Course of the Shareware Industry 
--------------------
* The ASP is your organization 
* All major policies are set by a vote of the membership 
* Discuss the future of shareware in the ASPFORUM 
* Volunteer to serve on  one of the ASPs committees 
* Run for an elected office -- All officers are members of the ASP 

Obtain a Credit Card Merchant Account
--------------------
     Teleflora is a service agency which may allow your business to obtain 
merchant account status and increase profits by accepting Visa and 
MasterCard. In providing credit card processing services, Teleflora 
CreditLine is representing Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Merchant Card 
Division, Walnut Creek, CA 94596.  For further information, and to 
apply, please call Dave or Diane at 1-800-480-6694.  Teleflora offers a 
special discount rate to ASP members - only 2.65% (new accounts only).

Get Special Members-only Discounts
---------------------
The ASP has arranged members-only discounts on a wide array of products 
and services that can help you in your business.

Programming Tools:

*  Mabry Software (800-99-MABRY (800-996-2279)/206-634-1443) offers a 
20% discount to ASP members on the following collections of custom 
controls for Windows: Mega Pack 2 (reg. $179), Internet Pack (reg. $129) 
and/or MIDI Pack (reg. $99).

*  Ted Gruber Software (702-735-1980) offers a 10% discount to all ASP 
members off the purchase of their Fastgraph Programmer's Graphics 
Library.  Ask for Diana.

*  Boxer Software (800-982-6937/603-924-6602) offers a 20% discount to 
ASP members off the purchase of any of their award-winning Boxer series 
of text editors.

*  VB/Rig is a unique code-generator that can automatically write a 
complete error-handling subsystem for your Visual Basic application. ASP 
members receive a free upgrade to VB/Rig Professional Edition when they 
register the Standard Edition (CompuServe SWREG, product ID 3115) for 
$29 + s/h.  When registering, please  mention (send a separate email to 
the author, Brad Kaenel CIS: 72357,3523, when registering on-line), 
identifying yourself as an ASP member.

*  HEXANET (INTERNET:hnet@dialup.francenet.fr; WWW 
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/hompages/hnet) offers their Zip Studio 
Shell 3.0/Source Code Edition for Win95 to ASP members at a 20% 
discount. This version includes the MSVC 4.0 source code for the Shell, 
the Explorer/Winfile extensions, the Zip API static version, and the OCX 
control.  Regularly $249 USD, ASP members may obtain the package at a 
cost of only $199 USD.

Web Authoring Tools

*  Lincoln Beach Software offers a complimentary copy of their Web- It! 
web authoring software to all ASP members.  Contact ASP member Harold 
Holmes (CIS: 70700,630) for ordering information.  Download a shareware 
copy at http://www.i1.net/~lnclnbch.

*  FLFSoft, Inc. offers a complimentary copy of their HTML Builder HTML 
editor to all ASP members.  HTML Builder is a 32 bit application that 
runs across all Windows platforms (3.1x, WFW, 95 & NT).  The program has 
full support for long file names under win95 & NT.  Contact ASP member 
Frank Feingold (CIS 75010,237) to request a copy.  Download a shareware 
copy at http://www.execpc.com/~flfsoft.

Goods & Services:

*  JCS Marketing (612-469-5898) is one of the shareware industry's most 
respected CD-ROM producers.  Their products include the "Author to 
Vendor" distribution CD-ROM and the "Best of the A2V" retail CD-ROM. ASP 
members can get 25 copies of the "Best of the A2V" CD-ROM (suggested 
retail $9.95) for $55 plus s&h.

*  The Public (software) Library (PsL; 1-800-2424-PSL) maintains one of 
the industry's largest and most comprehensive libraries of shareware and 
freeware programs.  ASP members can get their first copy of PsL's monthy 
CD for $6 plus $4 s&h (subsequent CDs are available at the regular 
price).  ASP members may also obtain any PsL CD that contains one of 
their programs for $6 plus $4 s&h.

*  ASP BBS member Tim Nishimura offers ASP author members a unique 
support opportunity in Japan: a link through Japanese BBSes, complete 
with translation.  Support service available in Japanese through the 
following BBSes: TIM BBS Tokyo 03-3478-6263

Other Software

*  Bardon Data Systems offers ASP members a free copy of Smiler Shell, a 
powerful Windows command line utility.  Contact ASP member Barry Smiler 
(CIS: 72340,375) for more information.

*  Tay-Jee Software is making available a free redistribution license 
for its batch file utilities Steenburgh's Stuff to all ASP members. 
Steenburgh's Stuff allows the creation of powerful DOS batch files for 
use in installation, read me files, tutorials, and the like.  Contact 
ASP member Chuck Steenburgh (CIS: 72330,1776) for more information.

    Additional offers are being added on a regular basis - contact us for 
the most up-to-date list. All offers are made by the individual 
companies listed, are subject to any restrictions or limitations imposed 
by those companies, and are subject to withdrawal at any time without 
notice.



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