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                    W H A T    I S    S H A R E W A R E ?
                    ---------------------------------------


                    W H A T    I S    T H E    A S P ?
                    ------------------------------------

                              _______
                         ____|__     |                (R)
                      --|       |    |-------------------
                        |   ____|__  |  Association of
                        |  |       |_|  Shareware
                        |__|   o   |    Professionals
                      -----|   |   |---------------------
                           |___|___|    Member



          DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE

          Shareware  distribution  gives  users a chance to try software
          before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and  continue
          using  it,  you  are expected to register. Individual programs
          differ on details -- some request  registration  while  others
          require   it,  some  specify  a  maximum  trial  period.  With
          registration, you  get  anything  from  the  simple  right  to
          continue using the software to an updated program with printed
          manual.

          Copyright   laws   apply  to  both  Shareware  and  commercial
          software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with  a
          few specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are
          accomplished  programmers,  just  like commercial authors, and
          the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases,  there
          are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the
          method  of  distribution.  The  author specifically grants the
          right to copy and distribute the software, either to  all  and
          sundry  or  to  a  specific  group.  For example, some authors
          require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may
          copy their Shareware.

          Shareware is a distribution method, not a  type  of  software.
          You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook,
          whether  it's  commercial  or  Shareware. The Shareware system
          makes fitting your needs easier, because you  can  try  before
          you buy.    And  because  the  overhead is low, prices are low
          also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back  guarantee  --  if
          you don't use the product, you don't pay for it.

          The accompanying software is "shareware" and is provided at no
          charge to the user for evaluation.  Feel free to share it with
          your  friends, but please do not give it away altered or as an
          unacknowledged part  of  another  system.    The  essence   of





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          "user-supported"  software  is  to  provide  personal computer
          users with quality software without high prices,  and  yet  to
          provide  incentive  for programmers to continue to develop new
          products.  If you find this software useful and find that  you
          are  using  it and continue to use it after a reasonable trial
          period, you must register it with P. C. Softsmith.

          Please pass a copy of the software along to your  friends  for
          evaluation.   Please  encourage them to register their copy if
          they find it useful.


          The Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP):

          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:

              o  To inform users about shareware programs and about
                 shareware as a method of distributing and marketing
                 software.

              o  To foster a high degree of professionalism among shareware
                 authors by setting programming, marketing, and support
                 standards for ASP members to follow.

              o  To encourage broader distribution of shareware through
                 user groups and disk dealers who agree to identify and
                 explain the nature of shareware.

              o  To assist members in marketing their software.

              o  To provide a forum through which ASP members may
                 communicate, share ideas, and learn from each other.

          The newly formed 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:

              o  A member's program (evaluation version) could not be





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                 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.

              o  Members must respond to every registration.  At the very
                 least they must send a receipt for the payment.

              o  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.


          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
             545 Grover Road
             Muskegon, MI  49442-9427
             U.S.A.

          or  send  a  CompuServe  message  via  CompuServe  MAIL to ASP
          Ombudsman 70007,3536.


          This document is somewhat  altered  ASP  material,  originally
          prepared   with   input   by   a  number  of  ASP  people  for
          ASP/shareware purposes.

