

   Association of Shareware Authors and Distributors
   1323 Garfield Avenue Street Springfield, OH  45504



  Contact:  Frederic Hertenstein
            Voice: (513) 399-4828 (temporarily residence phone)
            FAX  : (513) 399-2501
            BBS  : (513) 390-1093

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


         Association of Shareware Authors and Distributors

            Is Now Accepting Applications for Membership


  The Association of Shareware Authors and Distributors (ASAD) was
  established in July of 1992 and is currently accepting membership
  applications.

       ASAD has four primary goals: 1) to promote shareware products
  as a viable alternative or enhancement to commercial software, 2)
  to protect the rights of those persons involved in the shareware
  industry, 3) to educate the public about the concept of shareware
  as a marketing strategy, and 4) to establish "reasonable" standards
  for the authoring, distributing, and marketing of shareware
  products.

       Shareware authors want to get their products distributed to as
  many potential customers as possible; shareware vendors want to
  offer as many high quality shareware programs as possible to their
  clients; and shareware users want access to excellent programs that
  they can try before registering for continued use. ASAD can fulfill
  all these desires by establishing a direct link between authors,
  vendors, and users. Authors can mail their programs directly to
  ASAD for immediate uploading (via ASADnet) to member Bulletin Board
  Systems (BBSs) or monthly direct mailing to member vendors or
  distributors worldwide. This, in turn, allows users to immediately
  download programs of interest to them from their favorite local BBS
  and ensures that distributors have access to only the most current
  versions of shareware releases for incorporation into their next
  catalog, brochure, or other promotional advertisement.

       As with any association or organization, a set of bylaws and
  professional leadership standards are required. ASAD differs from
  most organizations in that the individual members (author,
  distributor, BBS, or user group) are writing the rules and
  regulations. ASAD has established a baseline set of bylaws and they
  are being provided to each new member for suggested modifications
  and possible incorporation in the next bylaws version update. Each
  member has an equal vote in the association. Four elected officers,
  one each representing authors, distributors, BBS/user group, and
  author/distributor, will provide leadership and management to the
  organization.

       The Association of Shareware Authors and Distributors is open
  to all persons or organizations involved in the shareware
  community, not just authors, vendors, BBSs or user groups,
  providing they are willing to comply with the bylaws established by
  ASAD members and are willing to assist us in educating the public
  in regards to shareware marketing concepts.

       Membership fees are being kept to a minimum (author or
  affiliated member $35, BBS or user group $45, and vendor or
  distributor $65) in an effort to ensure even the newest member of
  the shareware family can afford to be affiliated with a
  professional association.

       ASAD will be offering numerous benefits to its members
  including such items as: 1) monthly shareware program mailings, 2)
  coop mailings, 3) access to membership mailing lists, 4) free
  advertisements via ASADnet, 5) monthly newsletter, 6) discount
  registrations, 7) coop mailing lists, 8) marketing tips and hints,
  9) registration and mailing of programs direct from ASAD
  headquarters if requested, 10) drop shipment of disks, and much,
  much more as we grow.

       Anyone wishing additional information about ASAD or a
  membership package, may: 1) write to ASAD at "ASAD, 1323 Garfield
  Avenue, Springfield, Ohio 45504 2) call us at (513) 399-4828 between
  the hours of 4-11 p.m. Mon-Fri or 7:00-11 p.m. Sat/Sun EST, or
   3) FAX us anytime at (513) 399-2501.

                                ####

          Association of Shareware Authors and Distributors

             Executive Director of ASAD: Fred Hertenstein

                Associate Director B. Lee Williams

                      1323 Garfield Avenue

                    Springfield, Ohio 45504

             Voice: (513) 399-4828  FAX: (513) 399-2501
                        BBS (513) 390-1093
