AOH :: LET2ATHR.TXT
Info file about the SDN
|
LET2ATHR.DOC 12/24/88
Shareware Author Information Document.
THE SHAREWARE DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
The SDN PROJECT 1988
00000 0000 00 0 00000 00000 0 00 0 00000 00000 00 0 00000 00
00 00 0 000 0 00 0 0 00 0 00 0 00 0 00 0 00 00
00000 00 0 00 0 0 000 0 0 00 0 0 00 0 00000 000 00000 00
0 00 0 00 00 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 0 00 0 00 0 00
00000 0000 00 0 00000 0 0 0 0 00000 00 0 00 0 00000 00
________________________________________________________________________________
( SDN )
(tm)
SDNet/Works
-----------
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Copyright (c) 1988 SDN-Project - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
This document is Copyright (c) SDN Project 1988, All
Rights Reserved. You may copy this document for
others to see. You may not modify, change or delete
anything from this document or make it in any way a
part of a product without written permission from
The Directors of The SDN Project.
The name SDNet/Works and SDN Project are property of
The SDN Project and use of the names are forbidden
with out written permission from the Directors of
The SDN Project.
Dear Shareware Author:
A few years back, one of the SDN Project Directors felt that
Shareware authors, because of their contribution to BBS'ing as a
hobby, deserved some recognition, a mature forum to present their
programs from. He laid plans for a nationwide net for a
distribution of shareware programs straight from the authors. He
made author contacts and this vision was received with positive
response, but due to other concerns, it was put on hold... until
now.
THE REASONS FOR SDN
(The Shareware Distribution Network)
We at SDN know (as BBS sysops) that programs and new versions seep
from BBS to BBS by what we call "user osmosis". It is the lucky
program that makes nationwide distribution. Distribution by "user
osmosis" is spotty at best. At its worst, the program file is
outdated, it's been hand-passed so many times on bad phone lines,
transfer errors, users who have unpacked and unintentionally
modified or re-packed parts missing - to be upload to the next BBS
- which now can not post the uncorrupted real file because it has
the same name. Corruption is passed on and passed on. Recently
the growing proportions of "virus" and "Trojan" hacked mutilations
sometimes replace your real program. All this is a loss to
sysops, their users, lost registration to you and a loss to the
Shareware industry.
In order to improve all this, a safe, secure, quick and nationwide
distribution is needed.
ENTER - SDNet/Works!
Through this distribution net, we offer seeding of your programs
to national distribution points with controlled security. Within
hours of release through us, its posted in states across the
United States. We are trying to expand into Canada also.
Quick national distribution should do its part to increase your
registration rate. Its simple. Increase the number of people who
can download and try your program and registrations increase in
proportion.
Your program reaches users in a timely manner, before months have
passed. It gets to the downloader certified complete and free
from corruption, the downloader need not be afraid of Trojan or
virus.
Through user education information that explains what Shareware is
and why register, we intend to do our part to separate Shareware
from public domain, this also should increase registration.
OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THE PLANNING
Some of the other activities we have waiting in the wings are a
nationwide ECHO message area where people can consult with
shareware authors and commission authors for programming projects.
Users just don't know that many authors can be commissioned for
projects.
An information service where registration fees from users can be
forwarded to authors who have relocated - by us given the user the
authors new address.
Information service to let users know of other programs by their
favorite authors.
A search service to let users know of authors unique programs that
fill that special application need of theirs.
Special arrangement to assure downloaders and potential registered
users of the completeness, and integrity of your programs while
insuring against Trojans, virus, glitches and missing parts hacked
into or out of your programs. A first of its kind security device
for public bulletin boards.
Author Announcement messages, authors can publish bulletins and
notices for the public, to end "rumor" confusion and notify the
public of new releases, bug fixes, update policy etc..
Product Support ECHO message area where authors can answer support
questions without receiving phone calls at home, if desired.
These planned added activities, beyond just distribution, will be
for those authors that support our effort.
HOW WILL THE SHAREWARE DISTRIBUTION NETWORK KEEP GOING?
We at The SDN Project have donated our hardware, time and money to
get things going. Its our hobby, we pay the bills, but we need
some help if we all want to take this step forward in
the Shareware industry and distribution.
Just as the Shareware Industry relies on good conscience for
registration of valued and worthwhile software, we request that
authors who use our Distribution Network, voluntarily use a method
recognized in the Shareware industry itself.
We require, to use the network, that any program given to us for
distribution, carry an SDN distribution serial number unique to
your program and the SDN network for two reasons.
A. To help us track and so improve our distribution.
B. To help you calculate a voluntary support contribution.
It is accepted practice in the industry, to assign a serial
number, to register that serial number in a name, and to give a
percentage of any registrations received.
We suggest that author support given us be around 1/10th of any
SUCCESSFUL registration of a serialized program. Keep in mind SDN
will draw blanks, just as authors draw blanks. As more authors
decided to support us, registered program numbers increase and
network operations become more efficient, our recommended support
percentage will drop.
For us to distribute any program on your behalf, the serial number
IS REQUIRED, if you decide to support us or not, we can not accept
your program for distribution without the SDN serial number. But
any support that you may give us in recognition of our distribution
IS NOT mandatory. We do not preform a paid service. As a
non-commercial and amateur adventure, we only look to pay the
bills. Profits beyond our needs and a paid for service, would only
take us out of amateur status and create legal problems. While the
SDN Project and SDNet/Works! exit, it is "gratis" - and hopes for
support from shareware authors who benefit from it. Your support
is your vote that we keep on going. Similar to a fund raiser, if
you decide to send in support. you set the support level,
$5...$50...$500...
JOIN OUR EFFORTS
If you re-read this document, you'll find we offer a Shareware
Distribution system based on the original Shareware principle. As
outlined in this document and our policy, you, as an author of
Shareware programs, loose NOTHING by joining our efforts. Sysops,
users, SDN and you, can only gain. Your only loss would be not to
consider joining this effort.
(stepping down from soapbox...)
Please read the SDNHOWTO.DOC contained in the file SDN_KIT.ARC
which explains how to register to have programs distributed by SDN
or log on at SYSOP/CONN! BBS and download SDN_KIT.ARC.
Sincerely;
Ray Kaliss
The SDN Project
13 Douglas Drive
Meriden, CT.
06450
Phone 203-238-7446 after 6pm EST
SYSOP/CONN!
SDN Project, Public Relations BBS SDN System Coordinator BBS
203-634-0370 2400 Baud 8,N.1 203-628-4644 9600 HST 8,N,1
FidoNet 1:141:840 FidoNet 1:141:880
SDN 100.01 SDN 100.00
/*END