    A Little Shareware History...

         Shareware, freeware, and user-supported software are
    all terms used to describe a relatively new phenomena in
    the PC world.  It all began in March 1982 when the late
    Andrew Fluegelman introduced PC-TALK (a communication
    program). For several years before this, computer
    user-groups and Bulletin Board Systems had created a
    network of communicating personal computers allowing users
    of compatible systems to take advantage of each others
    knowledge & Public Domain programs. These systems were in
    place when Mr. Fluegelman came to realize that there was
    no software available that would allow incompatible
    systems to communicate.  After trying to modify available
    programs he decided to write his own. He did.

         The program allowed any computer to communicate with
    any other computer via the telephone. It worked so well
    some friends suggested he do something public with it.
    Rather than follow the traditional publishing route, Mr.
    Fluegelman decided to send his program out for free,
    encouraging people to copy and distribute it and asking
    people to make donations if they liked it.  In return, he
    would supply them with up'grades. Within a week of making
    the program available he received his first order.  Very
    quickly he had to replace his post office box with a
    large one and buy a few more disk drives. Shareware was
    born!

          Around the time of Mr. Fluegelman's success, a
    former IBM employee, Jim Button, had successfully ported
    an AppleSoft BASIC program called EASY-FILE, that he had
    written as a hobby, to the then new IBM PC. Out of a
    simple desire to share a good thing, he distributed the
    program among friends and colleagues. Friends shared with
    friends, associates with associates and soon hundreds were
    using the program.

         Problems soon developed trying to notify users when
    fixes or improvements became available, such as how to
    identify serious users who needed or desired the
    up'grades? Mr. Button decided to place a message in the
    program encouraging people to use and distribute the
    program and to send a donation of $10 if they wanted to be
    included on his mailing list. The first person respond
    telephoned almost immediately mentioning another program,
    PC-TALK, that had a similar message.

         The two original Shareware authors got together and
    decided to refer to each other in their disk documents.
    EASY-FILE became PC-FILE and the requested donation became
    25$. In may 1983 PC World Magazine gave PC-FILE a rave
    review. Shareware had begun and life for the
    Buttons's changed forever!

         Three months later, Bob Wallace introduced PC-WRITE and
    with it, Commission Shareware. To encourage people to
    distribute and register his program, Mr. Wallace's company
    (Quicksoft Inc.) sends each registered user a copy of the
    program with it's own unique registration number. The newly
    registered user can then distribute his personalized copy so
    that each time someone else registers his copy, Quicksoft Inc.
    will pay him a commission. PC-WRITE is without question a
    super program, but there can be no doubt that "Commission
    Shareware" has played a significant part in it's success.

         Since its introduction by these pioneers, shareware
    has evolved into a competitive marketing alternative.
    Million dollar companies (like Buttonware and Quicksoft
    Inc.) and literally hundred's of entrepreneural authors
    have been offering commercial quality software and
    support, at an unbeatable price.  Shareware has a lot to
    offer. Tie this with the virtually free, "Try Before You
    Buy" marketing concept and you, the Software Consumer, are
    the winner!
    
        Shareware is not just a novel idea. It is a real solution
    to the Program Author's distribution problems and the Software
    consumer's high prices. It's simply great for everyone, but
    will work only if Author's keep their promises and consumer's
    pay for the products they use.  So if you like the shareware
    concept, support it and register programs you use!

    SHAREWARE SOFTWARE SUMMARY

         About 90% of the software listed in this catalog is
    considered "Shareware" the rest is public domain software.
    Shareware is software marketed on a "Try before you buy"
    basis.

         The price per disk that Shareware distributers charge is a
    distribution fee and not the price of the software.  Shareware
    authors have agreed to allow vendors like us to recover
    expenses for copying, packaging, and maintaining a shareware
    library.  This allows you to obtain software programs at
    incredibly low prices to try, then pay the registration
    price for them only if they suit your needs. The idea is
    that after a reasonable trial period, if you find the
    programs to be of use, you are expected to send the author
    the registration fee.

          Registration entitles you to various rights and
    benefits.   These range from the legal (and moral) right to
    continue using the software.  In addition many shareware
    authors offer printed documentation and/or higher levels
    of service and support. Unlike Public Domain software,
    which is free to everyone with no fees asked for or
    expected, shareware programs exist because the authors
    expect and deserve the registration support from people
    who use their programs.

    So that's Shareware.  If you like it, support it !
