NEW SHAREWARE INFORMATION SYSTEM GIVEN OFFICIAL SANCTION BY ASP

Muskegon, Ml -- October 1, 1993 -- The Association of Shareware
Professionals recently voted to adopt the VENDINFO Software Distribution
Information System developed by Rams' Island Software of Parker, CO.

VENDINFO is a system to convey software product information and
distribution permissions from the author to distributors. A standard file
(based on a public format) will carry extensive information in a
compressed format. The associated toolset will aid the author in
constructing the record, and will allow the distributor to extract
portions of the record, or to make distribution decisions based on its
content, in a highly automated way.

VENDINFO will automate many of the operations now performed manually by BBS
Sysops, disk vendors, and the like. It will also increase use of
author-provided product descriptions, and will improve compliance with
product distribution policies. A centralized product registry will allow
distributors to search for products satisfying their needs, and to obtain
contact information for the products thus located.

The VENDINFO standard is copyrighted to insure that the development of the
standard is well-controlled and that multiple variations are prevented.
Many standards in the computer industry have been damaged or delayed by
the existence of multiple, competing versions.

It is expected that the VENDINFO.DIZ record will replace the VENDOR.DOC,
SYSOP.DOC, LICENSE.DOC, WARRANTY.DOC, SITELICE.DOC, FILE_ID.DIZ, and
DESC.SDI commonly found in shareware and public-domain software packages.
It may eventually replace READ-ME.DOC and similar files, as well.

The VENDINFO system includes the following tools: VendEdit--the Editor used
by the software author/publisher to produce the VENDINFO record and, if
desired, to "brand" executables with product information; VendPrcs-- the
Processor used by distributor to extract, and to make decisions based on,
VENDINFO information; and VendView--the VENDINFO record viewer for end
users.

According to Richard Holler, BBS Sysop and Chairman of the ASP BBS
Membership Committee, "BBS sysops are always in search of tools to make
their library tasks and routines easier and more automated. VENDINFO will
be a tremendous advantage for them. Personally, I can't wait to start
using it!"

Association of Shareware Professionals
545 Grover Rd, Muskegon, MI 49442-9427

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