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tm CompUser Version 2.70 'A Rated Cyclopedia For Computer Users' From Unicorn Software Limited Created By: Charles P. Schell IV Copyright (C) 1987-91 Unicorn Software Limited All Rights Reserved CompUser is a Trademark of Unicorn Software Limited _______ ____|__ | (R) --| | |------------------- | ____|__ | Association of | | |_| Shareware |__| o | Professionals -----| | |--------------------- |___|___| MEMBER Unicorn Software Limited P. O. Box 911 Wabash, IN 46992-0911 CIS 70272,3317 CONTENTS Legalese................................................................. 1 Warranty................................................................. 2 Concept.................................................................. 2 Features................................................................. 3 The User................................................................. 4 Getting Started.......................................................... 4 UNIEMM.COM............................................................... 4 Mouse Users.............................................................. 4 Colours, Date Format, Data Drive......................................... 5 WipeOut!................................................................. 6 Universal Commands....................................................... 6 The Data File............................................................ 7 Data Field Explinations.................................................. 7 Data Entry Screens....................................................... 8 Change & Erase........................................................... 8 Close Nuf'............................................................... 8 Lists&Labels............................................................. 8 Criteria................................................................. 9 KomboZ................................................................... 9 PostCards, WordWrap & Right Justify......................................10 Find!....................................................................11 Utilities................................................................11 Import Data..............................................................12 UPGRADE TO 2.70..........................................................13 Technical Support........................................................13 Association Expinations: ASP & ISDA......................................15 ISDA, ISP, Darwin, PDS, & SDN............................................16 Why Bother With B & C Distributors.......................................18 BBS Ratings..............................................................19 Other Unicorn Programs...................................................20 Data File Update Form....................................................23 New Stuff................................................................24 Unicorn Software Limited is 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 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442- 9427 or send a Compuserve message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536" LICENSE AGREEMENT CompUser is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends, but CompUser must be distributed in unmodified, complete form, including this Reference Guide and License Agreement. Also, CompUser may not be distributed in conjunction with any other product. The essence of "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 program useful and find that you are using CompUser and continue to use CompUser after a reasonable trial period, you must make a registration payment of $30.00 to Unicorn Software Limited, P.O. Box 911 Wabash, IN 46992-0911. Or you can use your MC, Visa, AmEx, or Discover by calling the Public(software)Library at 800-2424-PsL or 713-524-6394 or by FAX to 713-524-6398 or by CompuServe to 71355,470 or by mail to PsL, PO Box 35705, Houston, TX 77235-5705. These numbers are for ordering only, order #10223. For information about dealer pricing, site licensing, shipping of product, returns, latest version number or technical support call 219-563-HOME or write to Unicorn Software Ltd. directly. The $30.00 registration fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time. You must treat this software just like a book. An example is that this software may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at another. Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same time. The CompUser cataloging program is protected by United States Copyright Law and International Treaty provisions. All rights are reserved. Non-registered users of CompUser are licensed only to use the program on a trial basis for the sole purpose of determining whether or not it meets their requirements. All other use requires registration. Commercial users of CompUser must register and pay for their copies of CompUser within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting Unicorn Software Limited. -1- You are encouraged to pass a copy of CompUser along to your friends for evaluation. Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can use it. All registered users will receive a copy of the latest version of the CompUser system, free mailed updates of the data file for one year (every 90 days), and another Unicorn Software program to try. WARRANTY Unicorn Software Limited makes no warranty of any kind, express or implied, including without limitation, any warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. Unicorn Software Limited shall not be liable for any damages, whether direct, indirect, special or consequential arising from a failure of this program to operate in the manner desired by the user. Unicorn Software Limited shall not be liable for any damage to data or property which may be caused directly or indirectly by use of the program. IN NO EVENT WILL UNICORN SOFTWARE LIMITED BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS, LOST SAVINGS OR OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF YOUR USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PROGRAM, OR FOR ANY CLAIM BY ANY OTHER PARTY. The License Agreement and Warranty shall be construed, interpreted and governed by the laws of the state of Indiana. Concept: To provide a single source cyclopedia of the latest data regarding the computer industry that is rated for the user and will provide the user with an easy way to contact the companies listed. The system has two parts: The data file is a listing of dealers in computer supplies, software, shareware, and BBSs as well as authors of Shareware, magazines and newsletters. The information is rated and complete. The list is updated daily with new data files being distributed 3 times a year. The program lets you maintain and work with the data file, create and edit post cards for mailings to persons in the data file. Then you may retrieve either listings of the addresses and cards, address labels, 4X6 cards, or Roladex cards. The program will print post cards, and address them for you. Post cards cost 2/3 the price of a letter. -2- Features * Program is easy to use, menu driven and installs automatically. * Runs on 330K RAM, under DOS 2.10 or greater and uses any Graphics printer. * Standard entries for Company, Attention, Address, City, State, ZipCode, BBS, Day, Fax And Toll Free Phone Number, Date Last Updated, Type, Rating, Association, and 2 Lines Of Remarks. * Standard PostCard entries for Title, Salutation, Sign Off, and 16 lines of text. *Text WordWraps. *User inputs Return Address block, Signature Block. * User sets screen colours, default data drive, and printer codes. * The choice of obtaining Print Outs for all data or a Criteria. * Criteria selections for all fields yor User make pick and chose individual names. * Print Outs available: An abbreviated listing, sample PostCards, Address Labels, PostCards, 2 Way Cards, 3X5 Cards, Roladex Cards, Return Address Labels, or a Kustom Listing. * Find! feature helps you locate any of the Address entries for specific variable. * Close Nuf' feature that allows partial 'wildcard' style entries to be used for Criteria and Find! options. * Choice of indexing by: Name, Zip Code, Key or Telephone Number. * Build For Speed resequences entire file for speed. * Chase Ghost option rids file of accidentally added blank records. * DOS shell option. * Uses MicroSoft Mouse -3- The User: Shareware Author: Contact more distributors, contact only large or only small libraries, use the PostCards to get feedback from distributors, use labels to send disks and the program to track results. Shareware Library: Find authors and computer hardware dealers. Find BBSs for downloading. BBS Users: Find new BBSs to call and peripheral dealers for supplies. Computer Clubs: Contact shareware authors and distributors, find hardware and peripherals, find other clubs. Computer User: Find Shareware and Commercial libraries, find the "lost" author of a program you have, find hardware and peripherals, find magazines and newsletters, find computer clubs. Getting Started: DO NOT INSTALL THE PROGRAM IF YOU ARE ALREADY USING IT SEE THE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO UPGRADE THE PROGRAM Type COMPUSER to start. When you first start the program, the computer will bring up the Default SetUp screen first. Just enter the info requested. When you name the Disk Drive, the program will automatically copy the data files to that drive for you ! So Have A Disk In The Drive And Ready ! In order to create new data disks simply copy all the files with named CARD onto your new data disk or see below. The file DIST.DAT has to be on the same disk as the program. As a result the program requires at least 2.0 Meg of disk space to start. QEMM.SYS And Other Extended Memory Managers: Occaisionally a problem will be incurred by a person using QEMM.SYS or other extended memory manager. This has to do with the way that the SYS file manages memory vs the way that the program wants to use the extended memory (The program will attempt to use extended memory automatically, if it is available). On the distribution disk there is a program called UNIEMM.COM (This can be renamed to any legal file name EXCEPT the name of the EXE program). If you attempt to run the program and get a DOS ERROR or RUN ERROR message at the top of the screen, use the UNIEMM utility to start the program. It will tell the program you are using an extended memory that has this anomoly and command the program to remain in low memory instead of -4- switching to extended memory. After passing these instructions to the program, the program will start with no other commands needing to be entered. Mouse Users: YOU must activate the mouse prior to the start of the program. Two Button Users: The Left Button serves as the return/enter key, The Right Button is the ESC key. Three Button Users: Same as two button Users, and the middle button is the F1 key. Colours: Color Letter ------------------ Black N Blue B Green G Cyan BG Red R Magenta RB Brown GR White W ------------------ Data Drive: Enter any valif drive location for the PostCard data files to reside on. Later, if you wish to create a new data disk, just blank out the Data Drive or insert the letter "Z" and then hit the page down key. You will then have the opportunity to name a new Data Drive. Date Format: You have the following choices: A=American MM/DD/YY {Default} B=British DD/MM/YY F=French DD/MM/YY G=German DD.MM.YY I=Italian DD-MM-YY Right Justify: Applies to PostCard text. You can always go back and change any of these settings by using the Set Defaults option on the Utilities Menu. After the default settings are entered the WipeOut! screen will appear. -5- WipeOut!: This option allows you to WipeOut entries you may not need from the start. This will make the program run faster and conserve disk space. For details on what codes are used hit the F1 key or see the descriptions below. Once WipedOut! these records are gone, so make sure you know what you want from the start. You have the option of WipeOut! for up to four fields. For example you do not want BBSs rated B. Select the Type entry from the WipeOut! screen, then type in B (for BBSs). Next select the rating entry, when you do that you will have a choice of making the statement And or Or. (Chose And in this example) then you can enter the rating B. The program will delete all records meeting that criteria and take you to the Main Menu. (If you had selected Or in the above example you would have deleted all records for BBSs or anyone rated B {even those who were not BBSs}) A more complex example would be Type A or Type D and Rating A and ZipCode 4. (You would WipeOut! all Authors or Distributors rated A in any zip code beginning with 4.) The System: Is designed using KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) so not much information is needed to get started. Here are a few notes to help you use the system: Universal Commands: The ESC key will take you back one menu (Mouse Users use Right Button). The box in the upper right hand corner of the screen will contain information on how to move around, and data entry tips. The last line of the screen will tell you what the highlighted option does. All menu entries can be selected with the light bar, or by pressing the first letter of the option (Mouse Users when highlited the Left Button will activate the option). The F10 key will bring up Help for a particular item, if no Help is availble for that item, it will allow you to enter the help index. From the index you may select any of the topics of help available. The Help file was not written by the same person who wrote this manual, therefore it might help better explain something to you than this manual does and vice versa. The file HELP.DOC has all of the Help screens in ASCII format so you can print or view them outside of the program. The F1 key will give you the age of the data file. The age of the data file can be found from the Help Menu. New data files are released every 90 days, so a file over that many days old will be inaccurate. -6- Distributed Data File: Entries that are distributed by Unicorn Software Ltd. have a "smiley face" symbol showing in the upper left corner of the Change and Erase screens. This identifies the data we sent versus something someone else may have added. On these entries you can only update the Attention, Updated, and Remarks entries. This keeps the unscrupulous from changing the information on a competitor or raising their own ratings. The Information: Attn: usually the person the company wants as a point of contact, some entries have more than one (read there titles for what you need). Company, Address: Self explanatory. Phones: The Toll Free number listed is usually for orders only, use the Day number for general info. Last Updated: The date Unicorn Software last updated the info on the company. Type: The following codes were used: A : Author or Author Organization B : BBS C : Computer Club D : Distributor Of Shareware F : Foreign Distributor H : Seller Of Computer Hardware M/N : Magazine or Newsletter S : Commercial Software Vendor P : Peripheral and Other Supply Vendors Association: ASP : Association of Shareware Professionals IND : Independent Shareware Dealer's Association ISP : Independent Shareware Professional DAR : Listed In Darwin's BBS List MMA : Micro Computer Marketing Association PDS : Public Domain/Shareware List SDN : Shareware Data Network Rating: A combination of factors contribute to the ratings given. Size of the operation, number of disks or members, service given, complaints I have heard or have been told about. A, B & C are not necessarily derogatory (See Below). An F rating however, is. These ratings are objective and are -7- not paid for, or bribed for. N means New. Q indicates that the company is a subsidiary of a larger firm, in these cases the parent company has been listed in the remarks. Authors should send there software only to the parent company as this saves time and money. Remarks: Two lines for your use. Normally line 2 will be used by Unicorn for comments, this leaves line one for your own use. That way when updating the file you can choose to ignore reading in line 1 and only read in line 2. You can add to, update or delete any of the information in the data file. When an updated file becomes available you can import the data updating the only the fields you want to. Therefore, you can make your own rating system, use the Last Updated entry for the date that you last contacted the company etc, and when you import the new data you can save your own and only update the address and phone numbers for example. The Data Entry Screens: Any of the data entry screens shown in Add, Change, or Erase can be 'zipped' through. When deleting just hit PageDown to confirm that you want to delete that entry. Likewise ESC will abort action on these screens. Change And Erase: When you select either of these options the screen will display up to 32 company names. Move the light bar to the one you want to Update or Delete and press the enter key. The ESC key will take you back to the Main Menu and the PageDown key will bring up the next 32 names. When the program reaches the bottom of your file it will start again. You also have the option of looking for a specific company name (This will always be the last one displayed, so use the end key to get to the bottom and return to select). Close 'Nuf: In the Change, Erase, Criteria, and Find! when you enter the attention, company name, association, title, artist, etc you do not have to enter the entire thing. For example when entering a compnay you wish to deal with you do not have to enter the full name, only the first few words, or even letters. In Update this will allow you to view all the records that are Close 'Nuf to what you entered. EXAMPLE: Entering "Cali" will bring up "California CopyCats", "California Freeware" and "Califlower Software" Lists&Labels: You have a choice of working with All addresses or selecting a Criteria. -8- Criteria will let you choose the addresses by Key, ZipCode,Individually or Comboz. When selecting Individually the screen will display the names in the file and you just pick the numbers of the ones you want. Selecting the number a second time will deselect the address. In the lower left corner of the screen the total number of address you are dealing with will be displayed. This is helpful in determining how many PostCards, labels, etc to load in the printer. KomboZ: Selecting this entry on the Criteria screen will let you combine up to four Criteria. For example you want a listing of all Authors who are A rated. Select the Type entry from the KomboZ screen, then type in A (for author next select the rating entry, when you do that you will have a choice of making the statement And or Or. (Chose And in this example) then you can enter the rating A. The program will find all records meeting that Criteria and take you to the Forms menu. (If you had selected Or in the above example you would have gotten all records for Authors or anyone rated A {even those who were not authors}) A more complex example would be Type A or Type D and Rating A and ZipCode 4. (You would get all Authors or Distributors rated A in any zip code beginning with 4.) The Card & Address Listings: Will print out on regular paper for storage in a notebook etc. The From... & Address Labels: Are printed for 3" X 15/16" pinfed labels. The program will let you test printer alignment before printing. You can print from 1 to 99 automatically. 3X5 and Roladex Cards: Will provide you with cards in those formats. PostCards: Lets you choose which card to match with the address data you have requested. After printing the cards you have the choice of turning the cards around and having the computer address them or exiting. The PostCards are printed to the standard 4X6 size. 2 Way Cards: This option is for times when you want to elicit a response from the -9- person you are sending a card to. You select the card to them first, then the card you want returned to you. Once printed the cards are torn off in twos and then folded in half and either stapled or taped. The first card is addressed to them, the second to you. It is difficult to explain, just try it. Kustom List: Lets you pick out the contents for a print out. PostCards: Selecting this option from the Main Menu puts you in the post card system and from there you can add, update or delete postcards. You can enter the Title of the card, a Salutation (Dear, Attention, etc) a sign off (Sincerely, Lovingly Yours,etc) and 16 lines of text. You have the option WordWrap during Update and Add functions. WordWrap: This feature is an option during Add and Update operations while working on PostCards. What it will do is allow you to type in the PostCard without paying attention to carriage returns, then when you hit the PageUp key it will re format the text for you (and Right Justify if you have it turned on. Here is an example: You Enter: Just a quick note to let you know that our offices have moved we are no longer in the burned out warehouse down by the dock s, but are now located in the shiny new Acme-Wiley Building d owntown. Our phone numbers remain the same, but our new addr ess is listed on the reverse side of this card. Keep in touc h. WordWrap: Just a quick note to let you know that our offices have moved we are no longer in the burned out warehouse down by the docks, but are now located in the shiny new Acme-Wiley Building downtown. Our phone numbers remain the same, but our new address is listed on the reverse side of this card. Keep in touch. WordWrap & Right Justify: Just a quick note to let you know that our offices have moved -10- we are no longer in the burned out warehouse down by the docks, but are now located in the shiny new Acme-Wiley Building downtown. Our phone numbers remain the same, but our new address is listed on the reverse side of this card. Keep in touch. It enables you to type as fast as you want with no cares as to where the carriage returns should be. ******WARNING****** When WordWrapping a Synopsis that has previously been Wrapped with Right Justify ON you might have problems. The program does not understand grammar and might try to wrap things that do not need to be. Example(From Above) Just a quick note to let you know that our offices have movedwe are no longer in the burned out warehouse down by thedocks, but are now located in the shiny new Acme-WileyBuilding downtown. Our phone numbers remain the same, butour new address is listed on the reverse side of this card.Keep in touch. If this happens, just use the INS and DEL keys to fix it. Find! This will assist you in finding entries for specific criteria or combination of criteria. Once the first Found! screen appears: Hit the PageDown to Find! the next record, PageUp to go back, ESC to Quit, Home to the Top of the file, End to the bottom of the file. Utilities: Indexing: You can put the file in Name, Zip Code, Key or Telephone Number order by selecting the appropriate option. Build For Speed: Should be run occasionally to keep the file in sequential order for speed. Ghost Buster: This feature should be run if you get blank records in your data file, by accident. -11- Default SetUp: Same as above. If you wish to create a new data disk, just blank out the Data Drive or insert the letter "Z" and then hit the page down key. You will then have the opportunity to name a new Data Drive and File Name. Printer SetUp: This allows you to customize the printer codes used by the program. These codes can be found in your printer manual. The codes that the program has when originally distributed are for the Epson FX100. You will need to know the code for 10 cpi (Pica), 12 CPI (Elite), Enlarged, Condensed (17CPI) and Double High/Wide. If your printer cannot handle double high/wide DON'T PANIC, just leave it blank; the program will use Enlarged for that entry. You do not have to enter the ESC part of the code, the program will add that automatically. You can enter the letter ESC code or the number it does not matter: ie ESC code 119 can be entered as "119" or "w". (Do not enter any " "s!) From...: This lets you put in your own address. If you wish to have a different name, ie Jones Inc, on the return address, just put your own name in Signature and the company name in the Name Blocks. WipeOut!: Lets you delete entire classes of data, see above for fuller explanation. Import Data: Selecting this will bring up the Import menu. Select the fields that you want to import. Next you will be asked if you want companies added that are new and if you want to delete entries that have been deleted. If you have added entries on your own that are not in the file from Unicorn answer N, otherwise it will delete the entries you added. Stand back and let the computer work. It will take awhile to do this operation but it is well worth it! When complete older entries will have an up/down arrow sign and new entries will have a right arrow sign. Shell To DOS: You can exit temporarily to DOS by using that option on the Utilities Menu. The file COMMAND.COM must be on root directory of the same disk as the other program files to do this. You must return to the subdirectory/drive of CompUser prior to entering EXIT to return to the program. -12- Upgrading To Version 2.70: In order to maintain your old data files from previous versions you MUST perform the following steps: 1. On your current work drive/directory, rename the file COLOUR.SET to COLOUR.OLD. ie RENAME COLOUR.SET COLOUR.OLD. 2. Copy ALL the files from version 2.70 to your work drive/directory, EXCEPT DIST.DAT & SPEEDY.NTX. 3. Start the program and when the Default SetUp screen appears go to the block for Data Drive and enter a capital X, then hit the PageDown key. 4. The program will grab your old defaults and use your old PostCard files automatically. 5. Use the Import feature to update to the current data file. 6. Registered Users have the option of sending their old COLOUR.SET file to Unicorn Software (along with .75 postage) and having the upgrade performed for them. Problems: If you encounter any problems with the program WRITE! {Also see Tech Asst below}. Unicorn believes in supporting its programs and has been doing so since the first one was released in 1984. Technical Assistance: Both registered and unregistered Users can obtain technical assistance by calling (219)563-HOME (4663). Unregistered Users will need to provide the name and address of where they obtained the software from in order to gain this assistance. This will let us go back to that compnay if they are distributing an older version and it helps us track who is distributing the program. The number is manned (by a human) from 6:00 to 9:00 PM EST, all other hours by an answering machine. Unicorn Software Support conferences exist on the following BBSs: ** The Kokomo BBS: 317-457-9100 ** The RoadHouse BBS: 317-784-2147 (FIDONET 1:231/290) Both BBSs allow first time downloads and will always have the latest versions of Unicorn's software. Unicorn Software programs are available via "File Request" from The RoadHouse BBS (1:231/290). You can FREQ the magic name "UNICORN" from 1:231/290 for information on Unicorn Programs and their FREQable "magic" names.) -13- ******************* Also, we monitor the Shareware conference on the following networks: RIME, Intelec, NANet, MediaNET, and NAPNet. The regional hub for RIME in Indiana (IBM-NET) will upload any of Unicorn's files to the net on request: ** IBM-Net BBS: 317-882-5575 ******************* All of Unicorn's programs are also available through the Shareware Distribution Network (SDN), and may be downloaded from any SDN location. The Central Indiana SDN contact point is: ** Someplace BBS 317-353-9981 (FIDONET 1:231/120) The above listed BBSs will always have the latest versions within hours of release. Additionally, these BBSs have proven to be reliable and worth the cost of every minute of connect time. Even if you are not looking for our latest versions: Give Them A Call! -14- Explanations Of Asscociations(Taken from the Associations themselves): ASP: The Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP) was formed in 1987 to strengthen the future of 'shareware' (user-supported software) as an alternative to software distributed under normal retail marketing methods. ASP members subscribe to a code of ethics and are committed to the concept of shareware as a way of marketing. The ASP itself does NOT rate members' software for functionality or usefulness. That is for you -- the user -- to decide. Shareware software, especially that which is authorized to carry the ASP logo, can be tested on a try-before-you-buy basis. If the application doesn't fit your needs, you won't have to worry about getting a refund. (That's the beauty of the shareware marketing concept.) 'These programs are produced by members 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 545 Grover Rd. Muskegon, MI 49442 or send a Compuserve message to 72050,1433. Disk Vendors 'Shareware is as safe as commercial software if obtained directly from an author or from a vendor or BBS who has gotten the disk directly from the author. -- an official ASP statement on shareware Disk vendors, especially ASP-approved disk vendors, provide a much-needed service in the growing shareware market. They help spread the word about shareware by offering a copying service for those without modems. They keep up to date with current versions of the best shareware programs on the market. Many disk vendors offer a free complimentary catalog of products, a toll-free order line, and more. IND: The Independent Shareware Dealer's Association has failed to answer letters and return phone calls as of 6/1/91. Unless some statement of purpose and verification of distributors claiming membership can be obtained, this association will be removed with the next mailing. -15- ISP: A lot of Shareware authors while agreeing with the concepts of ASP do not have the time nor the money to be members of the organization. Those agreeing to abide by the ASP principals are annotated as being ISPs (Independent Shareware Professionals). DAR: Darwin's BBS listing is available on most BBS systems, it is a free listing. However, being listed in Darwin's is a thing of pride to a lot of BBS SysOps so for the sake of those who have contacted us to put that down as their association we have done so. We do not list all of Darwin's BBSs, only those we would normally list have been updated to show the DAR association. Here's what Darwin's says about their USBBS listing: *Minimum* requirements for NEW listings on USBBS include: (1) Modem(s) supporting 2400 bps or greater operation; (2) 60 MB of disk capacity devoted to the BBS (3) Substantially 24hr/7 day service The USBBS list is QUITE selective and is for BBSs that are oriented to serious users of DOS computers. BBSs that focus on games, "adults only" topics, dating and similar services or subjects will not be included. These criteria are admittedly subjective and rest in the discretion of the editor of the list. The list is FREE, the editing is costly and thus impolite complaints will be politely ignored. PDS: Another BBS list is Public Domain/Sharware (PDS) BBS List. This list conatins the numbers of over 1500 BBSs, but is much less selective than Darwin and is having a hard time keeping up with BBSs as they open and close. The only BBSs listed in CompUser are those that were confirmed by Unicorn. Again if you want the complete list check your local BBS. In their words: The Public Domain/Shareware BBS listing is published EVERY MONTH and is made available, FREE, on OVER 900 bbs's throughout the United States. The content of the BBS listing is believed to be accurate but there are NO GUARANTEES WHATSOVER that the BBS systems listed here are functional or in fact are what the listing describes them as. SDN: SDNet/Works! (sm) is the "Shareware Distribution Network" international in reach. Shareware programs are distributed directly to participating BBS sysops for downloadable posting by thousands of online -16- users. Shareware authors, because of their contribution to BBS'ing as a hobby, deserved some recognition, a mature forum to present their programs from. Sysops who participate in the SDN activity encourage user registration of shareware and present shareware in a safe, clean and mature manner. REASONS FOR SDN We at SDNet/Works! know (as BBS sysops) that programs both old and new seep from BBS to BBS by "user osmosis", user uploading. It is the lucky program that makes wide distribution. From the authors standpoint distribution by user osmosis is spotty at best. At its worst, the program file is outdated, bad phone lines allowed transfer errors to crept in, users have modified or re-packed with parts missing. Once corrupted it is uploaded to the next BBS - to the next - to the next - passed on and on. The growing proportions of Trojan and virus hacked mutilations sometimes replace real programs. All this is a loss to sysops and users, lost registration to authors and a loss to the user-supported concept. SDNet/Works! INFORMATION BBS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gordon Tackett, the SDN Assistant Project Manager, operates a full SDN Information system in Portland Oregon USA. Posted there is up to date informational files originaly published at The SDN Project... and more. Gordon, a shareware author himself, accomplishes much of the public relations aspect for SDNet/Works! and can be contacted by leaving message on his BBS at 503-629-0517 or fido-netmail 1:105/324fidonet 1200/2400/9600HST 8,N,1. Gordon can also be reached in the SHAREWARE echo and the SDN_PUBLIC echo on the fidonet backbone and many local BBS systems. You can also write him at: Gordon Tackett 3845 North West 183rd Avenue Portland, OR. 97229 -17- Why Bother With B & C Companies? In the case of Shareware Libraries B & C companies offer the perfect blend of the ordinary and the unusual. They are generally smaller and more daring with what they offer. A new Shareware author is generally accepted more easily into the catalog/listing and as a result the diversity of programs is generally better. Therefore, a B or C company is more likely to have a program for maintaining a list of your matchbook covers than an A company. Also, these companies are generally run by a few or only one person, so they have a larger stake in what goes into the catalog. They are more likely to look at each submission and judge it than some of the larger companies. Finally, B & C companies are not to be seen as less than A companies, the rating is meant to assist you in finding the right companies for you. For some the B list will be more valuable than the A list. For the Shareware Author: This is the perfect place to start out, then advance to the A libraries. They are more responsive in many ways and you are more likely to get a catalog entry. Also, if you have a program with a limited scope; you stand a better chance of being listed with a B or C company than an A. For the Shareware User: After you have the standard programs (database, word processor, etc) look here for the more off the wall stuff. This is where you might find a program to help you document your collection of Zuni golf tees. -18- BBS Ratings BBSs that are just starting out are rated N for New. This remains in effect for 6 months; long enough to insure a continued presence. After 6 months it is rated based on User input and a personal 'wander' through the BBS. A: USUALLY a multi node, national BBS. Has several conference areas and wide ranging User base. The latest versions of software and an excellent selection. Worth the long distance charges it would take to tie in and worth the cost of subscribing. B: USUALLY a single node, state or region wide BBS. Has several conference areas possibly a limited User base (Some specialty boards fit into this category). A majority of the latest versions of software and a good selection. Possibly worth the long distance charges it would take to tie in. C: USUALLY a single node, city or state wide BBS. Has some conference areas possibly a limited User base usually limited by geography. Some of the latest versions of software and a fair selection. Not really worth the long distance charges, but if you are in the area it is worth a call. A,B & C are not derogatory, they are usually meant more as a defintion in size and quality. B & C rated organizations are prone to have a wider variety of off the beaten path software. They are usually run by the person who owns them and it is where many new Shareware authors get their start. D & F are derogatory: D: Has a large base of dated shareware on line (older versions or programs no longer in release). Poor Sysop attitude towards users. Fees higher than the BBS could possibly be worth. Sysop has a threatening posture towards new users. Message base and the BBS in general is poorly maintained. F: Has copywritten or pirated software on line. May or may not have a large selection of Shareware; usually it is several years/versions old. Sysop maintains an "I'm in it for the money" attitiude and usually has poor maintenance practices for the BBS. Customer service for users is non existant. -19- Other Unicorn Programs Available All programs are MSDOS compatible, run on 256K RAM, use IBM graphics/laser printers, mono or colour monitor, and can operate on one/two or hard disk drives (except DayMaster & CompUser which require a hard or high density drive). The User can set the colours, printer codes, default data drive and data file name. There are no 'crippled' features or options. The only difference between the shareware and registered versions is the lack of 'plea' screens on the registered version and the clarity of the Users conscience. Amount in {} is price for registration. The *Master Series CDMaster - To help Users catalog their CDs and assist in printing catalogs, listings and labels for the case and front of the CD. There are entries for CD Number, Title, Artist, and up to 24 Tunes as well as Category and 3 User defined fields. The program will hold up to 9999 CDs (depending on disk space) and can be used to find even a single song. It will also produce a list of every Tune User have in addition to the regular catalogs and case inserts. Find! option locates CDs by any of the data fields or by a User defined mix of data fields. {$25} AlbumMaster - To help Users catalog their Albums and assist with printing catalogs, listings and labels for the front of the Album. There are entries for Album Number, Title, Artist, and up to 12 Tunes on each side as well as Category and 3 User defined fields. The User can defin fields for use as producer, writer, opinions etc. The program will hold up to 9999 Albums (depending on disk space) and can be used to find even a single song. It will also produce a list of every Tune User have in addition to the regular catalogs. Multiple data field Finds! and User designed listing make this a must have for audiophiles. {$25} CassetteMaster - To help User catalog their cassette tapes and print catalogs, listings and inserts for the case and front of the tape. There are entries for Tape Number, Title, Artist, and up to 14 Tunes on each side as well as Category. The User can also define three entries for use as producer, writer, opinions etc. The program will hold up to 9999 individual Tapes, with two Titles per Tape (depending on disk space) and can be used to find even a single song. It will also produce a list of every Tune User have in addition to the regular catalogs. The case inserts not only print all the tunes, artist, and title but the User defined info as well. Find! and Criteria print option make this very useful for the 'home recorder' or the 'store bought' cassette tape User. {$25} VideoMaster - To help User catalog their video tapes and assist User in printing catalogs, standard and User customized listings and labels for the spine and front of the tape. There are entries for Tape Number, Title, Rating, Start Point, Star, Co Star, three User defined entries and a seven -20- line Synopsis as well as Category. User can find any tape by any field. The program can handle up to 5 titles per tape, with the data file only being limited by disk space. Great for the home video buff. {$25} PostCardMaster - The program will help User compose post cards and maintain addresses on disk. Then User may retrieve either listings of the addresses and cards, address labels, 3X5 cards, 4X6 post cards or Roladex cards. The primary purpose of the program is to print post cards, and address them for the User. Post cards cost 1/3 the price of a letter and in some cases are equally as good ie meeting notices, invitations, change of address. This program is a update for an earlier Unicorn Software release called FORWARD2. {$20} DayMaster - The program provides User with trivia, birthdays, anniversaries for a particular date, but also allows User to include their own information for any date. It also gives a quote for the day, and informs User of any reminders (Weekly/Daily/Monthly/Single/Annual/Range Of Dates) the User might have. All of this can take place at boot up or any other time User activate the program. The data file contains over 2500 historical events and quotes. {$20} The OMNI* Series OMNIDiZk - A disk cataloger and labeling utility. Features: Reads a floppy into memory and lets User save the data (The saving is optional); Print out 4 X 1 7/16 or 3 X 15/16 labels as well as catalogs; Perform Find! searches on any files that User has saved; Print lists of every file name in the data file; Allow complete Updates of disks or of just the title info; Lets User enter a 23 character title, 3 character code and two lines of remarks up to 52 characters each; Lets User set the data and read drives. {$20} OMNIDay - Handles up to 10 Users with PassCode protection for privacy, optional encryption of data with 10,000 possibilities per User, automatic entry of text date line, and a full function text editor with online Help. The data file is dynamic (only as large as entries) and can be located on any drive. Daily entries can be from 1 to 5000 lines with the ability to change history (Alter Entry) and the ability to make history vanish (Erase Entry). The Reminisce feature allows User to 'thumb' through entries. Prints out the entire opus or selected dates. User names the opus and enters their name into program for use on screen and in print outs. {$25} The *4D Series DiZk4D - The first dizk cataloging system specifically written for 4DOS. DiZk4D will: Read a floppy into memory and lets User save the data (The saving is optional). Lets the User enter a 21 character title, 4 digit DiZk Change or add file descriptions. Users have the option of using the same -21- description for all files, or describing them individually using a full screen editor. Prints out 4 X 1 7/16 or 3 X 15/16 labels of the file names or of file names and descriptions. Prints out or writes to a file complete or select listings and catalogs. Prints out a complete list of all file information, or writes that information to a file. Perform Find! searches on any filename, description, date, title, DiZk number (alphanumeric), code, or remarks. Allows complete Updates of DiZks or of just the title info. Lets User use Auto numbering of DiZks. {$25} Check with your favourite shareware dealer or do one of the following: 1. Send three blank formatted disks for each title desired to Unicorn and we'll copy them for you. {Each title fits on one disk, the extra disks cover P&H} 2. Send three dollars per title and we'll send them to you. Enjoy! Charles P. Schell IV Author -22- UPDATE FORM Update/Delete/Add (Circle One) Company:_______________________________________________________________________ Attn:__________________________________________________________________________ Address:_______________________________________________________________________ Phone:_________________________________________________________________________ Association:___________________________________________________________________ ALL INFORMATION WILL BE VERIFIED BEFORE THE DATA FILE IS CHANGED! -23- Updates 2.20 All data on ASP members verfied by ASP. Added on screen alert of Distributed Data File. Changed data file to allow update of Remark, Attention and Updated data only on Distributed Data File. Improved DOC. Added Custom List 2.50 Changed all data to use UPPER and lower case. Release 3/13/91 Verfied all Darwin & PDS BBSs. Added Help! screen. Added WipeOut! option. Made multiple creation of data disks possible. Import option now available on all versions. Doubled data file size. Speeded Up Update/Delete & Find! Update now continues where you left off rather than returning to the top. Added several Associations. 2.60 Textured Background and Drop Down Menus Added Canada And Mexico No Longer Listed As Foreign. 2.70 Mousability added On Line Help System Instituted. -24-