Dear SysOp,

Thank you for your interest in becoming a an Approved BBS of the Association 
of Shareware Professionals (ASP).  We are a group of Shareware Authors, Disk 
Vendors, BBSs, User Groups and others who are working to improve the image of 
Shareware as high quality software.  We take the "ASP" mark as a symbol of 
distinction, and work zealously to maintain the highest possible standards 
for the benefit of all our members.

Because of that commitment to quality, your BBS will be subjected to an online
evaluation.  Admission to ASP is by no means automatic: you must demonstrate 
that your BBS meets ASP standards; and you must guarantee that if it is 
accepted as an ASP member, it will maintain those high standards.

Here is a brief explanation of the files you have just received, a look at 
what ASP is all about, and how your application will be processed.

======================================
THE FILES FROM THE APPLICATION PACKAGE
======================================

The file that you are reading now (BBSAPP.TXT), contains all of the 
information you will need to become an ASP Approved BBS. Please note that your 
failure to read and follow these instructions fully may result in your 
application being rejected.

BBSAPP.FRM is an application form.  Detailed instructions for filling it out 
and submitting it are here in BBSAPP.TXT.

Although the instructions in this document are complete, you will need to 
refer to the "BBS Standards".  BBS Standards are detailed in BBSSTD.TXT.

SHAREW.TXT (and optionally BBS-BLTS.TXT) are suggested texts for use in 
constructing the required bulletins for your BBS. An online readable text file 
explaining the ASP and Shareware is required for membership. We recommend that 
such file(s) be posted on your "Bulletins" menu, and should be available to 
callers at ALL security levels. A suggested title for the first bulletin 
(SHAREW.TXT) is "What is Shareware", and the 2nd (optional) bulletin 
(BBS-BLTS.TXT) could be titled "ASP/Shareware". Or, you can combine the two 
into a single bulletin, with a suggested title "What is Shareware & ASP"

ASPOMB.TXT is the entire ASP Ombudsman Policy, and contains specific 
instructions for posting the required portion of the Ombudsman Policy as it 
pertains to BBS members. Please follow the instructions carefully (beginning 
with Section 8). Also please note that we do not recommend posting the entire 
document as a bulletin - only the single paragraph from section 8, edited to 
include the name of your BBS, is required. The required paragraph may also be 
appended to the "ASP/Shareware" bulletin mentioned above, as opposed to 
posting the Ombudsman statement as a separate bulletin. Either way, the 
required text *MUST* be in place on your system prior to the ASP online 
evaluation.

BYLAWSxx.TXT is the current bylaws of the ASP. It is highly recommended that 
all applicants read this document.

BBSLOGO.TXT contains various ASP logos for use on your BBS. BBSLOGO.ANS 
contains an ANSI version of the ASP BBS logo. (These logos are to be used 
*ONLY* after your BBS had been approved!)

================
WHAT IS THE ASP?
================

The ASP is an internationally recognized association for Shareware Authors, 
Disk Vendors, BBSs, User Groups and others striving to produce and distribute 
high quality shareware products.  Our goals are to educate the general public 
on what shareware is and promote professionalism within the shareware 
community.  We strive to set forth standards that guide shareware authors, 
distributors, User Group and BBS operators into a more professional means of 
distributing shareware software.  We promote the sharing of resources and 
information among other members.


=============
THE MECHANICS
=============

How long will it take to become get approved?  That's the question we hear 
most often.  The answer?  Well, it depends.  3 to 6 weeks is typical, but if 
your system is difficult to get access to, if there are questions, or if there 
are changes that need to be made to your system, it could take longer. Keep in 
mind that the ASP is a "volunteer" organization, and all of the work is 
performed by volunteers as time permits. Please allow 3-6 weeks before you 
become concerned about the application process.

Your application must go through several steps.  Here's what happens:

The ASP Executive Director (ED) receives your application and checks it for 
completeness.  I know YOU wouldn't do this, but believe it or not, some folks 
don't read the application directions carefully enough and fail to send in 
what is required.  Some of them leave out their phone number. Others forget to 
include the check.  When that happens, the ED has to send you a letter, then 
you have to go back over all the instructions and apply again.

Once your application is complete, the ED sends sends your application to the 
BBS Membership Committee Chairman (BBSMC).

The BBSMC reviews your application to make sure there are no obvious problems. 
Then the BBSMC will assign your application to one of the ASP BBS Membership 
Committee members to perform the online evaluation.

There are five common hang-ups at this point:

    1.  Your system has not been setup with the required logon account for 
        the ASP to perform the evaluation. You SHOULD set this up while 
        filling in your application.

    2.  During the review process, commercial software (most notably games)
        or commercial software documentation (in violation of copyrights)
        are found on your system.

    3.  The required bulletins regarding Shareware and the ASP were not 
        found on your system for users to read. This included the required
        BBS Ombudsman statement (even tho your system isn't technically
        approved yet, the BBS Ombudsman statement must be in place).

    4.  There was no evidence that the required file library maintenance
        routines are in place. (see BBSSTD.TXT for details, begining with
        section 4.4).

    5.  There was no evidence of an effort to mark your existing file 
        libraries with an "<ASP>" marker (or something similar). While we
        don't expect any sysop to go through their entire library of files,
        we do like to see that at least a minimal effort has already been
        done in this area.
        
If your application fails any of these requirements, but it is obvious that 
you have at least made an effort to prepare your system, you will be notified 
of the problem.  We will work with you to bring your BBS into compliance.  
Once it meets ASP standards, a full check out of your system will be performed 
again to insure compliance with the standards setforth.

HOWEVER .....

If the ASP reviewer judges that too many of the above requirements are lacking 
(indicating that you have not read or followed these instructions), your 
application MAY BE REJECTED. If this happens, you will be asked to submit a 
new application once you have prepared your system according to the 
requirements.

Once your BBS is approved, a message will be left on your BBS to that effect. 
At that point, you are allowed to add the ASP Logo to your BBS screens. The 
BBSMC will also post your BBS information in the in the membership and public 
sections of the ASP Forum on CompuServe, as well as in various other message 
networks dealing with Shareware and the ASP (i.e. FidoNet, RIME, etc). You 
will receive a full membership package in the mail shortly thereafter.

If your BBS does not meet ASP standards, and you refuse to bring it in line 
with the standards, your application for membership in the ASP will be 
rejected. If you disagree with the action of the BBSMC, you may appeal 
directly to the Board of Directors, by writing to the Executive Director 
(address below).

When you start feeling frustrated about the delays (and if you're like most 
SysOps, you probably will!), keep one thing in mind: with the exception of the 
Executive Director", this entire process, beginning to end, is performed by 
volunteers -- volunteer Shareware folks just like you, who have a myriad of 
demands on their time. Please be patient.

======================
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
======================

When you apply, you will send in a check (or credit card information) for $75.  
If a check is used, it must be in US dollars drawn on a USA bank. That amount 
covers your first years' dues.  Technically, the yearly dues period is spread 
out over four calendar quarters, at $18.75 per quarter, starting in the 
quarter that your application is approved. However, regardless of when you 
actually submit your application, you must still submit the full $75; any 
excess will be credited toward your second year dues. 

The dues period for ASP membership runs from January 1 to December 31 of each 
year, and *NOT* from the time that you submit your application, or from the 
time that you are approved for membership.

The annual dues grants the member a subscription to the ASP Newsletter 
"ASPects", access to the CompuServe ASP FORUM "members only" sections, the 
right to use the ASP name and trademarked logo as a BBS member, and a listing 
in the ASP on-disk and printed catalogs. ASP BBS and VENDOR members will 
receive any ASP-sponsored product distribution services, which currently 
includes a monthly-updated CD-ROM disk.


========================
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO JOIN?
========================

ASP Membership is open to all SysOps of BBSs and OnLine services which 
electronically distribute programs marketed and supported as shareware, who 
agree to abide by standards adopted by the association, and whose membership, 
in the judgment of the BBS Membership Committee, will not be detrimental to 
the goals or reputation of the ASP.


===============
HOW DO I APPLY?
===============

You must follow these instructions, precisely, in order. (Please! Follow the 
instructions!  If your application is returned it only adds to the delay and 
the confusion....)

A)  Read the rest of this document.

B)  Follow the instructions in this document to answer all the questions on 
    the BBSAPP.FRM.  Fill out the BBSAPP.FRM application form electronically, 
    and then print out a copy.  We MUST have both a printed copy and an 
    electronic of the BBSAPP.FRM file, properly completed, in order to process 
    your application.

C)  An electronic copy of the completed BBSAPP.FRM application form should be 
    placed on a blank floppy disk. This will allow the ASP "ED" to forward 
    your application electronically to the BBSMC, and will speed up the 
    process a bit.

D)  If you have extra information about your system, ie brochures, magazine 
    reviews, etc.  Send those too!  It is your opportunity to show off your 
    best side.

E)  Create a "user account" for the BBS evaluator to logon with. This should 
    be a user account with the name and password that you have listed on the 
    BBSAPP.FRM.  It should have high enough security setting so that the BBSMC 
    evaluator can fully evaluate your system. Please set this account up as 
    "NO COLOR / ANSI / GRAPHICS" - if the investigator desires to use these 
    features, he/she can turn them on after they logon. [NOTE: Many sysops 
    *OFTEN* forget to actually set up this account (even after listing the 
    logon name and password on the form), and thus cause delays in the 
    approval process].

F)  Add the necessary Bulletins to your system, and make any other changes 
    necessary for approval.  Remember, that all the files can be included now, 
    EXCEPT the ASP Approved Logo. (NOTE: This is also a step that many sysops 
    forget to do, and only adds to the delays.)

G)  Put ALL of the following into one package:

    1) A signed and dated printout of the completed BBSAPP.FRM file.
    2) An electronic copy of the completed BBSAPP.FRM on a floppy disk.
    3) Any Additional information.
    4) Either:
       a) A check for $75, in U.S. dollars, drawn on a U.S. bank; or,
       b) The completed credit card charge authorization located
          at the end of BBSAPP.FRM

    Note that $55 of the $75 fee will be refunded if your
    application is not accepted; $20 is a non-refundable
    processing fee.

H)  Mail the package to:
 
    Executive Director
    Association of Shareware Professionals
    545 Grover Road
    Muskegon, MI 49442-9427

===================================================
HERE'S THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILLING OUT BBSAPP.FRM
===================================================

At this point, you should take a look at the file BBSAPP.FRM, and follow 
along as we step you through the form.  These instructions are very important, 
and must be followed precisely. If you don't follow the instructions, you will 
risk delaying the processing of your application by days -- possibly weeks!

===============
THE APPLICATION
===============

Wherever you see an underscore character (i.e. [_______] ) on the application 
form, your answer *MUST* fit within the defined bounds.  In the above example, 
the input field is defined by the square brackets [], and the field allows for 
7 characters of text.  Set your word processor or text editor to "Overstrike" 
and simply type over the underscore characters.  If you go beyond the defined 
areas of each field, your information WILL BE TRUNCATED TO FIT! (We would 
prefer that *YOU* determine where to place any necessary abbreviations).

Fill in your name, address, etc.  Be sure to list the address in proper 
mailing format, exactly as it should appear for international postal delivery. 

If you have access to CompuServe, we strongly urge you to note your CompuServe 
ID number;  we will try to contact you via CompuServe whenever possible, and 
you should check your CompuServe mail every few days while your application is 
being processed. Once you're application is approved, we will automatically 
give you access to the "Members Only" sections of our CompuServe forums, but 
only if you include your CompuServe ID number on your application.

Please be sure to list your specialties in the "Description" area. You should 
also list any local affiliations such as user groups, etc. Also list the main 
focus of your BBS. Don't be tempted to include "quantity" information, such as 
hard drive space, number of CD-ROMs, etc. This information is often quickly 
out-of-date. We would rather know the "qualities" of your system, rather than 
the "quantities".



================
HOW TO GET HELP!
================

If you have questions about your application, please contact the ASP Executive 
Director on CompuServe at 72050,1433.

If you do not have access to CompuServe, try the U.S. Mail:

   Executive Director
   Association of Shareware Professionals
   545 Grover Road
   Muskegon, MI 49442-9427

Or Call:

   (616) 788-5131 (Voice Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Eastern Time)

Or FAX:
 
   (616) 788-2765 (FAX - 24hrs/day)

Thanks!

We all look forward to seeing your application....

Rev 10-Aug-95
Richard Holler
BBS Membership Committee Chairman
