AD-AUT41.TXT v4.1 (updated 08/16/95)

The AUTHOR DIRECT File Distribution Service.               Author Information
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for your interest in participating in this venture. We feel that it 
provides a very valuable distribution service for our ASP authors, taking over 
where the ASP services end.

First of all, let us make a few things absolutely clear before wasting any of 
your valuable time:

1) The submission of files for distribution via this service is reserved for 
ASP Author/Publisher members ONLY. You must be a current ASP member in good 
standing in order to participate in this project.

2) This is *NOT* an ASP-Sponsored project. It is a private endeavour, and not 
officially sponsored or funded by the ASP in any way.

Now, with all that out of the way, we can get on to the other stuff.


THE TECHNOLOGY
--------------
Your file(s) are submitted either electronically or on floppy disk to the HQ 
system shown below. From that point, they are processed by the HQ site, and 
copies are placed on hold for the various Regional Hubs to pick up (regional 
hubs poll the HQ site daily!), who will then place copies of your file on hold 
for the various end nodes to pick up (end node are required to poll their hubs 
AT LEAST twice weekly). 

Copies of your file(s) are also placed on hold at the HQ site for pickup by 
the various other distribution services that we provide service for. Your 
single disk has the potential of reaching virtually thousands of BBSs and 
other distribution services within days (sometimes hours) of it being received 
at the HQ site.


THE REQUIREMENTS
----------------
The author submission requirements for participation in The AUTHOR DIRECT File 
Distribution Service are fairly minimal and straight forward. While they are 
simple, they are also necessary and strictly enforced.

1) Your file must submitted be in archived format. While you are free to use 
any of the standard archive formats (ZIP, ARC, ARJ, LZH, etc), be advised that 
the network processing *will* convert your archive to PKZIP v2.04g format. 
(NOTE: If your ZIPd files contain a valid PKZIP Authenticity Verification 
stamp, we will *not* rearchive the files, thus leaving your AV stamp intact).

2) Your file must contain a valid, properly formatted FILE_ID.DIZ file. We 
recommend that you obtain a copy of Fred Hill's DIZGEN utility, which will 
interactively create properly formatted FILE_ID.DIZ files for you. You can 
logon to The RoadHouse BBS (317-784-2147) and download a copy. Use the logon 
name of AUTHOR DIRECT, and the password NETWORK.

   2a) You should also be advised that this network will support the VENDINFO 
   concept (created by H. Rudy Ramsey) when it is released and in wide-spread 
   use, and the AUTHOR-DIRECT Service reserves the right to also require the 
   VENDINFO file format at some point in the future. A suitable grace period 
   will be allowed.

3a) You *MUST* send your files on disk (360k, 720k, 1.2M, or 1.44M accepted - 
720k preferred), to the HQ site. Since distribution permissions are granted, 
and signatures are required, we are not able to make provisions for electronic 
submissions. Your submission must include a hard copy printout of the 
completed submission form (AD-AUTxx.FRM). See instructions below.

-or-

3b) Files may be submitted electronically, provided that the author has 
established a blanket permissions ID in advance, and follows the instructions 
contained in the file BLNKETxx.TXT. Your submission must include an electronic 
copy of the completed submission form (AD-AUTxx.FRM) according to the 
instructions in BLNKETxx.TXT.

5) Your submission must include the necessary network processing fees. There 
is a "basic" fee of $15 per program, which covers the actual processing of the 
file into the network, plus additional fees for multi-part files or optional 
services that you wish (see details below).

   5a) Multi-file programs (i.e. programs that are distributed as more than 
   1 compressed file) will be charged an additional $5/file for each 
   additional file. For example, if your program is distributed as 3 
   compressed files, the fee would be the basic $15, plus an additional $10 
   for the additional 2 files. The total cost for the "basic" network 
   distribution would be $25 for all 3 files. Please note that we *strongly*
   discourage the use of multi-part filesets.

   5b) If your file contains a valid VENDINFO.DIZ file, you may take a $5
   discount from the above basic fee, thus reducing the "basic" fee back
   down to $10.

   5c) In addition to the basic network distribution, we also offer a variety 
   of other "optional" services, which *may* require additional fees. The fees
   for these additional services are outlined below.

Credit Card payments (VISA/MasterCard) are accepted. If you wish to use this 
form of payment for the processing fees, simply fill out *and sign* the credit 
card information block at the bottom of the form. Be *sure* that you fill in 
the "TOTAL ENCLOSED" portion of the form, so there is no confusion about the 
amount that will be charged to your credit card.

6) Your distribution license *must* grant blanket distribution rights for all 
BBS systems, so that our BBS participants are assured that they have rights to 
freely distribute any files received via this network on their BBS systems.

   6a) NOTE: We will allow Disk Vendors and certain CD-ROM producers to also 
   participate in this network, but these "blanket" distribution rights will 
   not apply to them. They will be subject to any distribution requirements 
   and/or restrictions specified in your license documentation.


------------
RESTRICTIONS
------------
Authors who submit programs for distribution via the various services provided 
by the Author-Direct Service must be aware that our services have the 
potential of being distributed internationally. Do not submit programs or 
materials that are restricted in distribution by the United States Government 
or restricted in distribution by copyright laws. By submitting your products 
to the Author-Direct Service, you assume the responsibility of your products 
being distributed so widely and freely.

The submitting author is responsible for insuring that submitted files do not 
violate any of the following restrictions or requirements:

1)  All files must be ASP Compliant.

2)  NO Pornography (pictures or text).

3)  NO Government restricted encryption.

4)  NO Marketing schemes for retail products or services
       masquerading as 'shareware'.

5)  NO Shareware products which are marketed as "retail"
       products in other countries.

6)  NO Programs or information intended for illegal uses.


-------------------
THE SUBMISSION FORM
-------------------
We realize that many of you may be thinking that this is yet another needless 
submission form. However, we feel that the form is necessary in order to 
provide a proper audit trail of all submissions, as well as being necessary 
for the various distribution permissions (and signatures) required for some 
additional services. Please accommodate us by completing the form. Think of it 
this way - by your editing, printing, and submitting of this single form along 
with your file, your file will be posted for downloading by virtually hundreds 
of BBS systems throughout the world, as well as being distributed via 
additional services.

A completed submission form *MUST* be included with your submitted file(s), 
either on the floppy disk, or submitted electronically with your uploaded 
file. In either case, it should be renamed to <filename>.FRM, where <filename> 
matches the primary filename of the submitted file.

Please note that when filling out the submission form, you may skip any items 
which contain (*) IF your product contains a valid VENDINFO.DIZ file. The 
information for these items will be extraced from your VENDINFO.DIZ file, and 
imported directly into our system.


AUTHOR INFORMATION SECTION:
---------------------------
The Author information (name, address, phone number, etc) must be provided so 
that we have a way to contact you in the event of a problem. Please be sure to 
list your complete mailing address. If you have a CompuServe account, then you 
should also include your CIS ID. Likewise, you should list your INTERNET 
address if you have one. Any FidoNet or RIME network address may be listed 
here as well. All of this information will be for network use *only* and will 
be considered confidential.


SUBMITTED FILE(S) INFORMATION SECTION:
--------------------------------------
This section describes the program, and its associated distribution files. 

The first item is for the actual distribution archive filename(s). If your 
program is to be distributed on normal BBS systems as a multi-file set, then 
each filename of the set should be listed. NOTE: this section is *NOT* for 
listing multiple programs, but only for listing multiple distribution files 
for the same program. Each separate "program" that you submit requires a 
separate submission form.

IMPORTANT: The filename(s) *must* be unique for this particular release. 
           Unlike Compuserve, each file distributed via this network (or 
           BBSs in general, for that matter) must have a unique filename. 
           This filename must be different from that of a previous release, 
           or the processing software will interpret it as a duplicate of 
           the previous one. Also, be aware that the filename(s) that you
           use for this distribution can not be used again in the future.
           This is just one reason that we recommend including the program
           version number as a part of the distribution filename.

Following that is a section which allows you to define the associated file 
name for your product if it is to be uploaded to the PCNET (formerly known as 
IBMNET) and/or ZENITH forums on CompuServe, and/or the PBS forums on ZiffNet. 
The use of these CompuServe-based services has a few special restrictions and 
requirements:

1)  Only 1 single file is allowed for uploading to the PCNET, ZENITH, and 
    ZIFFNET/PBS services.  ZiffNet will no longer accept multi-part files. 
    While the PCNET forums will *accept* multi-part files, they actually 
    prefer single files. As such, we have decided to only allow single files 
    for our distribution to these services. 

    If your normal BBS product is distributed as a multi-part fileset, and 
    you wish to also use our CompuServe-based uploading services, then you 
    must also include the additional "single file" archive on your submission 
    disk, in addition to the multi-part fileset. (If your BBS distribution
    file is also a single ZIP archive, there is no need to supply a separate
    archive for CIS/ZNT - we'll simply use the BBS file with the CIS/ZNT name)

2)  The filename used for this option *must* be generic (i.e. it cannot 
    include any reference to the product version number. Most CIS-based 
    forums frown on version numbers in filenames, and ZiffNet will no 
    longer accept files with version number references in the filenames.

3)  If you have submitted a previous version of the same product to us, you 
    should use the same generic filename that was used before. We will do some
    checking in this regard, and will change this filename if necessary to
    match the generic filename that was used previously.

If these requirements and restrictions present a problem for you, or if you 
don't agree with this policy, then simply say "N" to these distribution 
options, and upload to those services directly.

Remember - If you elect to use the PCNET, ZENITH, or ZIFFNET/PBS options, 
*and* your normal product is a multi-part fileset, please *also* include the 
single distribution file on your disk for distribution to those CIS/ZNT based 
services.


The next portion provides information which will be used to create an online 
file description for use by the automated processing software. This 
information will be provided to the BBS system (via software) to allow for 
unattended processing and immediate online availability of your file. This 
particular description is provided as a benefit for those systems which do not 
make use of the FILE_ID.DIZ description file. The online description will be 
created by combining the information from fields A, B, and C, and will 
automatically include an <ASP> marker. Here is a sample of the format that 
will be used:

  MY PROGRAM v1.2 <ASP> - A unique utility that clears hard drive space.

Multiple file sets will also include an appropriate file number indicator, 
such as "(1of2)". (NOTE: This will be added by AD - do not include it on your 
form)

The software is somewhat limited in total description length, and the network 
coordinators may edit your description accordingly if the combined length of 
the fields exceeds the limits. We realize that this short description may be 
inadequate to fully describe your program, but we emphasize that this 
description is *only* provided for those systems which do *NOT* make use of 
FILE_ID.DIZ. Be sure to actually *describe* your program, as opposed to 
*advertising* it (i.e. don't "hype" the program via the description).

Following that is a field for you to provide KEYwords for your product. These 
keywords should be separated by spaces, and not commas. This field is only 
necessary if you have selected any of the PCNET, ZENITH, or ZIFFNET/PBS 
uploading options.


After the program description information, you must select a product category 
for your program. The files will be distributed in the following categories:

  Program Topic:      Category:         Program Topic:         Category:
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Business/Finance    AD-BUS            OS/2 Applications      AD-OS2APPS
  Communication       AD-COMM           OS/2 Desktop Tools     AD-OS2DESK
  DOS Applications    AD-DOSAPPS        OS/2 Games             AD-OS2GAME
  DOS Desktop Tools   AD-DOSDESK        OS/2 Utilities         AD-OS2UTIL
  DOS Games           AD-DOSGAME        Programming Misc       AD-PROGMISC
  DOS Utilities       AD-DOSUTIL        Programming Tools      AD-PROGTOOL
  Education           AD-EDUCAT         Vertical Markets       AD-VERTICAL
  Engineering/Math    AD-ENGMATH        Windows Applications   AD-WINAPPS
  Graphics            AD-GRAPHIC        Windows Desktop Tools  AD-WINDESK
  Home/Hobby          AD-HOMEHOBY       Windows Games          AD-WINGAME
  Miscellaneous       AD-MISC           Windows Utilities      AD-WINUTIL

You *MUST* select a category (and only 1 category) for your file. The network 
will not be responsible for selecting the category for you. However, we do 
reserve the right to change a category if we feel an alternate category 
would be more appropriate for the file.


PREVIOUS VERSION INFORMATION SECTION:
-------------------------------------
This section is provided so that you can specify a previous version BBS 
filename of your program, which is to be removed from distribution. You 
*MUST* legally own the rights to any filename that you list here. In some 
cases, the file listed here will be automatically removed by the software, 
if the sysop has enabled this option. You must specify only the 
distribution archive filename of the file that you want removed (i.e. the 
software can only handle filenames, not program names). This filename 
*MUST* be different from the filename that you are submitting for 
distribution, and can not contain "wildcards". 

(NOTE: the current processing software will only process a *single* filename, 
so be sure to list only your most recent version to be removed).

------------------------
BASIC NETWORK SUBMISSION
------------------------
The basic service includes automatic distribution to:

  1) our hub-based network of BBS systems throughout the US and Canada, 
  2) the Planet Connect satellite system, which distributes the files to 
     well over 1,000 BBSs in North America,
  3) the Pagesat satellite system, which distributes the files to well
     over 500 BBSs in North America,
  4) BBS systems via the FidoNet Filebone system, which distributes files 
     world-wide via FidoNet BBS systems

-------------------------
OPTIONAL SERVICES OFFERED
-------------------------
We offer a variety of additional distribution services that you may optionally 
select. Most of these additional services will require additional fees. Since 
some of these fees are based on the size of the files being distributed, it 
may be more economical for authors to distribute directly to these services. 
However, these optional services may be worth the additional expense in terms 
of convenience, as you only need to mail a single disk to a single site, and 
then have the files distributed to all of the various distribution services 
that you have selected.

Please note that these additional services are "optional", and do not affect 
the basic distribution of your files via the AUTHOR DIRECT File Distribution 
Service in any way. You can choose to participate in any of them, all of them, 
or none of them, and still use the services of our FDN.

Be aware that the use of these optional services implies that the author is 
granting distribution rights to these services. If any author has any problem 
with these distribution rights, they are free to negotiate directly with the 
providers of these services. If you don't want to provide these blanket 
distribution rights, simply don't select these services.

Our intention here is to simply make it easy for our ASP authors to submit 
their files to numerous distribution services while only mailing a single disk 
to a single distribution point.


1) Submission to an INTERNET FTP Site
-------------------------------------
If you select this option, we will automatically provide your file(s) directly 
to our Internet service provider. Once there, your file(s) will be available 
to anyone on the Internet, via annonymous ftp request to ftp.secret.com in 
their AD-FTP file area. Files will be maintained on that service for a full 
year, unless they are replaced by a newer release.

This is a surcharged service, and the fees are based on your ZIP archive file 
sizes, according to the following schedule:

 Files of    0 - 1024Kb (0,000,000 - 1,048,576 bytes) are charged $ 7.50 ea
 Files of 1025 - 2048Kb (1,048,577 - 2,097,152 bytes) are charged $15.00 ea
 Files of 2049 - 3072Kb (2,097,153 - 3,145,728 bytes) are charged $22.50 ea
 Files of 3073 - 4096Kb (3,145,729 - 4,194,304 bytes) are charged $30.00 ea


2) Submission to the ASP CD-ROM Projects
----------------------------------------
If you select this option, your file(s) will be delivered to the producer of 
the ASP CD-ROMs for inclusion on the next available release of said CD-ROM 
discs. All files submitted via this optional service must fully comply with 
any and all existing ASP requirements and restrictions regarding those CD-ROM 
projects. This option requires that you submit the necessary <filename>.DOZ 
submission information file, generated by VendInfo (v1.20) or generated by the 
utility provided by the CD-ROM provider. This DOZ file *must* be submitted 
separately, and *NOT* packaged inside the distribution ZIP archive.

This is a surcharged service. The fees for this optional service are based on 
the transfer times for the total of files (i.e. the size of the distribution 
ZIP archive PLUS the size of the DOZ submission information file), at off-peak 
long distance telephone rates, per the following schedule:

 Files of    0 -  400Kb (0,000,000 - 0,409,600 bytes) are charged $0.50
 Files of  401 -  800Kb (0,409,601 - 0,819,200 bytes) are charged $1.00
 Files of  801 - 1200Kb (0,819,201 - 1,228,800 bytes) are charged $1.50
 Files of 1201 - 1600Kb (1,228,801 - 1,638,400 bytes) are charged $2.00
 Files of 1601 - 2000Kb (1,638,401 - 2,048,000 bytes) are charged $2.50
 Files of 2001 - 2400Kb (2,048,001 - 2,457,600 bytes) are charged $3.00
 Files of 2401 - 2800Kb (2,457,601 - 2,867,200 bytes) are charged $3.50
 Files of 2801 - 3200Kb (2,867,201 - 3,276,800 bytes) are charged $4.00

Please be aware that for this option, the "BBS" filenames will be used (which 
includes the version number). This is because the CD-ROM discs are widely used 
by BBS operators, both ASP and non-ASP. In order for proper file library 
maintenance to take place, the version-specific filenames are necessary for 
users of the ASP CD-ROMs, rather than any "generic" filenames.


3) Submission to the ASP Forum on the Microsoft Network (MSN)
-------------------------------------------------------------
If you select this option, your file(s) will be delivered to the administrator 
of the ASP Forum on the Microsoft Network (MSN). This option requires that 
your ZIP archive include a valid VENDINFO.DIZ file.

 * Please be aware that the monthly ASP CD-ROM is also used for feeding files
   to the ASP Forum on the Microsoft Network. If you are sending your file(s) 
   to the ASP CD-ROM, then you may not need to select this option unless you 
   want to get your file onto the Microsoft Network prior to the next issue 
   of the ASP CD-ROM.

This is a surcharged service. The fees for this optional service are based on 
the transfer times for the file, at off-peak long distance telephone rates, 
per the following schedule:

 Files of    0 -  400Kb (0,000,000 - 0,409,600 bytes) are charged $0.50
 Files of  401 -  800Kb (0,409,601 - 0,819,200 bytes) are charged $1.00
 Files of  801 - 1200Kb (0,819,201 - 1,228,800 bytes) are charged $1.50
 Files of 1201 - 1600Kb (1,228,801 - 1,638,400 bytes) are charged $2.00
 Files of 1601 - 2000Kb (1,638,401 - 2,048,000 bytes) are charged $2.50
 Files of 2001 - 2400Kb (2,048,001 - 2,457,600 bytes) are charged $3.00
 Files of 2401 - 2800Kb (2,457,601 - 2,867,200 bytes) are charged $3.50
 Files of 2801 - 3200Kb (2,867,201 - 3,276,800 bytes) are charged $4.00

Please be aware that for this option, the "BBS" filenames will be used (which 
includes the version number).


4) Submission To PsL's "The PsL Monthly CD"
-------------------------------------------
If you select this option, your file(s) will be deliverd to P(s)L via the 
Planet Connect system, for possible inclusion on their monthly-updated CD-ROM 
disk. We will also notify P(s)L that you have granted them permission to 
distribute your file on their CD-ROM projects. This is a free service.

In order to use this optional service, you must be willing to grant CD-ROM 
distribution rights (only for the CD-ROM title listed to above) to PsL for 
your files, and your signature to that effect is required on the submission 
form. These distribution rights will supersede any contrary restrictions 
listed in your standard documentation. Please note that selecting this 
optional service does *not* guarantee that your program will automatically be 
included on the PsL monthly CD. This merely allows you to submit your product 
to them for consideration.


OPTIONAL UPLOADING SERVICES
----------------------------
The following upload services are provided in addition to the standard and ASP 
services. They are all covered by a single surcharge of $5. In other words, 
you may select as many of them as you wish, all for the same $5 charge.


5) Upload to the PCNET (formerly IBMNET) Forum Libraries
--------------------------------------------------------
If you select this option, we will automatically upload your file(s) directly 
to the PCNET forum libraries on CompuServe.

Please note that our policy requires only a single file for this service, even 
if a multi-part fileset is being submitted for "normal" BBS distribution. 
Also, the filename for this file must be generic (i.e. it must not contain a 
reference to the version #).


6) Upload to the ZENITH Forum Libraries
---------------------------------------
If you select this option, we will automatically upload your file(s) directly 
to the ZENITH forum libraries on CompuServe.

Please note that our policy requires only a single file for this service, even 
if a multi-part fileset is being submitted for "normal" BBS distribution. 
Also, the filename for this file must be generic (i.e. it must not contain a 
reference to the version #).


7) Submission to Ziff-Davis Interactive Services
------------------------------------------------
If you select this option, we will automatically send your file(s) directly to 
the Ziff-Davis Interactive "Author Upload Center" for processing and potential 
distribution via their various online and catalog vending services.

This option allows for Ziff-Davis Interactive to distribute your file(s) on 
their various online (electronic) services, including their PBS BBS system, 
the ZiffNet sections on CompuServe, the ZiffNet sections on Prodigy (following 
review only), and the AT&T Interchange service. It also allows for Ziff-Davis 
Interactive to distribute your file(s) via their PBS Catalog (Disk Vending) 
operations if they choose to do so. Please note that selecting this option 
*does not* guarantee that your file(s) will be included in *all* ZDI services 
- it merely gives ZDI the permission to do so should they select your file(s) 
for any of their services.

Please note that our policy requires only a single file for this service, even 
if a multi-part fileset is being submitted for "normal" BBS distribution. 
Also, the filename for this file must be generic (i.e. it must not contain a 
reference to the version #).


---------------------
SUBMITTING YOUR FILES
---------------------
Your files are to be submitted only to the Network HQ site. All files must be 
submitted either via floppy disk, or electronically according to the 
instructions contained in the file BLNKETxx.TXT. 

Floppy disk formats of 360k, 720k, 1.2M, and 1.44M will be accepted (720k 
preferred). Your floppy disk should include the archived distribution file(s) 
in the format that they are to be distributed in. You may include more than 
one program/file on a disk if space permits. All files should be placed in the 
root directory of the floppy disk (i.e. NO subdirectories). 

Your submission must also include a check or money order for the processing 
fees according to the schedule above. Checks/Money Orders are to be made 
payable to "RMH Computer Services" and are to be in US funds. Credit Card 
payments (MasterCard or VISA only) are now accepted. To charge the processing 
fees to your credit card, simply fill out the Credit Card block at the end of 
the submission form (you *MUST* fill in the "TOTAL:" field, and you *MUST* 
include your signature).

The address of the Network HQ site is:

   Richard Holler       
   The RoadHouse BBS    
   P.O. Box 657         
   Beech Grove IN 46107-0657    

Should you need additional information regarding anything, please contact 
Richard Holler:

   (317) 782-9903 [voice]
   (317) 784-2147 [BBS] 
   FidoNet 1:231/290    
   RIME ->5056          
   CompuServe 73567,1547
   INTERNET: 73567.1547@compuserve.com

