(word processor parameters LM=8, RM=75, TM=2, BM=2) Taken from KeelyNet BBS (214) 324-3501 Sponsored by Vangard Sciences PO BOX 1031 Mesquite, TX 75150 April 4, 1991 SPUD.ASC -------------------------------------------------------------------- This article is from ComputerWorld - April 1, 1991 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Pay-up time for Shareware by Patrician Keefe Guilt over unregistered shareware use was the impetus behind SPUD March 17 was SPUD day, in case you didn't know, and we're not talking about the butter-laced carbs St. Patrick's Day partiers wash down with green beer. Early reports indicated that SPUD, or Shareware Pay-Up Day, was probably not as popular as was the wearing of the green. But it may pack some punch in the long run if the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP) decides to put some effort into publicizing it as an annual event. SPUD is the fruit of the fertile mind of shareware user Paul Pease, a high-technology writer and planner based in Palo Alto, Calif. The idea, he said, was to spur guilt-ridden, unregistered shareware users into writing some long overdue checks. Pease is not talking big bucks per individual user. Shareware ranges from $10 to $200 for a full-fledged package. Some purveyors don't even charge. "There's one guy who has 'smileware.' Payment consists of smiling at someone. Another guy has 'beerware.' He only asks that you have a beer and send him a postcard saying so." Pease chuckled. Money adds up If enough satisfied users register after trying out their software for 30 days, it can add up to significant income for individual shareware authors. ASP President Paul Mayer, who also heads up Zpay Payroll Systems, Inc. in St. Petersburg, Florida, said he has made enough money from shareware to quit his onetime "day job," buy a spacious house in Florida and, on some days, sit poolside answering support questions. Data Storm Technologies, Inc., with its ProComm product, and ButtonWare, Inc., each had more than $3.5 million in revenue last year. Mayer added. Successes like these come despite the fact that ASP members estimated that a paltry 1% to 10% of users of their packages ever bother to register. Users of business programs are the most likely to pay. Page 1 Until now, the ASP never thought to designate a SPUD of its own. In fact, the group has specific rules against what Mayer calls "nagware." One such example of nagware is having a screen pop up every five minutes demanding payment. "Mostly what we worry about are those who do register. We want to give them the best service possible," he said. Because most shareware providers do not advertise, except through bulletin boards and the occasional shareware catalog, Mayer figures that a better product means more registrations. He will even service nonregistered users who call in with questions, reasoning that they will either register on the spot or tell their friends, some of whom might ante up. "There's no pressure. We just hope people will respect our quality and effort and provide some reimbursement," Mayer explained. However, SPUD has Mayer thinking. "It was a great idea; it just needs more publicity," he said, adding that the ASP is thinking about making it an annual event. -------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have comments or other information relating to such topics as this paper covers, please upload to KeelyNet or send to the Vangard Sciences address as listed on the first page. Thank you for your consideration, interest and support. Jerry W. Decker.........Ron Barker...........Chuck Henderson Vangard Sciences/KeelyNet -------------------------------------------------------------------- If we can be of service, you may contact Jerry at (214) 324-8741 or Ron at (214) 242-9346 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 2