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                             Public Domain Software
 
         A large  number  of  very good (and some less than very good)
         programs have been written  by  authors who have then donated
         these programs to the public at large.
 
         Public domain programs are available FREE  to  anyone.   They
         can be  obtained  from  many sources, including users groups,
         microcomputer bulletin    boards,   and   friends   who   own
         microcomputers.
 
         You may  copy,  use, modify, and give away copies  of  public
         domain software.
 
         Although not  all  public  domain  software is of the highest
         quality, you will find that the price is truly unbeatable.
 
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                            User-Supported Software
 
         User-supported software is  an  experiment that some software
         developers have implemented for the distribution  of computer
         programs that  they  have  written.  It is generally based on
         three principles:
 
         First, that  the  value  and  utility  of  software  is  best
         assessed by the user on his/her own system.  Only after using
         a program can one really determine whether it serves personal
         applications, needs, and tastes.
 
         Second, that  the  creation of independent personal  computer
         software can   and  should  be  supported  by  the  computing
         community.
 
         Finally, that copying of  user  supported  programs should be
         encouraged, rather  than  restricted.  The  ease  with  which
         software can  be  distributed  outside traditional commercial
         channels reflects the strength,  rather than the weakness, of
         electronic information.
 
 
         The user-supported concept generally works in this way:
 
         The program is usually available free of charge,  but carries
         a notice suggesting a contribution for the program.  Making a
         contribution is voluntary on the part of the user.
 
         The program  may  also be ordered by mail from the author for
         an advance contribution.
 
         Regardless of whether a contribution  is  made,  the  user is
         encouraged to copy the program for trial use  by  others on a
         private, non-commercial    basis.    Payment   for   use   is
         discretionary on the part of each subsequent user.
 
         By sending a "donation",  a  user  generally  gets additional
         support in the way of printed manuals, upgrades, new versions
         as they are developed, etc.
 
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         Both "User Supported Software" and "Public  Domain  Software"
         are separate and distinct from the third category of software
         with which  you  are certainly familiar--commercial, FOR SALE
         software, such as LOTUS 1-2-3,  dBASE  III, Flight Simulator,
         etc.  As you are well aware, severe restrictions  are  placed
         on the distribution, even use, of this type of software.
 
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                                 Users Groups
 
         Although the  term  "Users  Group" might sound like something
         unique, microcomputer users  groups  are simply organizations
         comprised of individuals who have banded together  because of
         a common  interest  in  microcomputers.   There are literally
         thousands of these groups  throughout  the  country, and even
         the world.
 
         Because microcomputers are also a communications medium (with
         an assist from telephone lines), membership  in  these groups
         is not restricted by geographical boundaries.
 
         Users groups   range  in  scope,  structure,  and  size  from
         something as informal as a  group  of people meeting during a
         lunch hour,  to  organizations  such as the  Boston  Computer
         Society, which  maintains  a full-time staff (supplemented by
         many, many  volunteers)   and  has  a  membership  roster  of
         individuals from all over the world.
 
         Some users groups support and open membership  to very narrow
         niches, like those who use a single type of microcomputer, or
         a single  type of operating system, or even a single program;
         while others, and again the Boston Computer Society is a good
         example, support  literally   any   kind   of   microcomputer
         interest; and  even  have  "Special Interest  Groups"  (SIG),
         within the  users  groups  for  those who have an interest in
         only one, narrow area or application.
 
         Users groups are a great  source  of  information,  software,
         rumors and  ideas.  In fact, it would be  safe  to  say  that
         anyone who  hopes  to  become  proficient  in  the  use  of a
         microcomputer, should consider  joining  one,  or more, users
         groups.
 
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         The addresses of two of the most popular users groups are:
 
         Capital PC User Group         Capital PC User Group
         Membership                    Software Exchange
         P.O. Box 3189                 P.O. Box 6128
         Gaithersburg, MD 20878        Silver Spring, MD 20906
 
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         The Boston Computer Society   The Boston Computer Society
         Membership                    Software Exchange
         One Center Plaza              P.O. Box 195
         Boston, MA 02108              Wellesley, MA 02181
         617-367-8080