The ASP is primarily an educational association and we recognize that many
people want to become shareware authors and that the ASP has many tools
available that will help them create better software and do better initial
marketing.

The Probationary Author Member program is designed to make the ASP's tools
available to authors while they develop their shareware. It is strongly
suggested that access to CompuServe is important - it is there that
discussions and advice are readily available.

Here's the rules in detail with commentary:

- All applicants and Associate Members must be, and continue to be, people
  dedicated to the advancement of the shareware principle and the
  supportive of the aims and goals of the ASP.

- All Associate Members will receive a subscription to the ASPects
  monthly newsletter and have access to the members only Sections and
  Libraries 10, 11, and 12 of the ASPFORUM on CompuServe. They will also
  receive the back issues of ASPects on disk.

  10 is for Member-to-Member communication of business and programming
  questions, offers, and general discussion.

  11 is for Policy and ASP Political topics. The ASP is an evolving
  organization and there is always lively discussion here.

  12 is for Official Business. ASP Membership meetings are conducted here.
  Election of officers and all rules are debated here before voting. As
  Associate members, you are invited to take part in these talks.

- Use of the ASP's beta test facilities will be allowed.

  The ASP allows encrypted archive files to be posted on the CompuServe
  ASPFORUM for beta test distribution. Many members solicit beta testers
  from within the ranks of the ASP.

- Where practical, Probationary Author Members will be assigned to "Big
  Brothers/Sisters" for voluntary aid, assistance, and advice. This is
  normally accomplished via CompuServe communications.

- All Associate Member applications will be reviewed by a committee that
  will judge whether the minimum requirements are met. If there is a
  negative disposition, the Board of Directors will automatically review
  the committee's actions.

- Probationary membership is valid for ONLY 6 months. Before the end of
  that time, the member is expected to submit one or more shareware
  programs to the Author Membership Committee (AMC) to be admitted as a
  full Author Member.



- The dues for Probationary Members are the same as for Author Members
  (currently $50 the first year and $75 each year thereafter).
  Probationary Member $50 dues transfer to the full Author Membership
  upon acceptance by the AMC and the start date of membership becomes
  the start of the Probationary membership.

- In case of a rejection for Associate Membership, the submitted dues will
  be returned minus a $15 processing fee. Note that no refund will be made
  if the Associate Member is eventually rejected or fail to apply for full
  Author Membership.

- Should the Probationary Member not submit a shareware program to the
  AMC within 6 months the Probationary membership will terminate. Upon
  completion of a shareware program, application may be made to the ASP
  for Author Membership without prejudice - as if the person was never
  a Probationary Member. The Probationary Member dues will not transfer in
  this instance.

- At the minimum, the applicant must be actively working on one or more
  programs to be released as shareware.

- The Membership Committee will receive previous works, documentation,
  or other materials helpful to the process of admission consideration.
  These materials are voluntary rather than mandatory.

- Probationary Members will NOT be able to use the ASP logo or trademark
  to describe themselves as ASP Members.

- Probationary Members will NOT be able to use the ASP Group Mailing
  facility until full Author Membership status is acheived.

- Associate Members are Non-Voting members of the ASP.

- Much of the value of a Probationary Membership in the ASP will be
  derived from access to the ASP's CompuServe forum. It is here that
  advice, tips, utilities, and discussion are available. If you don't have
  or don't plan to get a CompuServe account, the ASP recommends that you
  not invest the $50 in a Probationary Membership as you will severely
  limit the value to be received. You can call CompuServe at 800-848-8990
  (614-457-8650) to find out about the CompuServe rates and signup
  procedures.



           ASP Probationary (Associate) Member Application Form

Name    _____________________________________________________

Address _____________________________________________________

        _____________________________________________________

City    ____________________________ ST ______ ZIP __________

Voice Phone   __________________________

Email Address __________________________ (CIS if possible)

I apply for Associate Membership in the Association of Shareware
Professionals as a Probationary Member. I am actively working on one or
more programs that will be released as shareware.

 _
|_| Enclosed is a check for $50 dues
 _
|_| Bill my Visa/MasterCard # _______ _______ _______ _______ Exp ___/___
 _
|_| Also enclosed are sample(s) of my work.


Signed __________________________________



Send to:        Association of Shareware Professionals
                545 Grover Rd
                Muskegon MI 49442-9427

     or FAX to: 616-788-2765