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          ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION BBS SYSTEMS


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INTRODUCTION:

APEBS is an organization devoted to high quality professional 
educational BBS Systems and is designed to serve as a reference,
source and BENCHMARK by which quality BBS systems can be found
and judged by. The only requirement to be a member of APEBS is 
that the system requesting membership fullfill the member
requirements (listed in the enclosed file). There is NO FEE for
joining APEBS or being a member, also a BBS that is a member of
APEBS can carry the APEBS logo as well as be posted in the
APEBS Member list for interested users reference and possible
selection of the BBS of the Quarter by APEBS in their news
periodic news releases.

WHY APEBS:

Negative connections have been continually connected with running
a BBS system by the press and general public. Many people would
rather we just shut them all down and eliminate the availability
of shareware file and transmittal of good information. Also the
PRESS actively engages in anti BBS press only to be reinforced by
a few bad systems.  Now they claim that most BBS are just game
systems and carry illegal software files, adult files or engage
in other illegal type activities. The press has not been kind to us.

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APEBS want's to CHANGE THIS MISCONCEPTION!!!!!
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TRADEMARK and AUTHENTICITY:

BBS systems that use the APEDS trademark and state that they are a 
member of this organization have fullfilled the requirements
of this organization as posted in require.txt and have been verified
by APEBS. Their names are entered into a monthly electronically
distributed list and newletter.

NEWLETTERS:

The APEBS publishes an member list via electronic media on a monthly
basis. Also, periodically systems are highlighted in this file as well.


FUTURE ACTIVIES:

In the future, the goal is to have a quarterly newsletter published
via mail and hopefully some advances in promoting quality education
BBS systems in terms of a meetings and better promotion of professional
BBS Systems and their contents. Lofty goals, but worth serious
consideration and development. Lets get the CORRECT information to the
press.

HOW DO I JOIN APEBS ?

Quite simple. You fill out the membership form and electronically
upload it to one of the BBS Systems listed on the APEBS membership
form or mail the form in. You will then be called on by an APEBS
representative which will validate your system (via BBS Login) as
being in compliance or non-compliance with the APEBS requirements.
You will then be notified online (via message) of your acceptance
or deficiencies (if any exist).

HEY, IT'S MY BBS!!!!

We realize the work that BBS operators put into there systems. Our
goal is simply to organize and group all like BBS's with a common
goal, to override bad press and offer a true quality BBS union! We 
have requirements to make sure that a user calling a system get a
system that fits a certain criterion, not to tell you how to set up
and run your system. But we must have some definition of standard or
the APEBS is meaningless.


THANKS

Thanks for downloading and reading this file (if you are a user or
a sysop) and we hope that if you are a sysop, and your system fullfills
the requirements that you will become a member of APEBS. And at the
very least it's inexpensive advertisement for qualified systems and
promotes a good cause. "A little respect" in the BBS world.
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NO FEES: APEBS exists solely for the promotion of professional 
education BBS systems.  
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