Public (Software) Library

    The following is a description of the files that we normally add to
    disks in our library.  These files are on this disk for your review.

    #### - a disk number file is added to each disk.  This is essential for
    our copying and order-verification process.

    GO.BAT - gets users started, tells them how to read doc files and
    explains shareware.  We have received a lot of praise for this file
    from both users and authors, and it drastically reduces the amount of
    low-level support we must provide.  If a disk already has a GO.BAT file
    on it (which is seldom the case), we will rename it to GO2.BAT.

    COPYRITE - explains that some files on the disk are copyrighted by the
    program author and some by us.  This is not a problem for individuals
    making copies for friends, but people redistributing disks they got
    from us sometimes claim to be unaware that any of this material is
    copyrighted and that some authors do not allow distribution of their
    materials without their written permission.

    TRAILER.TXT - is text that we add to the end of documentation files.
    The reason for it is that while the shareware author benefits from
    having as many people as possible distribute the disk, the fact is that
    there are a lot of quick-buck artists who are happy to let us do all
    the acquisition, testing, reviewing and organizing of software, then
    they get the disks from us for a fraction of our cost in doing this
    work and, without adding any value or work of their own, resell the
    disks for an easy profit.

    We are not attempting to stop such redistribution, but we think it's
    fair that we get a little credit for the great amount of time and
    expense we have invested. So we take advantage of the fact that these
    groups don't look at the doc files, and therefore do not delete our
    "trailer", and therefore do a lot of free advertising for us. We hope
    others enjoy the poetic justice as much as we do.

    PROBLEM.DOC - discusses common problems users may experience and
    possible solutions.  It also contains a form for reporting problems to
    the PsL and the author.  We have found this to be a tremendous
    improvement over having people just write us a letter saying something
    like "I tried to run the program and it just wouldn't work."  If
    nothing else, knowing what kind of equipment and TSRs they use is a big
    help in trying to troubleshoot their problems.  We reports problems and
    solutions in our monthly newsletter. If we cannot solve a problem, we
    write the author and send a copy of the problem report.

    FREEDISK.DOC - offers users a free disk from the PsL to the user when
    he registers a program with the author.  For some smaller programs with
    registration fees of $5 to $10, this means that the user practically
    gets a free registration.  This also gives you some feedback about
    where your registrations are coming from and gives us feedback about
    how many programs from us are being registered.


    A few authors have stipulated that that no changes whatsoever be made
    to their disk or doc files. We are not able to distribute those few
    programs, just as we don't distribute those whose authors say no disk
    fees can be charged. (Here is a direct quote from a doc file of one of
    those "no disk fee" programs: "This is not free software. Not much
    worthwhile is free." For some reason, he cannot see that this applies
    to software libraries as well.)