FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
   
            VENDINFO Standard Gains Widespread Industry Support
   
    Parker, Colorado -- June 16, 1993 -- Rams' Island Software is pleased
    to announce that the VENDINFO Software Distribution Information System
    has gained widespread support throughout the shareware and BBS
    industries.
   
    VENDINFO is a system to convey software product information and
    distribution permissions from the author to distributors.  A standard
    file (based on a public format) will carry extensive information in a
    compressed, efficient form.  The associated toolset will aid the
    author in constructing the record, and will allow the distributor to
    extract portions of the record, or to make distribution decisions
    based on its content, in a highly automated way.  VENDINFO will allow
    automation of many operations now performed manually by BBS Sysops,
    disk vendors, etc.  It will also increase use of author-provided
    product descriptions, and will improve compliance with product
    distribution policies.  A centralized product registry will allow
    distributors to search for products satisfying their needs, and to
    obtain contact information for the products thus located.
   
    Manufacturers of the following BBS software and BBS file-upload
    processors have "committed in principle" to support the VENDINFO
    standard:
               Wildcat! BBS, Mustang Software
               Searchlight BBS, Searchlight Software
               TBBS BBS, eSoft Inc.
               Auntie BBS, Wes Meier
               PowerBBS for Windows, Russell Frey
               Sapphire BBS, Pinnacle Software
               Tinyhost BBS, Bruce Krobusek
               WME BBS, Jason Fesler
   
               TransScan Upload Processor, Craig Dunstan
               CheckZip Upload Processor, Bill Hull
               DIZIT Upload Processor, Corsoft
   
    "Support of VENDINFO" means that these vendors agree to utilize the
    VENDINFO record for product descriptive information.  "Commitment in
    principle" means that this agreement is subject to satisfactory
    delivery of the public file standard and the associated (non-public)
    software library by Rams' Island Software.
   
    A concept paper about VENDINFO was released for public comment on
    May 8, 1993, with comments due by June 30.  Here are some of the
    comments already received:
   
       "I think that VENDINFO is brilliant! I'd be quick to support the
       concept and the execution."
                                 -- Randy MacLean, author and rack vendor
   
       "You've got me on the edge of my chair.  The idea is fantastic!"                                  xxxx
                                                   -- Paul Mayers, author

       "The logical growth path for the usefulness of FILE_ID.DIZ.  Clark
       had a great idea for the industry -- Ramsey is taking it the next
       step."
                                 -- Bob Ostrander, author and disk vendor
   
       "The [VENDINFO] system fills all the needs of vendors, authors,
       and the end users.  I can't wait for the final results."
                                                -- Bill Shor, disk vendor
   
       "VENDINFO is a much needed addition to the Shareware industry.  It
       will save authors, BBS's, and vendors much frustration and
       valuable time.  Once implemented, members of the Shareware
       community will wonder how they ever got along without it.
                            -- Jim Green, mail-order and rack distributor
   
       "BBS sysops are always in search of tools to make their library
       tasks and routines easier and more automated.  VENDINFO will be a
       tremendous tool for the BBS sysop.  Personally, I can't wait to
       start using it!"
                                             -- Richard Holler, BBS sysop
   
    A prototype version of the VENDINFO toolset is being demonstrated at
    the Summer Shareware Seminar, held June 18-20 in Indianapolis.  The
    formal file standard is scheduled for release in July.
   
    Contact: H. Rudy Ramsey
    Rams' Island Software
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