\input datasht.sty

\section{Software Policy}

This is the new (6 July 1989) software policy for the \fido\
package. Please read it carefully.

First:

Hobbyists run BBSs for their own personal reasons. Their BBS is 
not associated with their employer or any business. How they run 
their BBS is none of my business, ie. private, public, 
subscription or chattel slavery.

Commercial users are companies, corporations, proprietorships or 
any other business entities that run a BBS, either publicly or
privately, associated with their business. ``Non-profit'' and
``not for profit'' organizations are included in this category.

And here's the deal:

{\bf Hobbyists and Individuals:} \fido\ is shareware; the latest 
version of the software, minus documentation, can always be found 
on the Fido Software BBS. There is no downloadable documentation. 
(If you thought the version 11 docs were unwieldy\dots) You must 
register the software for \$50; in return you will receive the 
latest version on diskette plus printed and bound documentation. 
If you later desire updates via diskette instead of download, 
updates cost \$25 plus the original Fido Software diskette.

{\bf Commercial Users:} \fido\ is a usual licensable product; the
license fee is \$175, as it has been for two years. You will 
receive the latest software version, complete documentation, and 
support via the Fido Software BBS and voice telephone. (This has 
proved to be more than adequate for over two years.) Updates can 
be obtained by downloading, or via diskette for \$25 plus the 
original Fido Software diskette or proof of purchase.

{\bf BBS System Operators:} Besides being a {\bf Hobbyist} as
defined above, you may have the software available for download,
as you would  any other program. Please keep READ.MEs and POLICY
files, along with the basic files as supplied by Fido Software,
together as a unit to avoid confusion frustration for all of us.

{\bf Shareware Distributors,} clubs, etc: Please order the
complete package as a {\bf Commercial User}; for small hobbyist
clubs, as a {\bf Hobbyist} or {\bf Individual}. This will assure
you the latest correct and complete version, and the manual will
help your club members get things going easily. Such a deal.
Look, I'm not getting rich off this (or even breaking even!) so
let's scratch each others backs, OK?

Special arrangements can always be made on a case by case basis. 
In all cases, bugs are fixed promptly, as they have been for five 
years. This is basically the policy that was in force through 
1987. It worked pretty well, there were very few problems, and 
most of those were caused by my ambiguity.

\bye
