The ASP Shareware Guide contains the collected wisdom of the ASP in its many years of helping shareware developers produce and market their software. Why reinvent the wheel, or make costly and time-consuming mistakes, when the answers to many of your shareware questions are available on-line, 24 hours a day?

ASP members post thousands of messages per month in our private newsgroups, exploring technical issues as well as marketing concerns. You can initiate, participate in, or just read open, spam-free discussions about critical shareware issues with the industry's top professionals.

• Find out which marketing approaches result in sales.
• Find out which electronic stores deliver what they promise.
• Find out which developers' tools make programming quicker and easier.

The ASP currently sponsors two public non-distributed newsgroups available to members and the public. For access to the public newsgroups please read the contact information.

The ASP has dozens of member-to-member discounts, plus discounts and arrangements negotiated with non-member providers. ASP members get software at greatly reduced prices (some free), as well as special prices on web hosting services, credit card processing services, and a variety of other support functions. Here's a sample of the discounts available to ASP members.

Group Insurance Benefits

Our program is underwritten by nationally recognized insurance carriers. This flexible, cost efficient, and employee friendly package provides a variety of options so that you can design programs best suited to your needs, your family needs, and your employee needs.

Comprehensive medical options include HMO, Point of Service (POS), PPO and Alternative Funding (Health Savings Account (HSA)) plans to choose from and features medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short and long-term and disability plans

No solution is a "one size fits all." Association Benefit Solutions specialists will focus on your specific requirements. They will help you design and implement an insurance benefits program tailored to your situation.

Microsoft BizSpark Program

Ignite your startup by enrolling in Microsoft® BizSpark™, a new global program designed to accelerate the success of early stage Startups. BizSpark provides fast, easy access to current full-featured Microsoft development tools and production licenses of server products; professional technical support from Microsoft; and connections to a global community of business experts who can help guide you through the hurdles of growing your business. Microsoft BizSpark's requirements are minimal, and there are no upfront costs to enrollment. So get fired up and visit the Microsoft Startup Zone to learn more!

The ASP's Newsletter--ASPects

ASPects, the ASP's monthly newsletter, is packed with association news, industry trends, and fresh marketing ideas. Check out some sample ASPects headlines.

The ASP has been one of the "movers and shakers" in the shareware industry since its founding. In the past, the organization has fought legal battles to keep the word "shareware" in the public domain for use by everyone. The ASP even testified before Congress on a copyright bill, and positive changes were made to the bill as a result. Presently, the ASP is deeply involved in the PAD standard, which uses state-of-the-art XML technology to make shareware submissions easier for both authors and distributors alike. The future will undoubtedly bring more industry-related items to the table. If you have the motivation, you can work with like-minded people to help design, build, and implement whatever comes along in the future, and in the process, leave your mark on history.