SSII FAQ, v1.3

[joko@crl.com (Joe Kohn)]

Shareware Solutions II Frequently Asked Questions (October, 1995):
==================================================================

What is Shareware Solutions II?

Shareware Solutions II is a bi-monthly Apple II oriented newsletter
that is written and published by two former inCider/A+ Contributing
Editors - Joe Kohn and Dr Cynthia Field. We will soon be joined by Steve
Disbrow, former publisher of GS+ Magazine.

What is the focus of Shareware Solutions II?

Shareware Solutions II is a general interest 20 page newsletter for
owners of Apple IIe/IIc and IIGS computers.

What types of articles appear in Shareware Solutions II?

Each issue contains at least six on-going columns:

Grapevine - Contains news items, new product announcements, hints and
tips, Easter Eggs and other items of general interest for the user of
Apple II computer systems.

Modem Madness - Contains information for those Apple II users who
have modems connected to their computers. This column focuses on
anything having to do with Apple II telecommunications. It has a very
strong focus on using the Internet, with special attention paid to
the World Wide Web.

Apple II Product News - Dr Cynthia Field tracks down, in each issue,
10-15 new Apple II software products, quite often informing readers
of software from companies that are not very well known.

Such A Deal - Shareware Solutions II arranges special money saving
offers for readers that are made by Apple II hardware manufacturers
and software publishers. Subscribers can often save more money from
one "Such A Deal" purchase than a Shareware Solutions II subscription
actually costs. Special deals are currently available on hardware
products such as Vitesse's Quickie scanner, Hard Disk Drives from
Charlie's AppleSeeds, and internal Hard Drives from Parsons
Engineering. Special money saving offers are currently available for
such software products as Twilight II, ProSel and the soon to be
released Golden Orchard CD-ROM disk. (The above products are merely a
sampling of special money saving deals available to subscribers.)

Shareware Solutions IIe/IIc and Shareware Solutions IIGS - These two
columns focus on new and classic freeware, shareware and public
domain software for the Apple II family of computers. In addition to
offering reviews, all software mentioned in these columns is also
available to subscribers, at low cost, via the mail. The disk
duplication fees range from $3-$5 per filled disk, and that fee
includes Air Mail postage anywhere in the world.

What else is in Shareware Solutions II?

Extensive feature-length articles have been published about
KansasFest, The Internet, Working With System 6's rIcons, A Buyer's
Guide to High Quality Printers, and A Visit With Steve Wozniak. Each
issue of Shareware Solutions II contains, in essence, an on-going
Apple II Resource Guide.

How is Shareware Solutions II produced?

All articles are written with AppleWorks Classic. Page Layout is done
with AppleWorks GS. The newsletters are printed on a Hewlett-Packard
LaserJet IIP Plus that is connected to an Apple IIGS. (Shareware
Solutions II looks so good that even Apple II programming superstar
Bill Heineman was fooled. Upon first seeing Shareware Solutions II,
he commented, "I didn't know you had a Macintosh.") Shareware
Solutions II not only supports the Apple II computer; it uses Apple
II computers exclusively!

How often does Shareware Solutions II appear?

The premier issue of Shareware Solutions II was published in July,
1993. A total of 10 issues have been published between then and
July, 1995. Although the newsletter is officially a bi-monthly
publication, the publisher would rather distribute a well written
publication with accurate information than to be held to an 8 week
production schedule.

Are there many subscribers?

Shareware Solutions II currently has nearly 1,200 subscribers who are
located in all 50 US States and in more than 20 foreign countries.

Where can I read a review of Shareware Solutions II?

Shareware Solutions II has often been mentioned and endorsed by such
publications as II Alive, GS+, BRCC's Scarlett, Softdisk GS,
GEnieLamp, The AppleWorks Forum and A2-Central-On Disk. In fact, Big
Red Computer Club has been so supportive of Shareware Solutions II
that they endorsed it by mailing out, at their expense, a special 12
page abridged edition of the 11/94 issue.

Tell me how I can get Shareware Solutions II?

You won't find Shareware Solutions II at your local magazine store
because it is available by subscription only. There are 3 subscription
options available:

1) A One Year, 6 Issue Subscription: This subscription starts with the
current issue of Shareware Solutions II. The cost is $25 for US or
Canadian delivery; $40 for delivery anywhere else in the world. Please
note that all issues are mailed by First Class Air Mail. (For current
subscribers, this is also the Renewal Rate!)

2) The First 12 Issues (2+ years worth of newsletters): Previously named
"The Complete Shareware Solutions II Collection," this subscription
begins with the Premiere July, 1993 issue and runs through Volume 2,
Issue 6 (due to appear in late-1995). Included in this collection are all
of the back issues published to date. This 12 issue subscription is
available for only $35 to subscribers in the US or Canada, and $50 for
International subscribers. Please note that all issues are mailed by
First Class Air Mail.

3) The First 18 Issues (3+ years worth of newsletters): This subscription
includes the first 18 issues of Shareware Solutions II (the first 3+
years!), includes all the back issues published to date, and will run
through Volume 3, Issue 6 (due to appear in late-1996 or early-1997).
This 18 issue subscription is available at the discounted rate of only
$55 to subscribers in the US or Canada, and $75 for International
subscribers. Please note that all issues are mailed by First Class Air
Mail.

How can I pay for a subscription?

By check or money order, only. Please make all checks or money orders
payable to Joe Kohn. US Funds Only. Sorry, but no charge cards,
purchase orders or COD orders will be accepted.

What if I don't like Shareware Solutions II?

Shareware Solutions II is offered with a money back guarantee; cancel
at any time, and get a refund for any unmailed issues.

Where should I send my check or money order?

Joe Kohn
Shareware Solutions II
166 Alpine Street
San Rafael, CA 94901-1008
USA

What else does Shareware Solutions II do?

Shareware Solutions II has steadily been branching out into the Apple II
world. In addition to the newsletter....

A) We publish Contacts GS, a name and address database program for the
IIGS that is contained within a NEw Desk Accessory.

B) We are now the exclusive distributor of Dr Cynthia Field's set of
AppleWorks GS templates - "The A+ Home Organizer."

C) We are the exclusive distributors of Script-Central, the HyperCard
IIGS based magazine on disk that had been produced by Resource Central
(and ICON) for 3.5 years.

D) We have just recently started offering for sale the entire IIe/IIc
inventory of commercial games that Big Red Computer Club used to sell.

E) We are planning to distribute Brutal Deluxe's very first commercial
software program...Convert 3200.

F) We have an enormous library of freeware, shareware and public domain
software that is available to subscribers at low cost via the mail.

G) More surprises are planned.

Where can I get more information?

Shareware Solutions II maintains an active presence on the Apple II
areas on CompuServe, GEnie and Usenet. On GEnie's A2 RoundTable,
Shareware Solutions II may be found in Category 28. On the Internet,
questions can be posted on comp.sys.apple2 and information may be
found by finger or e-mail to joko@crl.com or by pointing your
favorite Wide Wide Web browser to the Shareware Solutions II Home
Page: http://www.crl.com/~joko/ssii.html

What do current subscribers say about Shareware Solutions II?

"I wish to tell you that your Shareware Solutions II magazine is the
greatest. It is the most Apple II friendly, informative, instructive
and necessary publications available."
                                      --Donald Rhyman

"I have recently subscribed to your publication and received all the
back issues. I have been very pleased. At a time when we of the Apple
community have seen inCider/A+ stop publishing and have received the
last issue of the Scarlett Letter it was a pleasant surprise to
receive a publication that is so informative in so many different
areas. I also subscribe to II Alive but have not been nearly so
pleased as with Shareware Solutions II. Thank you."
                                       --Jim Willett

"I have found his first 4 issues to be very informative and written
in an understandable format. I'm almost into overload with the
information he offers. I encourage any of you to give Shareware
Solutions II a try, as it is really encouraging to see our favorite
computer supported by a knowledgeable person with good information
and programs."
                                      --Denver Apple Pi Review, 3/94

I consider the subscription fee to Shareware Solutions II to be the
best money ever spent on a subscription.
                                       -- Pete Hann

How come you haven't yet subscribed to Shareware Solutions II?

That's a question that Shareware Solutions II can't answer.

========================================================================

FAQ Prepared by Joe Kohn. This file is freely copyable by anyone.
Give it to everyone you know. Post it on any BBS. Upload it anywhere.
Re-print it in any Apple II User Group Newsletter. And, subscribe if
you don't already! You'll be happy you did.

E-mail addresses:

CompuServe: 76702,565
GEnie:      JOE.KOHN
Internet:   joko@crl.com

October 2, 1995