Tips & Hints for
Shareware/Freeware Authors
Written by Matthias Kahlert, mkahlert@kagi.com
http://www.GeoCities.com/SiliconValley/Pines/8031/index.htm
General Information: Shipping Checklist
Okay, your new application or your update is finished. But what to do now? Here is a short checklist you should go over. But this list is not complete at all. It may vary from application to application, from operating system to operating sytem, from user to user. This checklist just describes the basic hull of your checklist...
Here are some steps you should do before you release the first version of your shareware or freeware application.
- If you developed a Macintosh application you should register your creator code at Apple. Just surf to http://devworld.apple.com/dev/cftype/main.html.
- Does your application also run on other machines? You should better check that.
- Have you registered your application at your payment service provider?
- Set up a nice homepage about your new application. Look around for some good FTP sites that can mirror your file and upload it there.
After you did this, you should also check the points listed below.
Here are the steps you should run through at every update of your application.
- Read through your documentation. Did you change the version number everywhere? Have you updated the version history? And have you described all new features?
- Check the version numbers inside your program. Have you updated the about box? Have you changed the version resources?
- Have you removed the debug information? If not, recompile it.
- If the application itself is finished, you can start to create your installer or setup application. Don't forget to include all neccessary files! (System Extensions, DLLs, Libraries, etc.)
- Now compress the files into a single archive and/or create your distribution diskettes (if you also want to ship the files via snail mail).
- Upload the file to your primary FTP site and update your homepage or web server.
- Now upload the file to any other server like Info-Mac, SimTel, Windows95.com, WinSite, etc.
- If you send the file via e-mail, check if you really attached it! And don't forget to compress (and binhex) it.
- Now write a newsletter about that new software release and send it to all your registered users and those, that might be interested.
- After the users you should inform the magazines and shareware archives: Send a press release letter to all your press contacts.
- At least you can post some notices to the appropriate news groups and mailboxes.
Did I miss any important step? Please let me know. Just send an e-mail to mkahlert@kagi.com.
Modified on 6. June 1997
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