Added 11.9.93.
The address of 8BS is now:
C.J.Richardson.
17 Lambert Park Road
Hedon
Hull
East Yorkshire
HU12 8HF
Please send an SAE for more info.
WHAT IS 8-BIT SOFTWARE?
=======================
8-Bit Software was originally set up as 8-Bit PD, which distributed PD
software without charging. For approximately the last two years, this PD
library format was exchanged for a different format, whereby anyone could
become a member of 8-Bit Software, and all members received an "issue" of
8-Bit Software roughly every month.
Each issue consists of one DFS 80T DS disk, since this is the most common
Acorn disk format. To make distribution easier, each member supplies their
own disk and return postage and packing to the 8-Bit Software
"controller", who is responsible for compiling and distributing each issue
disk. From issue 1 to issue 19 the controller has been Duncan Webster, but
unfortunately (for 8-bit Software) he has now been promoted at work, so
that he no longer has available the vast amount of time required to
organise the user group.
One side of each issue disk is used to contain PD software, either written
by members themselves or from other PD libraries. The other side of the
disk contains a disk magazine, edited by the 8BS controller. This includes
the documentation for the PD software, articles written by members
covering a wide range of topics, messages and adverts inserted by members
who are seeking information, advice or buyers/sellers of goods, and
suggestions by members on how the PD software submitted to recent issues
could be improved.
After several of these issues had been produced, it was realised that the
amount of software being submitted was such that an additional pool of
software would need to be set up for those submissions which were so big
as to take up a whole issue. This led to the creation of the "TBI pool",
which contained a small selection of DFS disks which could be obtained in
addition to the monthly issues. Once again members had to supply their own
formatted disks and return postage and packing to obtain the software.
The user group allowed members to get in contact with each other without
even exchanging addresses/phone numbers, since the system of User IDs
allowed messages to be sent through 8-Bit Software to any individual
member. Members could even remain anonymous entirely, by choosing to sign
messages only with their user IDs! Of course, members could publish their
phone numbers/addresses in the disk magazine if they specifically wished
to.
8-Bit Software was a success in that it attracted quite substantial
numbers of people who were prepared to write software or articles, or
contribute to each issue by sending in comments and questions. However,
from issue 15 onwards, the large membership began to be reduced steadily,
since many members breached the terms of their membership by either not
providing the required disk and return P&P, or by refusing to submit
anything to the user group.
By issues 16-19, although the membership was as low as fifty, these fifty
members were all prepared to contribute something, and as a result the
standard of each issue was very high indeed, with a wide range of both
information, articles and software. Many people considered that 8-bit
Software was the best Acorn-orientated PD organisation.
8-Bit Software is a concept which has been very successful in the past,
providing a focus and a means of exchanging information and PD software
easily for all 8-bit Acorn enthusiasts. At the same time, it is a pity
that so many people are unable or unwilling to enjoy the benefits of the
user group - far more people have been removed from the list of members of
8-bit software than are currently on it - because they are not prepared to
comply with the simple procedures for obtaining an issue, and to
contribute something, however little, themselves. I would hope that in the
future, far more members will be able to follow the basic requirements of
membership, so that more people will be able to benefit from the
facilities that 8-bit Software provides.
Daniel G. Shimmin, July 1992