Subject: BSDisc Ordering Information and status update From: jcargill@cs.wisc.edu (Jon Cargille) Date: Fri, 29 Oct 93 11:10:42 -0500 Thanks for your request for ordering information on the BSDisc. I apologize that this mailing took a few more days than I initially thought it would. Our current status is as follows: We've been waiting about a week for the 1.0-FINAL release of FreeBSD in order to master the disc. It should be released any day now. But the delay waiting for 1.0 will pay off in another significant way. We'll be able to include XFree86 2.0, instead of 1.3u1. 2.0 includes support for accelerated chipsets, and is said to be "at least as stable" as 1.3u1. 2.0 will be available October 31st. So here's what we're planning to include on the disc at this point: FreeBSD-1.0-FINAL (packed distributions and full unpacked tree) NetBSD-0.9 (packed distributions and full unpacked tree) NetBSD-current (packed images only; snapshot will be taken right before disc mastering; this makes it far easier to get "in sync", so you can start using SUP for updates) XFree86 2.0 (packed images of binary distribution at least, unpacked as well if space permits) USENET BSD news (BSD news archive from Minnie, converted slightly for easier access and searching.) 386bsd source (/usr/src tree from 0.1, unpacked for reference, comparison, and archival purposes) Other Freeware: All the "packages" files from the FreeBSD archives, including: bash, elm, emacs, f2c, GNU fileutils, gcc1, ghostscript, gopher, info-zip, jed, jpeg tools, kermit, ksh, mtools, octave, pbmplus, perl, pkg_tools, GNU shellutils, sml93, sup, tcl, tk, GNU textutils, xlock, xv, xview, and zsh. (These will be in packed "package" format only; however, installation from that format is very simple.) Also, all "othersrc" from NetBSD-current is included, including: bootpd, gated, kermit, mh-6.8, sup, tcpdump, tcsh-6.03, ttcp, and xntp Phew! That's a bunch, huh? If you have any last-minute special requests for things to be included, or feedback on what's listed above, please contact me in the next few days. Thanks again for your interest in the BSDisc! Jon Cargille DiscNet, Inc. Ordering information will follow: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- BSDisc Ordering Information The BSDisc, Volume 1, Number 1 A DiscNet production The goal of the BSDisc is to provide high-quality, affordable, convenient CD-ROM distributions of BSD-derived software and other freeware. We are able to provide extremely good prices through a subscriber-based arrangement. If you'd like to: - simplify the downloading & installation process for FreeBSD, NetBSD, or XFree86, - keep the latest version of *BSD on-line and fully mounted, - save up to 600M of hard disk space, - keep a number of useful reference source trees on-line, - have a "virgin" source tree unpacked for easy comparison, and "diff"ing, - have easy access to the BSD-related USENET news archives, then this is the disc for you. Subscription plan: Under the subscription plan, you authorize us in advance to ship you each new issue of the BSDisc as it becomes available. You may cancel at any time, and receive a full refund of unmailed orders. You may also return any issue you are not satisfied with (see guarantee below). We do require that you subscribe for at least two issues up front, though; a single issue "subscription" wouldn't really be much of a subscription, now, would it? ;-) ;-) If there is ever a change in pricing or terms, we will notify you so that you have plenty of time to decide whether you wish to continue subscribing. At the moment, the only change we anticipate is lower prices when subscriber volume makes it possible. We expect to ship 3 issues per year on average. Depending on how often major new software releases happen on the Net, this could end up being as often as quarterly. As we accumulate a subscriber base, we will begin to consider special requests for subscriptions which don't include every issue. In fact, we hope to eventually accept requests to subscribe only to issues on which your "favorite flavor" (FreeBSD/NetBSD) is updated. That would keep you from getting a new disc on which NetBSD didn't change, if you're primarily a NetBSD user. Pricing: *** Please note: our best price is only available to subscribers! *** Price for subscribers: $19.50 US (plus S & H, and applicable taxes) Price For non-subscribers: $35.00 US (plus S & H, and applicable taxes) Please contact us for unusual cases, quantity discounts, etc. Please also note: Wisconsin orders must include 5.5% to defer sales tax. Add $3.50 per order for Domestic (USA) Shipping and Handling. Add $8 per unit (limited to $20 per order) for Foreign S & H. (We plan to ship international orders via standard Air Mail, since that's the only reasonably priced method we could find. However, if you wish faster service, we can ship by your choice of methods, and just charge you the actual shipping costs + $3 Handling. Federal Express and UPS seem to run between $20 and $50 (ouch!) for second day overseas delivery, depending on area.) Terms: We accept postal money orders in US funds, and checks in US funds, payable through a US bank. [ Note: We have an application pending for Visa/Mastercard merchant status. We hope to provide this method of payment soon, since it will be far more convenient, especially for international customers. For the moment, however, we ask that you become a "cash" subscriber, and change to VISA/MC when it becomes possible. If this is a problem for you, don't let it keep you from subscribing; contact us for special arrangements. ] Satisfaction guarantee: If you receive an issue of the BSDisc which you are not satisfied with, simply return it to us in good condition for a prompt refund. We will promptly credit you the purchase price. Inquiries and orders may be sent to: DiscNet, Inc. 2211 Carling Dr., #201 Madison, WI 53711 USA Tel: +1 608-277-1842 If our VISA/MC status is approved, we plan to accept orders by email as well. Stay tuned for this. --snip----snip----snip----snip----snip----snip----snip----snip----snip-- DiscNet Order Form Subscription Agreement: As a subscriber, you authorize shipment of up to 4 issues of the BSDisc per year. We will ship each issue as soon as it is ready, and deduct our current subscriber price, plus applicable tax and S & H charges from your pre-paid balance. All subscription issues received come with our satisfaction guarantee. [ When we are able to accept VISA/MC, we will simply ship each issue and bill your card directly, if you choose this payment option. ] Cash customers must pre-pay subscription rates for at least two issues in advance. In fact, three or four issues of pre-payment would be preferred. Either you or DiscNet may cancel this agreement at any time. DiscNet may cancel the agreement without notice, although we will certainly return any remaining account balance to you if we do. You must notify us if you wish to cancel, so that we can remove you from our subscription list. To subscribe, check the appropriate box below. Please check one: I [ ] do wish to subscribe to the BSDisc. [ ] do not Subscribers: Non-subscribers: ----------- --------------- Purchase price: $19.50 Purchase price: $35.00 Shipping & Handing: + ________ Shipping & Handling: + ________ Subtotal: = ________ Subtotal: = ________ Sales tax: + ________ Sales tax: + ________ (WI orders only) (WI orders only) Total: = ________ Total: = ________ Subscription Length: X ________ (Minimum of 2 issues) Grand Total: = ________ Purchaser ___________________________________________________________ Organization ___________________________________________________________ Street Address ___________________________________________________________ (No PO Boxes!) City,State,Zip ___________________________________________________________ Country ___________________________ Contact information: Please return form to: Phone: __________________________________ DiscNet, Inc. 2211 Carling Dr. #201 Email: __________________________________ Madison, WI 53711 --snip----snip----snip----snip----snip----snip----snip----snip----snip-- A couple of miscellaneous things: 1) Ideas/suggestion? Do you have any suggestions for improving the BSDisc? If so, let us know! We welcome feedback and new ideas. In fact, if we end up using your idea, we'll extend your subscription, giving you a free issue. 2) Resellers If you're interested in reselling the BSDisc, contact us for volume discount information. We're especially interested in resellers in Europe. Thanks for your interest, Jon Cargille jcargill@cs.wisc.edu DiscNet, Inc.