Ambrosia FAQ
AndrewWelc
[display this document using the typeface Monaco 9 for best results]
-PURPOSE------------------------------------------------------------------
FAQ is an acronym for Frequently Asked Questions. This FAQ is an
attempt to provide a comprehensive source of information about Ambrosia
Software, Inc., and was created in response to questions that are
frequently raised by our customers. We hope you find it useful.
If there are any questions you have about Ambrosia that are not
answered in this FAQ, please get in touch with us so we can include them
in future revisions.
-CREDITS------------------------------------------------------------------
Author: Andrew Welch
Contributors: "Cajun" David Richard, John Haley, Ed "DAMAGE" Ota,
Gayle Haarr
Thanks to: David Freitas
Copyright (C) 1995 by Ambrosia Software, Inc.
-FAQ HISTORY--------------------------------------------------------------
Version: 1.0.0
Created: 6/5/95
Last Revised: 6/6/95
-DISCLAIMER---------------------------------------------------------------
This document is provided as is, without any express or implied
warranties. While every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of
the information contained in this document, the author assumes no
responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the
use of the information contained herein.
-CONTENTS-----------------------------------------------------------------
This FAQ answers the following questions:
GENERAL
- Who is Ambrosia Software, Inc.?
- What kind of products does Ambrosia create?
- Does Ambrosia have a product catalog?
- How can I obtain Ambrosia's products?
- Does Ambrosia have products for any platforms other than the Mac?
REGISTRATION
- How do I pay for one of Ambrosia's products?
- My license code is invalid; what's wrong?
- Why should I register (pay for) an Ambrosia product?
- Does Ambrosia offer site licenses?
SUPPORT
- How can I get in touch with Ambrosia?
- What is "The Ambrosia Times?"
SHAREWARE
- What is shareware?
- Why are you distributing your products as shareware?
- Do you ever plan to "go commercial?"
- Do you actually make any money?
- Is Ambrosia a full-time job?
HISTORY
- When was Ambrosia founded?
- Who works at Ambrosia?
- What development environment do you use at Ambrosia?
-GENERAL------------------------------------------------------------------
[Q] - Who is Ambrosia Software, Inc.?
[A] - Ambrosia Software, Inc. is a small company dedicated to bringing you
quality software, excellent support, and innovative ideas all at a
reasonable cost. We give you commercial-quality software at a fraction of
the price, with the added convenience of being able to try out the
software before you pay for it.
Ambrosia distributes software on numerous electronic information
services, as well as via user groups, and approved public domain
distributors. Of course, you can always obtain our products directly from
us as well. You are given a 30 day free license to evaluate any of our
software; after the 30 days have passed, you are expected to send the
appropriate registration fee to us for processing.
.....
[Q] - What kind of products does Ambrosia create?
[A] - Ambrosia creates personal productivity tools that make using your
Macintosh a more enjoyable experience, as well as anti-productivity tools
(games) that are just plain fun.
Here are some very brief capsule descriptions of our current product
line:
APEIRON (v1.0.1) -- During a port through the looking glass, the mirror
shatters and your ethereal energy (you know, the stuff that allows you to
get up and go to work on a Monday morning...) is trapped within one of the
crystal shards. Immediately, the residents of the mushroom patch sense
your presence. Led by the Pentipede, this motley crew of mushroom patch
misfits relentlessly hunt the crystal (you!), intent upon sucking out the
trapped energy.
Inside Mac Games sums it up by saying "Apeiron's astounding graphics and
sound coupled with its captivating gameplay make it a joy to play and a
worthy successor to a classic such as Maelstrom."
Price: $15.00
Requires: 256 Color Screen, 13" or Greater
BIG CHEESE KEY (v1.2.1) -- In today's busy world, privacy is often a
scarce commodity. Chances are your monitor acts as a billboard,
advertising to whoever drops by exactly what you're doing. This can be
awkward in a number of situations. You don't want the boss seeing you play
Maelstrom, and he doesn't want you to see him writing your next
performance review. For moments such as these, you need the Big Cheese
Key.
Big Cheese Key preserves your privacy (and maybe your job) with one quick
keystroke. Hit your personalized Big Cheese Key and whatever is on your
screen freezes and hides behind a phony Mac screen. Poof! Gone like magic.
Price: $10.00
Requires: Any Macintosh
CHIRAL (v1.0.1) -- Chiral is a fusion between the scientific concept of
atomic bonding and the addictive game play of Tetris. Players are
challenged to form bonds between atoms to create inert molecules before
the atoms overflow from a vial. Points are scored by the complexity of the
molecular pattern and the speed with which it is assembled. Not to worry,
a doctorate in atomic chemistry is not needed.44 screens of mind-boggling
fun and excitement.
MacUser awarded this new definition of fun with their Shareware of the
Year Award for 1994. MacWeek says "With the release of Chiral, Ambrosia is
breaking its creative bonds...With repeated play comes an appreciation of
the subtle beauty and elegant sophistication of its design." Inside Mac
Games calls Chiral "a uniquely creative action-strategy game that is just
as much fun to watch as it is to play."
Price: $15.00
Requires: 256 Color Screen
COLORSWITCH (v2.3.0) -- Have you ever tried to adjust the color depth of
your monitor? Some programs require certain depths to run properly. Also,
your Mac's processing speed is accelerated by down shifting to a lower
color depth. Rooting around in your System folder for your Monitors
control panel quickly becomes tiresome, especially when you have to do it
often.
ColorSwitch reduces this to a simple three step procedure:
1.) Click on the ColorSwitch icon on your menu bar.
2.) Select the desired color depth.
3.) Sit back and smile at how simple life has become.
Volume control is an added bonus. You can instantly change the sound
volume from ColorSwitch's pull down menu.
Price: $10.00
Requires: Any Color-Capable Macintosh
EASY ENVELOPES PLUS (v2.6.0) -- Simple to use and inexpensive, Easy
Envelopes acts as an electronic address book and envelope printer. Easy
Envelopes stores thousands of names, addresses, and phone numbers, which
are all easily retrievable and printable on demand. Easy Envelopes
provides the same style and font options available on today's word
processors. These powerful editing options give your correspondence a
clear, crisp, professional yet personalized look.
With the built in word search function, Easy Envelopes Plus doubles as an
electronic phone book. In the notes field you're able to jot down phone
numbers, important dates, and other handy information. Now all of your
contact information is just a few keystrokes away.
Price: $15.00
Requires: Any Macintosh
ECLIPSE (v2.2.0) -- One of the fun things about owning a Macintosh is the
ability to personalize your computer. Your Mac really becomes your Mac.
Eclipse - Ambrosia's low memory, low cost screensaver - helps you
personalize your Mac while at the same time fulfilling an important
function.
What sets Eclipse apart from most commercial screen savers besides the
price? Memory, that all important commodity when it comes to today's
computers. Advances in software are requiring more and more memory to
store and execute programs. Most commercial screensavers display
animation: little fishies or flying kitchen appliances. Although cute in
nature, such programs are notorious memory hogs. Eclipse displays a
floating still graphic of your choice; whatever you can get into your
computer, Eclipse can display. It's as simple as copy and paste.
Price: $10.00
Requires: Any Macintosh
FLASHWRITE ][ (v1.1.0) -- FlashWrite ][ is Ambrosia Software's
supercharged notepad utility. Your Mac's Operating System includes a
notepad utility, but its capabilities are severely limited. FlashWrite
breaks free of these limitations, providing you with a powerful tool that
is simple to use.
Equipped with many of the options found in full-blown word processors,
FlashWrite's functionality better enables you to organize your thoughts.
With FlashWrite's built in word search function, you're always able to
find what you're looking for in a flash.
Price: $15.00
Requires: Any Macintosh
MAELSTROM (v1.4.1) -- This Macintosh classic is what put Ambrosia on the
map as the leading Macintosh shareware publisher. Maelstrom has received a
four star rating from Macworld, the MacUser 1993 Best Shareware Game
award, and the Shareware Industry Award for best game. Maelstrom also took
first place in the 1994 Mac Home Journal Reader's Choice Awards.
With detailed color animation, four channels of digital sound, and smooth
game play, Maelstrom takes full advantage of the Macintosh's multi-media
capabilities. All the game needs is someone with guts and a thirst for
glory in the pilot's seat.
Price: $15.00
Requires: Any Color-Capable Macintosh
ORACLE (v2.1.0) -- Need a little encouragement at the start of each day?
How about a helpful tidbit of useful wisdom when you first sit down with
your Mac? With Oracle, Ambrosia brings a valuable source of advice right
to your Macintosh. Oracle, a Control Panel that is placed into your System
Folder, presents you with a random thoughtful quotation each time you
start up your computer.
Oracle has a library of over one thousand individual profound readings -
almost three years worth of thoughtful insight. With Oracle you become a
Mac "guru" of a different sort.
Price: $10.00
Requires: Any Macintosh
SNAPZ (v1.0.0) -- Snapz is the big game hunter of screen capture programs:
it'll capture the wild ones for you. No image is too fast, too tricky, or
too large. Snapz captures them all: startup icons, pull down menus, games
in the thick of the action, animation, video... not even your screen saver
displays are safe. MacWeek says Snapz "...is the first screen-capture
utility that can grab on-screen activities, such as the march of start-up
icons and zooming rectangles." Macworld magazine calls Snapz the screen
capture utility that "...can ride to your rescue."
Snapz offers 16 different PICT file types to choose from, so the captured
image is ready to be edited in your program of choice. Utilizing the
functionality of System 7's Apple Menu Items folder, Snapz stores your
captured images in a special Screen Snapz folder that is easily accessible
from the Apple menu. This keeps the screen captures organized and easily
reached. No more searching through your hard drive for lost images.
Price: $15.00
Requires: Any Color-Capable Macintosh
SWOOP (v1.0.0) -- Developed by David Wareing, of Adelaide, Australia,
Swoop is an arcade classic combining pulse-quickening game play with state
of the art computer animation and audio effects. Smooth flowing action,
detailed full color graphics, and custom sound effects all provide for
exciting game play. The only thing missing is the cash box in which to
pump your coins.
Since the dawn of time, good people have always fought the iron glove of
oppression. Never before has the fight been so desperate; never before
have the stakes been so high. This time the fight is not over politics,
religion, or territory. For now, the very survival of the human race hangs
in the balance. The Swoopers have come.
Price: $15.00
Requires: 256 color screen, 13" or greater
TO DO! (v3.2.1) -- To Do! is Ambrosia's friendly little Personal
Information Manager (PIM). For many of us, the day is just too short to
accomplish all that needs doing. To Do! helps you organize tasks, enabling
you to milk the most out of your day. Some PIM's are clunky and difficult
to use, but not To Do!. Updating your chore list shouldn't be a chore in
itself.
Using a traditional outline format, To Do! organizes information in an
easily understandable manner. Enter as many different topics and subtopics
as you like. Both topics and subtopics can include extensive notes. To Do!
displays your list by topic or by priority.
Check boxes provide a visual way to keep track of your progress. A long
list seems less daunting if it shows what has already been accomplished.
On the go? To Do!'s printing capability lets you take your full list or
any part of it along with you.
Price: $15.00
Requires: Any Macintosh
.....
[Q] - Does Ambrosia have a product catalog?
[A] - Absolutely. If you'd like a full color brochure featuring each of
Ambrosia's products sent to you *free of charge*, simply drop us an eMail
or call us at 716.427.2577 and we'll get it right off to you. Make sure
you include your full name, address, and country when requesting a
brochure.
.....
[Q] - How can I obtain Ambrosia's products?
[A] - The latest versions of all our products are always available in the
Ambrosia Software forums on the following services:
o America Online: While you are signed on AOL, choose Keyword...
from the GO TO menu, type AMBROSIA and hit the return key.
o eWorld: While you are signed on eWorld, choose Go to Shortcut...
from the PLACES menu, type AMBROSIA and hit the return key.
o CompuServe: While you are signed on CompuServe, use GO word
AMBROSIA to reach the Mac Vender D area, where Ambrosia Software,
maintains a forum.
o Internet: Ambrosia Software's products can be found at the
"mac.archive.umich.edu" or "sumex-aim.stanford.edu" FTP sites.
Contact us for complete Internet paths to our products. A list
of mirrors are also available.
And last but not least, you can obtain our products from us for
$5.00 to cover shipping & handling. You place your order by sending us a
check via US mail, faxing us your credit card number & expiration date,
sending us your credit card number & expiration date via electronic mail,
or calling our 800 number order line: 800.231.1816.
.....
-REGISTRATION-------------------------------------------------------------
[Q] - How do I pay for one of Ambrosia's products?
[A] - Each Ambrosia Software product has an integrated registration system
that allows you to easily register the product a number of ways:
cash/check/money order/credit card via US mail, credit card via fax, or
credit card via eMail. Simply launch the Ambrosia Software product you
are interested in registering, and click on the Register... button in the
splash screen that appears. You'll be painlessly lead through the
registration system.
Ambrosia Software, Inc. also has a toll free order line. If you wish
to purchase any of our products, you can use your Visa or Mastercard and
call 800.231.1816. If you are calling outside the US/Canada region, or
need technical assistance, please call 716.427.2577.
We will process your order right over the phone, and give you a
license code immediately. We will also take orders for sending disks with
the Ambrosia Software products you are interested in, so that you can try
them out and decide if you would like to purchase them (see below for more
information).
After we have processed your registration, you will receive a
license code that you enter to complete the registration process. This
code removes the shareware notices and personalizes your copy of the
product.
To enter your license code, simply double-click on the Ambrosia
Software product for which you have purchased a license. A shareware
notice will come up on the screen, with a few buttons along the bottom.
To enter your license code, click on the Enter Code... button, and make
sure you enter all of the license information exactly as it is shown.
That's all there is to it.
.....
[Q] - My license code is invalid; what's wrong?
[A] - The license code you were sent is based on your name as you gave it
to us when you registered. Make sure that you are entering your name
EXACTLY as it appears on your registration confirmation. If you still
have a problem with your license code not working, please get in contact
with us and we will take care of the situation for you.
.....
[Q] - Why should I register (pay for) an Ambrosia product?
[A] - We're attempting to offer high quality products at a low price, on a
"try before you buy basis." Supporting us by registering our products --
assuming you like them -- is the only way you can ensure that we will
continue to produce more high quality software distributed as shareware.
Beyond that, you will receive a license code that removes the
shareware notices and personalizes the Ambrosia product you've purchased
with your name, giving you a legal copy on your Macintosh.
.....
[Q] - Does Ambrosia offer site licenses?
[A] - We do offer site licenses and discounts for quantity purchases.
This discount is calculated during the registration process. Simply click
on the Register... button and select your payment method. Then enter the
number of copies you need and press the tab key. Your discount will be
calculated and the total displayed. Here is a breakdown of the discounts.
10 - 20 copies: 10% discount
20 - 50 copies: 20% discount
50 - 100 copies: 30% discount
100 - 200 copies: 40% discount
over 200 copies: 50% discount
There is also an option to order using a purchase order, if your
company/institution requires them. We are also willing to work with
institutions to come up with a mutually agreeable site license; these
figures are not set in stone.
.....
[Q] - Does Ambrosia have products for any platforms other than the Mac?
[A] - No. We firmly believe in doing what we do best and not spreading
ourselves too thin. We're all familiar with the Macintosh -- both in
terms of using the machines and programming them -- and don't forsee
working on any other platforms in the near future. You never know, but
you can be pretty sure sometimes...
.....
-SUPPORT------------------------------------------------------------------
[Q] - How can I get in touch with Ambrosia?
[A] - Please feel free to get in touch with us using any of the following
methods:
US Mail:
Ambrosia Software, Inc.
PO Box 23140
Rochester, NY 14692
Voice:
716.427.2577 (technical support)
800.231.1816 (orders only)
Fax:
716.475.9289
eMail:
America Online: AmbrosiaSW
Compuserve: 74777,1147
eWorld: AmbrosiaSW
GEnie: AmbrosiaSW
Internet: Ambro...@AOL.com
.....
[Q] - What is "The Ambrosia Times?"
[A] - Ambrosia Software publishes an electronic newsletter entitled The
Ambrosia Times every odd month. The Ambrosia Times is an interactive
electronic company newsletter. Designed to offer insight into the company
itself, the newsletter will also serve as an online crossroads for
Ambrosia's shareware users.
In each issue of The Ambrosia Times, you'll find out about the
projects Ambrosia is currently working on, hints and tips for using
Ambrosia's products, bug reports, questions & answers, and a splash of
entertainment as well.
Current and back issues of The Ambrosia Times are available in
Ambrosia's forums on the various information services. Please see the
"How can I obtain Ambrosia's products?" topic for a complete listing of
how get to our digital watering holes to obtain The Ambrosia Times.
We also offer The Ambrosia Times on a subscription basis if you have
an account on America Online, eWorld, or CompuServe (sorry, we can't offer
this service over the Internet). If you're interested in having issues of
The Ambrosia Times dropped into your eMailbox hot off of the press every
other month, drop us a note to that effect and we'll add you to the
subscription list.
.....
-SHAREWARE----------------------------------------------------------------
[Q] - What is shareware?
[A] - Shareware is a method of distributing software that allows users to
try the full version of a product for a period of time (Ambrosia allows
for a 30 day evaluation period) *before* they are required to pay for it.
Shareware publishers *encourage* users to copy their products and
give them to their friends; asking that they pay only if they decide to
keep the product past the evaluation period.
Most people realize that it is in their best interest to support a
company that is offering quality software at a fraction of the price of
commercial software, and thus send in their shareware registration fee.
Ultimately, _you_ decide whether shareware authors will continue to
distribute low cost, high quality software as shareware.
.....
[Q] - Why are you distributing your products as shareware?
[A] - Because we firmly believe in the future of electronic software
distribution. By eliminating the middlemen, it becomes feasible to offer
quality products at a reduced price, with the added benefit to consumers
that they can try the product to see if it suits their needs before they
buy it.
We're reaching a critical mass of people hooked up to some form of
electronic information service or another. It's time that there was a
viable software distribution paradigm that suits the digital nature of
computer software.
.....
[Q] - Do you ever plan to "go commercial?"
[A] - No. We've had numerous offers to "go commercial" with our products,
but while Ambrosia is a business, it is a business with a vision. We're
committed (or perhaps should be committed, but I digress...) to
distributing quality software electronically at a price point
substantially less than commercial software.
.....
[Q] - Do you actually make any money?
[A] - "If it's not a personal question..." right? To answer the question,
we're still in business. We're not getting rich by any means, but we
haven't had to sell off the office mascot (Hector the African Grey Parrot)
yet either.
Whether we succeed at what we're doing or not is entirely in your
hands, assuming we take care of our end of the bargin by putting forth a
quality product. Don't forget that.
.....
[Q] - Is Ambrosia a full-time job?
[A] - And then some. But seriously, yes, everyone who works for Ambrosia
does so full-time, and depends on Ambrosia for their primary income. In
actuality we all spend quite a bit more than 8 hours a day wearing our
Ambrosia hats, but at least they are stylish and comfortable.
.....
-HISTORY------------------------------------------------------------------
[Q] - When was Ambrosia founded?
[A] - Ambrosia Software, Inc. is a New York State S-Corp, incorporated on
August 18th, 1993 (Federal ID#: 16-1443420). The name "Ambrosia" was used
as a dba by Andrew Welch for 3 years prior to the incorporation of
Ambrosia Software, Inc.
.....
[Q] - Who works at Ambrosia?
[A] - Currently, Ambrosia employs the following people:
Andrew Welch -- President & Thaumaturgist
Ed Ota -- Operations
"Cajun" David Richard -- Technical Support
John Haley -- Marketing
Gayle Haarr -- Accountant & Office Manager
.....
[Q] - What development environment do you use at Ambrosia?
[A] - We had previously been using Symantec's THINK C for development, but
we have since switched to MetroWerk's excellent CodeWarrior development
environment.
Ambrosia's programs are written in a mixture of Pascal, C, and a
smattering of 68K assembler for special cases. We're investigating moving
to C++, but haven't found the benfits to be convincing enough for our
particular focus at this time.
.....
-END----------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris Krueger
(AndrewWelc) wrote:
> If there are any questions you have about Ambrosia that are not
> answered in this FAQ, please get in touch with us so we can include them
> in future revisions.
OK, here's a couple!
1) What projects is Ambrosia currently working on?
(please please please say an RPG...) :)
2) What's this I hear about Ambrosia purchasing Microsoft? Is it true
Windows 95 will be modified and only be released on the Vic-20? How will
you dispose of Bill Gates?
:)
--
Chris Kreuger
akru...@madison.k12.wi.us
Jeffrey Vogel
name is Spider (anyone who's played Exile will understand). Does PlayMaker
have a mascot?
- Jeff Vogel
Keeper of Exile
AmbrosiaSW
That must be why he listens in during meetings....
Regards,
"Cajun" David Richard
Technical Support Manager
Ambrosia Software, Inc.
..........
For the latest versions of our software, technical support, and Ambrosia
news, stop by and visit the Ambrosia Software, Inc. support forums:
America Online ---> Keyword: Ambrosia
CompuServe ---> GO word: Ambrosia
eWorld --> Shortcut: Ambrosia