Frequently-Asked Questions

Q: What is ESC?
A: ESC (Educational Software Cooperative) is a nonprofit trade association for people involved in educational software.

Q: Who may join ESC?
A: Anyone who has an interest in ESC's goals is welcome to join. To view, print or download a membership application, click here. Secure online ordering is also available through our online payment processing.

Q: What are the differences in membership categories?
A: As in many nonprofit membership organizations, "Supporting Member" and "Contributing Member" are prestige titles for those who show their support by contributing a little extra money. These special members will receive thanks and recognition for their help, including mention in the newsletter and on the web site. In some cases, special benefits are offered to these members. We currently have a special banner advertising program available to Contributing and Supporting Members.

Q: What are your goals?
A: As required by the bylaws, our purposes are "To advance the mutual benefit of authors, publishers, dealers and distributors of educational software; to voluntarily cooperate formally and informally with each other to better develop, advertise, distribute and sell our educational software; to provide the public with information regarding the benefits, uses, and availability of educational software."

To view or print a copy of the bylaws, click here

Q: Do your members write and publish shareware?
A: Many of our members market their software through shareware or other try-before-you-buy methods. However, we are not specifically a shareware organization. Many of our members sell software through stores, mail-order, and other typical retail channels, as well as non-shareware online sales. Others are consultants, online providers, teachers, and parents.

Q: I see that memberships are renewable in April. What happens if I join in November? Will I still have to renew in April?
A: Yes, but if you joined late in the membership year, your dues for the second year will be reduced, based on when you joined.

Q: Does ESC publish software? Do you have a catalog? How can I buy software from you?
A: ESC is a professional association, not a software publisher or retailer. We do not sell software, and do not have a catalog of software for sale. If you are interested in purchasing software produced by one of our members, please contact that member directly. Links to most of our members are available on our website. We also have a download site.

Q: I'm looking for software for young children, or for learning disabled people, or for college students, or for my church, or for some other group. Or I'm looking for a particular program that I've heard of but can't find anywhere. Or I need recommendations for software to fill a particular need. Or I need DOS programs to run on an older computer.
A: Please take a a few minutes to look at the software collection. It contains a wide selection of programs you can download and try. Also, feel free to post an inquiry in our newsgroup. Remember to come back in a few days to see if someone has posted an answer to your question. There is no need to send us an email message about your inquiry; we read all messages posted in the newsgroup. (If you don't understand how to use a newsgroup, please see our newsgroup information page.)

Please don't send an email requesting that we help you find a particular kind of software, textbooks, employees, or other goods and services. We do not have a research staff available to provide you with personal assistance. All inquiries should be posted on in the newsgroup, where our friendly members and other visitors can help you with your query.

Q: What's a newsgroup? How can I use it?
A: A newsgroup is an online discussion area. You probably already have a program on your computer that can access newsgroups easily. For more information and instructions, see our newsgroup information page.

Q: I've written some educational programs. Please add my link to your home page.
A: Except for a few sites of special interest, the links on our page are to ESC members only. This is one of the benefits of membership.

Q: I'd like to send you my program and have you comment on it. Or I'd like you to view my web page and tell me what you think of it.
A: We do not have a staff available for reviewing your programs, websites or other products. We recommend that you use beta testers to thoroughly test and review each program before you release it. You may post a message in the newsgroup asking for volunteers to help critique your website or software. Additionally, there are companies that can review the quality or marketability of software. A partial list includes Dr. File Finder, Shareware Junkies, and Promaxum. (Please note that these links are provided for information only. ESC does not endorse any products or services.)

Q: I'm a CD-ROM publisher or disk vendor. If I join ESC, does that mean I can distribute or re-publish your members' software?
A: ESC does not and cannot own or grant any rights in its members' software. Each copyright holder has the right to control distribution and publishing of his or her product. Publishers, distributors, and vendors need to examine the software license or contact the developer/publisher directly to find out what kind distribution rights are granted.

Q: I'm looking for a job. Here's my resume! Can you send it out to employers for me?
A: ESC is neither an employer nor an employment agency. We cannot help you in your job search.

Q: I'm looking for industry-wide sales statistics.
A: Try Simba Information at http://www.simbanet.com.

Q: I'm writing a report for school. I need some kind of information or statistics about your members and their businesses.
A: The best place to contact our members is in our newsgroup.

Q: Where can I get more information?
A: The best place to ask questions and get answers is our newsgroup. You can also send an inquiry by email.

Q: I'm planning to send you email trying to sell you my goods or services. I'm sure you'll be interested! Or we can exchange links!
A: Please don't bother. We are a non-profit trade association whose sole purpose is to serve our members' interests and fulfill the goals outlined in our bylaws. We are not a developer, a publisher, an end user, a profit-making corporation, or any other kind of entity you might be able to sell something to. Our policy is to discard online solicitations and to report unsolicited bulk email ("spam") to the sender's service provider.