F
fcputao
Unregistered / Unconfirmed
GUEST, unregistred user!
Author Dev. Kit
Welcome to Tucows. We have produced this FAQdo
cument for software developers who want to learn more about the Tucows site. Thedo
cument covers most questions an author might have about being hosted on Tucows.
A. ALL ABOUT TUCOWS
Why a software library?
Can I submit any type of software?
Who hosts thedo
wnload file?
Howdo
es the rate/review system work?
Wheredo
I submit my application for reviewing?
B. WHY SHOULD I LET TUCOWS POWER MYdo
WNLOADS?
C. QUESTIONS REGARDING SUBMISSIONS
Oops! I submitted my update as a new program. What happens now?
Oops! I submitted my new program as an update. What happens now?
Oops! I submitted to the wrong channel. What happens now?
Whydo
n't I see my update?
What's this about a registration code?
Howdo
I update my software?
D. QUESTIONS REGARDING REJECTION
Why was my program rejected?
What error caused my program to be rejected?
I've tweaked and re-tweaked my program many times, but you still won't accept it. What's wrong?
My program is already hosted on otherdo
wnload sites, so why won't Tucows accept it?
You rejected my program because it is in a language other than English. What's up with that?
Are there any programs you will not take?
E. GENERAL QUESTIONS
My program is similar to other programs on your site. However, mine requires a registration fee for the full version. Will this affect my review?
Will I know how many times my application isdo
wnloaded from Tucows? Is there a developer login center of any sort?
If I pay you, will I get posted or get a better review?
Do you hate me?
Do you love me?
Why is my program listed on one channel and not another?
I already have programs hosted on Tucows but you rejected my latest one. Why?
Can I use your images?
Howdo
I link to my program?
Can I link directly to thedo
wnload instead of the review?
A. ALL ABOUT TUCOWS
Tucows (http://www.tucows.com) is an Internet software library that began as a hobby in 1993. Since then
, Tucows has grown into the world's most powerful software distribution network. Since its inception, the Tucows library has grown to include over 40,000 applications on the Windows, Macintosh and Linux platforms. On average, the entire Tucows Network of sites generates in the region of 110 million page views per month. Tucows enjoys an audience of approximately 9 to 10 million unique users. If you would like to learn more about our company, please go to http://about.tucows.com. Tucows was founded on our rate/review model, a system that underpins all of our software libraries. To provide the best value to our customers, all software within our Internet libraries is rated and reviewed. Only those passing the minimum rating are listed online. In addition, every single application on Tucows must conform to the "try before you buy" principle. That is to say the application must be freeware, or if not, it must either be a demo or trial version. While Tucowsdo
es provide some reviews of boxed software with nodo
wnload available, we generallydo
not list any applications on our sites where an end-user cannotdo
wnload that application and try it before committing to a purchase.
Why a software library?
With thousands of software developers using the Internet to distribute their software, Tucows, as far back as 1993, saw a need to provide a "library" approach to the distribution of software. The benefits of such an approach are clear. End-users can avoid search engines and trudging through thousands of Web pages to find software they need. Developers benefit since we provide a huge marketing channel through which they can distribute and sell software online.
Can I submit any type of software?
Firstly, your application must either be either freeware, a demo or trial version. We simply require that your application can bedo
wnloaded and used by an end-user without having to pay first. Shareware or commercial applications should have an evaluation period of seven or more days. We reserve the right to refuse any application and willdo
so if it contains any content not suitable for a family audience. Applications containing adult content will not be permitted into the library.
Who hosts thedo
wnload file?
Tucowsdo
es. We cannot distribute any software application that wedo
not physically store on our servers. Tucows is not a library of links to developer Web sites. It is a one-stop location from which all of the software applications we list can bedo
wnloaded. Through our affiliate network, Tucows has earned the reputation of providing the fastest localizeddo
wnloads of any distribution network. In fact, Tucows has in excess of 1,700 affiliates worldwide, making it the largest network of its kind. Our affiliates consist of telecommunications companies, ISPs and the like. This is the reason we insist on hosting the physicaldo
wnload.
Howdo
es the rate/review system work?
All software submitted to Tucows is rated from 1 to 5 cows. Only those applications with a 3-cow or higher rating are listed on the site. In every case, one of the Tucows Review Staff will physically install, use and test your software. They will then
write a short review, including a description of what your applicationdo
es. Our rating guides can be viewed online by going to http://www.tucows.com/ratings.html. The rating guide serves as a measuring tool for end-users who navigate our libraries. Over the last few years, Tucows has built its reputation on this model and this distinguishes us from other sites. We accept that automated sites used by many of our competitors are much quicker. However, we have proven there is considerable value for the customer using our rate/review system, which inevitably leads to better conversion rates fromdo
wnloads to sales in the longer term. Our methodical approach offers both developers and customers greater value over time.
Wheredo
I submit my application for reviewing?
Simply go to http://author.tucows.com/ and log in. Click on Control Center. As you can see, you can either Add New Software (software not already hosted by Tucows) or Update Software (software already hosted by Tucows). When filling out the program description field please give us as much detail as possible. Typically, we will process your application within a few days. We will notify you with an e-mail whether your program was accepted or declined. Sometimes we may not be able to process your application as quickly as we would like. This depends on the number of submissions made during any one day, so pleasedo
bear with us. If you have any concerns, you can always contact developer@tucows.com.
B. WHY SHOULD I LET TUCOWS POWER MYdo
WNLOADS?
Now that your program has been accepted by Tucows, the largest distribution network in existence, what are you going todo
about it? Sure, you could simply let us host thedo
wnload and forget about it. But whydo
that? Take a progressive stance towards the life of your software and link to our review from your Web page. More page views translate to moredo
wnloads. Moreover, if your product is shareware, moredo
wnloads translate to more purchases. But beyond that there are other reasons to let us power yourdo
wnload:
Letting us carry the traffic for yourdo
wnload clears up bandwidth for you, which translates into lower hosting fees for you. Even if you use free hosting, how much bandwidth will they let you chew up before they ask you to stop?
Tucows is known worldwide for the quality software it carries, and being associated with Tucows is a feather in your cap. Why not tell everyone they cando
wnload your program from us?
We can be your e-commerce solution. Use our resources and our partnerships to sell your program. Youdo
none of the work and still make a profit.
We will soon offerdo
wnload statistics. We are currently working on a system that will provide authors with personalized statistics on their programs.
Our servers are located around the world, ensuring the fastestdo
wnloads possible. Over 1,700 mirrors in 70 countries allow users localdo
wnloads instead of drawing resources from one central server half a continent away.
In the past eight years our servers have had a 99.99% uptime rating. This means that no matter what, at least one mirror somewhere is hosting your file at all times. Is your current file hosting that reliable?
C. QUESTIONS REGARDING SUBMISSIONS
Oops! I submitted my update as a new program. What happens now?
That depends. If your update is handled by someone who happens to recognize the program name, they will simply make the update as normal. However, your program may be rejected. If you receive a rejection for this reason, please submit your program correctly.
Oops! I submitted my new program as an update. What happens now?
In the past, some people have tried to use this as a loophole in an attempt to get immediate attention for their program. Because of this spamming, we have adopted a policy of automatically rejecting new programs submitted as updates. If you have received a rejection for this reason, please submit your program correctly.
Oops! I submitted to the wrong channel. What happens now?
Depending on our backlog, your program may be forwarded to the correct channel or rejected outright. If you receive a rejection for this reason, please submit your program to the correct channel.
Whydo
n't I see my update?
Our queues are always full, so it usually takes about 24 business hours to get any particular program processed. From there, it's another day and a half for every single mirror in the world to catch up. Keep your eye on the What's New page. If your program hasn't been added within four days, contact helpdesk@tucows.com.
What's this about a registration code?
Programs that require a registration code to unlock features must be submitted along with a registration code. Programs will only be evaluated on the features that are available. If you submit to us a version of your program that has only three features, it will only be reviewed on those three features and not the 20 locked ones.
Howdo
I update my software?
Go to http://submit.tucows.com and select the channel on which your software is hosted. then
select "Update an Existing Program" and fill in the fields.
D. QUESTIONS REGARDING REJECTIONS
Why was my program rejected?
Your program could have been rejected for any of a number of reasons. If there was a specific reason, it should have been mentioned in your letter of declination. If it wasn't, your program may not have scored high enough to be published by Tucows.
What error caused my program to be rejected?
The error should have been reported to you. If it wasn't, e-mail developer@tucows.com.
I've tweaked and re-tweaked my program many times, but you still won't accept it. What's wrong?
It's hard to say. For starters, look at our site. If you have a program type in mind, make sure you compare and contrast your program with the ones on our site in that particular category. Your program should strive to be more than what already exists.do
n't settle for a mediocre clone. After all, wedo
n't. If your programdo
esn't bring something fresh to the category it probably won't be accepted. Avoid submitting programs that belong to an already-saturated genre. And no Worm games either. Seriously. Jodi will hunt youdo
wn.
My program is already hosted on otherdo
wnload sites, so why won't Tucows accept it?
Congratulations on being hosted on other sites! While wedo
n't wish to detract from the honor of being selected for hosting by other sites, we at Tucows like to think we raise the bar a bit. Our programs are, in our humble opinions, the best, brightest and shiniest of the hundreds of programs we receive every day.
You rejected my program because it is in a language other than English. What's up with that?
To reiterate the letter you received: "...due to the fact that Tucows has limited space on each of our mirror sites and has had to be more selective about published programs. This is not a prejudice of any sort or a slight on the quality of your program." We are currently working on non-English versions of Tucows and we will one day begin
accepting non-English submissions.
Are there any programs you will not take?
Tucows will not accept programs containing mature content, Java applets, or program add-ons. Sodo
n't even think of submitting your Nudie Netscape Add-On Java Panel v4.0.
E. GENERAL QUESTIONS
My program is similar to other programs on your site. However, mine requires a registration fee for the full version. Will this affect my review?
Nope. All programs are reviewed on the features included in the program. Nothing else
, not even sunspots, will change this.
Will I know how many times my application isdo
wnloaded from Tucows? Is there a developer login center of any sort?
Excellent question! I always told your mother you were bright. Tucows can providedo
wnload stats, but only on request. Our emphasis on distribution through our affiliate network imposes technical challenges in collating and providing real-time statistical information across multiple mirror sites. We are working to improve developer interaction with our site. A new authors' area is currently being developed. More information on this will be available shortly.
If I pay you, will I get posted or get a better review?
While we love getting money from strangers, paying us won't alter your review at all. But feel free to send the money anyway.
Do you hate me?
No, my child.
Do you love me?
Yes. But only as a dear friend.
do
n't go getting all weird on us.
Why is my program listed on one channel and not another?
Each channel has its own separate criteria on which programs are evaluated. Programs are evaluated against other programs like them. Therefore, it's apples and oranges comparing a Windows 98 MP3 player to a Linux MP3 player.
I already have programs hosted on Tucows but you rejected my latest one. Why?
Programs are evaluated and compared to others like it. Just because your MP3 player was accepted isn't a guarantee that your picture viewer will be.
Can I use your images?
Sure! Help yourself and link to our review. For reasons the reasons that you should let Tucows power yourdo
wnloads, check out B.
Howdo
I link to my program?
After you find your program, look at the URL. If you look at the Blaze Media Pro 2001L review on the Flint, Michigan mirror you will see its URL is http://qix.tucows.com/preview/136347.html.
If you take the last part of the URL (preview/136347) and add it to the end of http://www.tucows.com/, you will have the link you want. From here thedo
wnload link will lead directly to our mirroring system.
Can I link directly to thedo
wnload instead of the review?
No. Being hosted on Tucows is an honor and completely free to you. All that we ask is that you link to our review page and not thedo
wnload page. Linking directly to thedo
wnload page is a disservice to Tucows, our affiliates who help host your program and to all of our partners. Reports of back-ending us will be investigated, and upon confirmation our legal team will be contacted for further measures.
Welcome to Tucows. We have produced this FAQdo
cument for software developers who want to learn more about the Tucows site. Thedo
cument covers most questions an author might have about being hosted on Tucows.
A. ALL ABOUT TUCOWS
Why a software library?
Can I submit any type of software?
Who hosts thedo
wnload file?
Howdo
es the rate/review system work?
Wheredo
I submit my application for reviewing?
B. WHY SHOULD I LET TUCOWS POWER MYdo
WNLOADS?
C. QUESTIONS REGARDING SUBMISSIONS
Oops! I submitted my update as a new program. What happens now?
Oops! I submitted my new program as an update. What happens now?
Oops! I submitted to the wrong channel. What happens now?
Whydo
n't I see my update?
What's this about a registration code?
Howdo
I update my software?
D. QUESTIONS REGARDING REJECTION
Why was my program rejected?
What error caused my program to be rejected?
I've tweaked and re-tweaked my program many times, but you still won't accept it. What's wrong?
My program is already hosted on otherdo
wnload sites, so why won't Tucows accept it?
You rejected my program because it is in a language other than English. What's up with that?
Are there any programs you will not take?
E. GENERAL QUESTIONS
My program is similar to other programs on your site. However, mine requires a registration fee for the full version. Will this affect my review?
Will I know how many times my application isdo
wnloaded from Tucows? Is there a developer login center of any sort?
If I pay you, will I get posted or get a better review?
Do you hate me?
Do you love me?
Why is my program listed on one channel and not another?
I already have programs hosted on Tucows but you rejected my latest one. Why?
Can I use your images?
Howdo
I link to my program?
Can I link directly to thedo
wnload instead of the review?
A. ALL ABOUT TUCOWS
Tucows (http://www.tucows.com) is an Internet software library that began as a hobby in 1993. Since then
, Tucows has grown into the world's most powerful software distribution network. Since its inception, the Tucows library has grown to include over 40,000 applications on the Windows, Macintosh and Linux platforms. On average, the entire Tucows Network of sites generates in the region of 110 million page views per month. Tucows enjoys an audience of approximately 9 to 10 million unique users. If you would like to learn more about our company, please go to http://about.tucows.com. Tucows was founded on our rate/review model, a system that underpins all of our software libraries. To provide the best value to our customers, all software within our Internet libraries is rated and reviewed. Only those passing the minimum rating are listed online. In addition, every single application on Tucows must conform to the "try before you buy" principle. That is to say the application must be freeware, or if not, it must either be a demo or trial version. While Tucowsdo
es provide some reviews of boxed software with nodo
wnload available, we generallydo
not list any applications on our sites where an end-user cannotdo
wnload that application and try it before committing to a purchase.
Why a software library?
With thousands of software developers using the Internet to distribute their software, Tucows, as far back as 1993, saw a need to provide a "library" approach to the distribution of software. The benefits of such an approach are clear. End-users can avoid search engines and trudging through thousands of Web pages to find software they need. Developers benefit since we provide a huge marketing channel through which they can distribute and sell software online.
Can I submit any type of software?
Firstly, your application must either be either freeware, a demo or trial version. We simply require that your application can bedo
wnloaded and used by an end-user without having to pay first. Shareware or commercial applications should have an evaluation period of seven or more days. We reserve the right to refuse any application and willdo
so if it contains any content not suitable for a family audience. Applications containing adult content will not be permitted into the library.
Who hosts thedo
wnload file?
Tucowsdo
es. We cannot distribute any software application that wedo
not physically store on our servers. Tucows is not a library of links to developer Web sites. It is a one-stop location from which all of the software applications we list can bedo
wnloaded. Through our affiliate network, Tucows has earned the reputation of providing the fastest localizeddo
wnloads of any distribution network. In fact, Tucows has in excess of 1,700 affiliates worldwide, making it the largest network of its kind. Our affiliates consist of telecommunications companies, ISPs and the like. This is the reason we insist on hosting the physicaldo
wnload.
Howdo
es the rate/review system work?
All software submitted to Tucows is rated from 1 to 5 cows. Only those applications with a 3-cow or higher rating are listed on the site. In every case, one of the Tucows Review Staff will physically install, use and test your software. They will then
write a short review, including a description of what your applicationdo
es. Our rating guides can be viewed online by going to http://www.tucows.com/ratings.html. The rating guide serves as a measuring tool for end-users who navigate our libraries. Over the last few years, Tucows has built its reputation on this model and this distinguishes us from other sites. We accept that automated sites used by many of our competitors are much quicker. However, we have proven there is considerable value for the customer using our rate/review system, which inevitably leads to better conversion rates fromdo
wnloads to sales in the longer term. Our methodical approach offers both developers and customers greater value over time.
Wheredo
I submit my application for reviewing?
Simply go to http://author.tucows.com/ and log in. Click on Control Center. As you can see, you can either Add New Software (software not already hosted by Tucows) or Update Software (software already hosted by Tucows). When filling out the program description field please give us as much detail as possible. Typically, we will process your application within a few days. We will notify you with an e-mail whether your program was accepted or declined. Sometimes we may not be able to process your application as quickly as we would like. This depends on the number of submissions made during any one day, so pleasedo
bear with us. If you have any concerns, you can always contact developer@tucows.com.
B. WHY SHOULD I LET TUCOWS POWER MYdo
WNLOADS?
Now that your program has been accepted by Tucows, the largest distribution network in existence, what are you going todo
about it? Sure, you could simply let us host thedo
wnload and forget about it. But whydo
that? Take a progressive stance towards the life of your software and link to our review from your Web page. More page views translate to moredo
wnloads. Moreover, if your product is shareware, moredo
wnloads translate to more purchases. But beyond that there are other reasons to let us power yourdo
wnload:
Letting us carry the traffic for yourdo
wnload clears up bandwidth for you, which translates into lower hosting fees for you. Even if you use free hosting, how much bandwidth will they let you chew up before they ask you to stop?
Tucows is known worldwide for the quality software it carries, and being associated with Tucows is a feather in your cap. Why not tell everyone they cando
wnload your program from us?
We can be your e-commerce solution. Use our resources and our partnerships to sell your program. Youdo
none of the work and still make a profit.
We will soon offerdo
wnload statistics. We are currently working on a system that will provide authors with personalized statistics on their programs.
Our servers are located around the world, ensuring the fastestdo
wnloads possible. Over 1,700 mirrors in 70 countries allow users localdo
wnloads instead of drawing resources from one central server half a continent away.
In the past eight years our servers have had a 99.99% uptime rating. This means that no matter what, at least one mirror somewhere is hosting your file at all times. Is your current file hosting that reliable?
C. QUESTIONS REGARDING SUBMISSIONS
Oops! I submitted my update as a new program. What happens now?
That depends. If your update is handled by someone who happens to recognize the program name, they will simply make the update as normal. However, your program may be rejected. If you receive a rejection for this reason, please submit your program correctly.
Oops! I submitted my new program as an update. What happens now?
In the past, some people have tried to use this as a loophole in an attempt to get immediate attention for their program. Because of this spamming, we have adopted a policy of automatically rejecting new programs submitted as updates. If you have received a rejection for this reason, please submit your program correctly.
Oops! I submitted to the wrong channel. What happens now?
Depending on our backlog, your program may be forwarded to the correct channel or rejected outright. If you receive a rejection for this reason, please submit your program to the correct channel.
Whydo
n't I see my update?
Our queues are always full, so it usually takes about 24 business hours to get any particular program processed. From there, it's another day and a half for every single mirror in the world to catch up. Keep your eye on the What's New page. If your program hasn't been added within four days, contact helpdesk@tucows.com.
What's this about a registration code?
Programs that require a registration code to unlock features must be submitted along with a registration code. Programs will only be evaluated on the features that are available. If you submit to us a version of your program that has only three features, it will only be reviewed on those three features and not the 20 locked ones.
Howdo
I update my software?
Go to http://submit.tucows.com and select the channel on which your software is hosted. then
select "Update an Existing Program" and fill in the fields.
D. QUESTIONS REGARDING REJECTIONS
Why was my program rejected?
Your program could have been rejected for any of a number of reasons. If there was a specific reason, it should have been mentioned in your letter of declination. If it wasn't, your program may not have scored high enough to be published by Tucows.
What error caused my program to be rejected?
The error should have been reported to you. If it wasn't, e-mail developer@tucows.com.
I've tweaked and re-tweaked my program many times, but you still won't accept it. What's wrong?
It's hard to say. For starters, look at our site. If you have a program type in mind, make sure you compare and contrast your program with the ones on our site in that particular category. Your program should strive to be more than what already exists.do
n't settle for a mediocre clone. After all, wedo
n't. If your programdo
esn't bring something fresh to the category it probably won't be accepted. Avoid submitting programs that belong to an already-saturated genre. And no Worm games either. Seriously. Jodi will hunt youdo
wn.
My program is already hosted on otherdo
wnload sites, so why won't Tucows accept it?
Congratulations on being hosted on other sites! While wedo
n't wish to detract from the honor of being selected for hosting by other sites, we at Tucows like to think we raise the bar a bit. Our programs are, in our humble opinions, the best, brightest and shiniest of the hundreds of programs we receive every day.
You rejected my program because it is in a language other than English. What's up with that?
To reiterate the letter you received: "...due to the fact that Tucows has limited space on each of our mirror sites and has had to be more selective about published programs. This is not a prejudice of any sort or a slight on the quality of your program." We are currently working on non-English versions of Tucows and we will one day begin
accepting non-English submissions.
Are there any programs you will not take?
Tucows will not accept programs containing mature content, Java applets, or program add-ons. Sodo
n't even think of submitting your Nudie Netscape Add-On Java Panel v4.0.
E. GENERAL QUESTIONS
My program is similar to other programs on your site. However, mine requires a registration fee for the full version. Will this affect my review?
Nope. All programs are reviewed on the features included in the program. Nothing else
, not even sunspots, will change this.
Will I know how many times my application isdo
wnloaded from Tucows? Is there a developer login center of any sort?
Excellent question! I always told your mother you were bright. Tucows can providedo
wnload stats, but only on request. Our emphasis on distribution through our affiliate network imposes technical challenges in collating and providing real-time statistical information across multiple mirror sites. We are working to improve developer interaction with our site. A new authors' area is currently being developed. More information on this will be available shortly.
If I pay you, will I get posted or get a better review?
While we love getting money from strangers, paying us won't alter your review at all. But feel free to send the money anyway.
Do you hate me?
No, my child.
Do you love me?
Yes. But only as a dear friend.
do
n't go getting all weird on us.
Why is my program listed on one channel and not another?
Each channel has its own separate criteria on which programs are evaluated. Programs are evaluated against other programs like them. Therefore, it's apples and oranges comparing a Windows 98 MP3 player to a Linux MP3 player.
I already have programs hosted on Tucows but you rejected my latest one. Why?
Programs are evaluated and compared to others like it. Just because your MP3 player was accepted isn't a guarantee that your picture viewer will be.
Can I use your images?
Sure! Help yourself and link to our review. For reasons the reasons that you should let Tucows power yourdo
wnloads, check out B.
Howdo
I link to my program?
After you find your program, look at the URL. If you look at the Blaze Media Pro 2001L review on the Flint, Michigan mirror you will see its URL is http://qix.tucows.com/preview/136347.html.
If you take the last part of the URL (preview/136347) and add it to the end of http://www.tucows.com/, you will have the link you want. From here thedo
wnload link will lead directly to our mirroring system.
Can I link directly to thedo
wnload instead of the review?
No. Being hosted on Tucows is an honor and completely free to you. All that we ask is that you link to our review page and not thedo
wnload page. Linking directly to thedo
wnload page is a disservice to Tucows, our affiliates who help host your program and to all of our partners. Reports of back-ending us will be investigated, and upon confirmation our legal team will be contacted for further measures.
][/blue]