(A) - Catara Software is a small group of users and developers dedicated to bringing commercial quality software to the Macintosh. We work both as contract and shareware developers. You can find our shareware on the internet and in various Mac magazines.
(Q) - What kind of products does Catara create?
(A) - Catara develops both productivity and anti-productivity tools (games) that make using your Macintosh more enjoyable. For a complete catalog of our products and services, please visit our Web site, or see the document Catara Catalog.txt that comes with all our products.
(Q) - My company needs help on XXXX, can Catara help?
(A) - Yes, we offer Macintosh consulting services. If you have a programming need we have a programming solution. Send us an eMail and we will see what we can do for you. All communication is kept completely confidential.
(Q) - Does Catara have a product catalog?
(A) - Yes, you will find the file Catara Catalog included with every product we ship. In addition, our web site offers an online catalog. For more information on any of our products go to: <http://www.catarasw.com/products>
(Q) - How can I obtain Catara's products?
(A) - Our products can be found on the Web, and in various magazines around the world. But you can always find the latest versions of all our products on the Catara web site. For more information on any of our products go to: <http://www.catarasw.com/products>.
(Q) - I do not have internet access, can you send me a CD with your products on it?
(A) - We do not have any plans at this time to distribute our products on CD. You might try a local users group, they typically sell shareware collections on CD.
(Q) - Does Catara develop products for platforms other than the Macintosh?
(A) - NO! And we do not see any reason to start either.
REGISTRATION & SUPPORT
(Q) - How do I pay for one of Catara's products?
(A) - Payments for all of our Shareware products are handled by Kagi, an online payment processing service. This means that you can pay with credit card (VISA, MasterCard and American Express), NetCash, First Virtual, US checks, foreign checks in US dollars, and cash in a variety of currencies.
Each of our shareware programs comes with a "Registering XXX" application. This program will allow you to place an order with Kagi either using their web-based order form, or by generating an order form that you can send to Kagi. Once Kagi has processed your order and you have received a registration code, you will use this program to personalize the program with your name. Finally, if you need to contact Catara Software, you can use the contact page on this program as a quick reference.
Please read the instructions for placing an order with Kagi offline carefully, as they will describe the necessary steps and precautions that you will need to take.
(Q) - My license code is invalid; what is 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 send eMail to registration@catarasw.com and we will take care of the situation for you.
(Q) - I have lost my license code, how can I have it replaced?
(A) - Catara Software maintains a database of registered users, so if you should happen to lose your license code, simply eMail the name of the product and your full name to registration@catarasw.com, and we will send your code to you.
(Q) - Why should I register (pay for) a Catara product?
(A) - When you register one of our products you are telling us that we have done our job. That we have provided you with quality Macintosh software that you were able to download and try risk free for 30 days.
Catara exists because we want a place where we can work on projects that interest us; a place where we can be innovative; a place where we are limited only by our imagination. We are software artists who have a passion for creativity and the drive for quality. Our passion is demonstrated in our software and our client's software.
(Q) - I share a computer with 4 other people, do I need to purchase 5 licenses?
(A) - NO! We do not believe in penalizing you for sharing your computer with your roommate, having to share a computer is punishment enough.
(Q) - Does Catara offer site or world wide licenses?
(A) - We do offer site and world-wide licenses for quantity purchases. If you have 50 or more machines at one location, you can choose our site license option to save 25% compared to the individual license rate. If you have 4 or more locations at one company, then you can choose our world wide license option to save 50% compared to the individual license rate.
(Q) - How can I get in touch with Catara?
(A) - You can get in touch with Catara using any of the following methods:
Classic: Catara Software
PO Box 12187
Shawnee Mission, KS 66282
Web: http://www.CataraSW.com
eMail: catara@CataraSW.com
SHAREWARE
(Q) - What is shareware?
(A) - Shareware is a marketing method, not a type of software or even strictly just a distribution method. When software is marketed through normal retail channels, you are forced to pay for the product before you have even seen it. The Shareware marketing method lets you try a program before you buy it. Since you have tried the program, you know whether it will meet your needs before you pay for it. A Shareware program is just like a program you find in major stores, catalogs, and other places where software is purchased; except you get to use it, on your own computer, before paying for it.
(Q) - Why are you distributing your products as shareware?
(A) - We believe that you, as the customer, should have the right to evaluate a product before you buy it. You would not buy a car without taking it for a test drive, we believe that software should be the same way.
(Q) - Why should I pay for something so cheap? Its only a few bucks...
(A) - Just because our software is less expensive than shrink-wrapped software does not mean that is of lesser quality. We do not see the advantage of charging you an additional $40 for a box and shelf space.
(Q) - Do you actually make any money?
(A) - Yes, as long as people such as yourself respect the Shareware process and send in their payments, we make money.
(Q) - Is Catara a full-time job?
(A) - Yes it is.
COMPANY TIDBITS
(Q) - Can you tell me a little about Catara?
(A) - Catara Software was founded in November 1996 with the mission to cultivate an environment that allows us to explore our creativity through innovative software products.
What sets Catara apart is our passion for innovation. Catara exists because we want a place where we can work on projects that interest us; a place where we can be innovative; a place where we are limited only by our imagination. We are software artists who have a passion for creativity and the drive for quality. Our passion is demonstrated in our software and our client's software.
(Q) - What development environment do you use at Catara?
(A) - All of our development is done on a dual headed PowerMac G4/500 running MacOS X with 512 MB RAM. Carbon based applications are written in C++ using Metrowerks CodeWarrior and the PowerPlant framework (where necessary). MacOS X development is done in Java and Objective C and uses the Cocoa API.
Copyright 2001 Catara Software; Catara and the Catara logo are trademarks of Catara™ Software, All Rights Reserved. Other brand names, company names, or products mentioned in this document are trademarks, registered trademarks, or tradenames of their respective holders.
