The Shareware Industry Award for Lifetime Achievement is given to those individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to shareware during their lifetime. Many factors are considered including the individuals impact on the shareware industry as a whole. Because of the nature of the award, it is not bestowed every year, and it may be given posthumously. From 1992 through 1995, the award was determined by those voting on the Shareware Industry Awards. Since 1995, the award has been decided on by the Shareware Industry Awards Foundation Board of Directors.

2004 Lifetime Achievement Inductees

Paris Karahalios

Paris Karahalios created TRIUS, Inc. along with his two partners, Dave Schultz and David Leonard, in 1986. He created his first product, As-Easy-As, in response to the Soviet "Chernobyl" nuclear disaster. As part of the team of nuclear experts called in to help, Paris soon realized there was no spreadsheet that could handle the data from the disaster. Even the then popular spreadsheet Lotus was inadequate, so Paris and his partners created As-Easy-As to do the job. It was then introduced as shareware in 1986. As the "front" man for the company, Paris was one of the first shareware authors to introduce a product in multiple languages. As-Easy-As was translated into numerous languages, including Chinese. Paris helped to break down barriers and had one of the very first shareware products sold around the world. Paris was truly an ambassador for shareware products and led the way so others could follow.

Paris was an active member in the early days of the ASP and often found himself in charge of planning and executing the ASP events at Fall Comdex. Always willing to step up and help out, he acted as an advisor and resource person for the creation of the European Shareware Conference.

Paris is also one of the co-founders of the Shareware Industry Awards Foundation. In his capacity as board member he has worked on every aspect of the conference, from finding sponsors to arranging for speakers. And, over the years, he's been a frequent speaker at the Shareware Industry Conference himself because of his expertise in so many areas -- translations, international markets, low cost retail, and more. As a member of the shareware community for the past 18 years he has always been willing to share his knowledge and experience with others. And over those years Paris has helped countless authors with his intuitive insights, helpful nature, sound advice, and always with a touch of humor. He takes pleasure in helping others and he has helped many! As one of the true pioneers of the shareware industry, the SIAF board of directors is proud to award the Shareware Industry Award for Lifetime Achievement to Paris Karahalios.

2003 Lifetime Achievement Inductees

Don Watkins

Don Watkins first got interested in computer technology way back in the 1960’s while working at a bank. And, when IBM released the PC in the very early 80’s, he got one. And what a deal it was … 64K of RAM, a 160K disk drive and all for just 5 GRAND! In 1982 he developed the IBM Users Network on CompuServe, which at the time was like a big bulletin board. But CompuServe grew and expanded and as it did Don’s role in the IBM area grew as well. He created an entire system of file areas for shareware authors. Places where programs could be uploaded by authors and then downloaded by users. He also had a section of public forums where authors and users could talk about topics of interest. Always looking to help, he even gave out private forums to shareware authors for their own use. Don ran the IBM area on CompuServe with efficiency, understanding, and compassion. He was always there to lend a hand in any way he could and over the years he’s helped many a shareware author with his sage advice. He also created PCNet-Online which provides software reviews and other valuable content for online visitors. Today, he’s also the manager of content and development on Simtel. Don is lifetime member of the ASP; a founding member of the US Internet Industry Association, and in 1994 he was awarded the Dvorak PC Telecommunications Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1997 he was also inducted in the SIAF Shareware Hall of Fame. Over the years Don has helped countless authors with his helpful ways and sound advice. As one of the true pioneers of the shareware industry, the SIAF board of directors is proud to award the Shareware Industry Award for Lifetime Achievement to Don Watkins.

2002 Lifetime Achievement Inductees

Paul Mayer

Paul has been a part of the shareware industry since it started and he worked with computers even before that. He built his first personal computer in 1976, and wrote his first shareware program in 1981. That's the same year Andrew Fluegelman wrote PC-Talk. As a president of the ASP, Paul helped to move the organization in new and positive directions. Paul has also been successful as a software author. Some of Paul's programs include ZPAY Payroll, The Virus Checking Assistant, PayWindow Payroll, Cache Banish Pro, GRAB, and more. In fact, GRAB was the very first memory resident envelope addressing software. In 1993, Paul became the Forum Manager of the Microsoft Network Online Shareware Forum where he created a forum all shareware authors could be proud of. He remained with MSN until they closed down the forum in 2001. He also created and maintains his database-driven Web site, Paul's Picks, where software authors can submit their products. He currently holds the position of Vice President, Software Development for InfiniSource/Rose City Software where he helps shareware developers improve their products and market them through various internet channels. He was inducted into the Shareware Hall of Fame in 1997 and into the ASP Hall of Fame in 2000. Over the years Paul has helped countless authors with his helpful ways and sound advice. As one of the true pioneers of the shareware industry, the SIAF board of directors is proud to award the Shareware Industry Award for Lifetime Achievement to Paul Mayer.

Scott Swedorski

Scott is the Editor-in-Chief and founder of Tucows. In 1993, Scott was working for the local library system and noticed there was an increasing interest in being "online" and visiting the World Wide Web. At that time there wasn't much information available about how to get on the Internet, how to use a browser, and the like. And Scott felt there was a real need for public access to Internet-related software. So, working out of his house, Scott created TUCOWS as a way to provide the public with free and easily downloadable software. And, as the Internet caught on, Tucows grew. Over the years, Scott has personally worked with shareware authors to get attention for their products. He has been active in the computer industry in general, and in the shareware industry in particular. He has spoken on industry issues like shareware development, Internet advertising, software piracy, and other topics as well. Through his role at Tucows, Scott has always been a strong supporter of shareware authors and the shareware industry. He's always the first to offer to host the People's Choice Awards voting and the first to offer to host a link for the Shareware Industry Awards voter registrations. Scott is one of the pioneers of the Internet generation, just as Tom Jennings was one for the BBS generation. For all these reasons, and more, the SIAF board of directors is proud to award the Shareware Industry Award for Lifetime Achievement to Scott Swedorski.

2001 Lifetime Achievement Inductees

Rosemary K. West

Rosemary has done just about everything there is to do in the shareware community. She is one of the most prolific authors ever, with over 60 programs to her credit. Working for FormGen, she was the first "author liaison" and worked with authors to get their products in rack packs. She became involved in the computer gaming industry and even went to Washington to speak with senators about game ratings. As head of the Educational Software Cooperative she moved the group in new directions and kept it viable. She's also the ESC Webmaster. On her own Web site, she not only provides software, but information on women's issues, and much more. She has helped countless authors with her advice and counsel. Above all she has always been a voice of reason and dignity in the shareware industry. The SIAF board of directors is proud to award the Shareware Industry Award for Lifetime Achievement to Rosemary K. West.

Preston Gralla

Preston was one of the first magazine writers to really get interested in shareware and shareware programs. While most writers at magazines like PC Computing and PC Magazine were writing about regular "commercial" software, Preston would like to write about interesting shareware programs. He would champion really excellent shareware products in his articles, and would even point out how they surpassed their commercial competitors. By doing this he got other writers interested in shareware. His personal interest and attention helped to give shareware programs a boost. His articles helped end users as well - making them aware of good products. Preston's book, "The PC Computing Guide to Shareware" further helped to put the term "shareware" before the public, making users aware of what it was and what was available. In his role on ZDNet, he continued to call attention to shareware with his "Preston's Pick's". He has helped countless authors with his advice, his reviews, his honesty, and his integrity. The SIAF board of directors is proud to award the Shareware Industry Award for Lifetime Achievement to Preston Gralla.

2000 Lifetime Achievement Inductees

Phillip W. Katz

Phil was born on November 3, 1962, and passed away on April 14, 2000. He was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, in the Computer Science Engineering Program. He founded PKWARE Inc. in 1986, and was the author of the PKZIP and PKUNZIP programs. Phil's contributions to the shareware industry were many, including work with Bulletin Board Systems, and computer user groups and support forums. His decision to dedicate the .ZIP extension and file format specification to the public domain, helped the .ZIP file format become a world-wide and open standard for all to use and improve upon over the years.

Everyone in the computer and software industries has been touched, in one way or another, by the work of Phil Katz. The Shareware Industry Awards Foundation would like it to be known that Phil was selected for this award prior to his untimely death, and with that in mind, this Lifetime Achievement Award is given, not to commemorate his death, but to celebrate and honor, his life.

1997 Lifetime Achievement Inductees

Ray Kallis

Ray Kaliss founded the Shareware Distribution Network, or SDN, in 1989. SDN was the first truly organized distribution service for shareware authors to hobby and commercial networks. Now doing private distribution as SDN International and a member of the Shareware Author indeX team (SAX) that archives and distributes information about shareware programs. Through his hard work, dedication, and generosity, Ray Kaliss helped many early shareware authors.

Jim Green

Jim Green was the head of Shareware Testing Labs and helped many shareware authors with their products. Jim was always available to give sound advice or a helping hand to anyone who needed it. He came to all of the early SIC's and was often a speaker. Jim Green was able to help many shareware authors with his kindness and generosity. Jim passed away in 1997 from melanoma. He is truly missed.

1996 Lifetime Achievement Inductees

Randy MacLean

Randy MacLean founded FormGen, a shareware company, in 1987 along with Jim Perkins. Randy was active in the early days of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). He was also one of the co-founders of the Shareware Industry Awards Foundation.(SIAF) He was one of the early companies to enter "rack vending". The rack vending product lines Titanium Seal and Gold Medallion did very well and placed numerous shareware titles in stores like Radio Shack and Wal-Mart. Randy also worked with Apogee, publishing their games and the entire operation was purchased by GT International in 1996. Randy left the world of shareware to pursue other interests.

Dorinda MacLean

Dorinda MacLean was the wife of Randy MacLean, but so much more as well. Dorinda was an integral part of the operations of FormGen and the entire rack vending empire. Dorinda had a keen business sense and never missed a detail. While Randy was more visible, many in the industry felt that Dorinda was key to the success of FormGen. Dorinda also left the shareware scene in 1996.

1995 Lifetime Achievement Inductees

Scott Miller

Scott Miller founded Apogee in 1987. At that time Apogee published primarily ASCII text games. In 1990 Scott began to focus on Apogee full-time. One of the first things he did was recruit several key developers including the guys at id Software and Todd Replogle who wrote the first three Duke Nukem games. The association with id Software was beneficial to everyone, and when id moved on Scott became involved with 3D-Realms. 3D-Realms has created a number of games, but it best known for Duke Nukem and Max Payne. 3D Realms is one of the world's most successful fully independent PC game developers. Scott has been a continuing force in the gaming industry and has helped to take games where they've never been before.

1994 Lifetime Achievement Inductees

Bob Ostrander

Bob Ostrander founded Public Brand Software (PBS) in 1985. PBS was the largest disk vendor at the time, and sold shareware disks at shows and through direct catalog mailings. It was sold to Ziff Davis Interactive in 1991, becoming the basis of ZiffNet on Compuserve and Prodigy and on ZD Net's web site. Bob was a co-founder of the Shareware Industry Awards Foundation (SIAF) and hosted the very first Summer Shareware Seminar in Indianapolis.

Bob was active in the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP) and served not only as a board member, but also as ASP president in the early 1990's. In recent years Bob has been involved in a number of different projects including design of golfing Web sites, as well as IndianaBeer.

1993 Lifetime Achievement Inductees

Michael Callahan

Michael E. Callahan is known around the world by the trademarked name Dr. File Finder. He is an active member of the shareware community and a co-founder of the Shareware Industry Awards Foundation. He is also regarded as the world's leading expert on shareware. Since 1982 he has evaluated over 230,000 software and hardware products and has personally helped countless shareware authors. "Doc" is an honorary member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP), the President of the Educational Software Cooperative, and the chairman of the Shareware Industry Awards Foundation. He has also been inducted into the ASP Hall of Fame. Mike began evaluating software online in 1982 and no one has been at it longer.

He created the Shareware Industry Awards in 1992 and the People's Choice Awards in 1994. Over the years the awards have grown so that there are now participants in 87 countries around the world. Dr. File Finder still evaluates over 200 software programs each week for free. As a member of the shareware community since it started in 1982 he has always been willing to share his knowledge and experience with others. Over the years "Doc" has helped countless authors with his intuitive insights, helpful nature, sound advice, and honesty. He takes pleasure in helping others and he has helped many! He currently works doing online PR and marketing for software companies, and is the Manager of Editorial Content on Tucows.

1992 Lifetime Achievement Inductees

Bob Wallace

Bob Wallace was a true pioneer in the software community and was also ninth employee at Microsoft. He joined a circle of Washington enthusiasts who early on realized the potential of "microcomputers" that brought the power of computers to the masses. He left Microsoft and started his own company, "QuickSoft" which created the early word processing program, PC Write. Bob was also the person to coin the word "shareware" to describe the marketing method where users could try software before they paid for it. Bob Wallace was an innovator, but above all else he was a gentleman and a man of his word. He died suddenly and unexpectedly at age 53 in 2002 from a case of undiagnosed pneumonia. It is truly a loss for everyone, but the many gifts he gave remain.