I also wanted input on what I've come up with for a distribution method, both to make it worth people's while to purchase these things, but also to give a look back at what subscribing to a shareware distro was like. I contemplated having a subscription service, but I'm absolutely sure that I would get overwhelmed, even with 3-4 subscribers.
Format!
3.5 floppy regular editions on mixed-type floppies. If the software fits on a Single-sided Single-density disk, I will try my hardest to source that type of disk for compatibility's sake.
5.25 Floppy limited editions, using a similar approach regarding disk type to keep compatibility.
Editions!
I'd like to do bundles of 3 games that fit a theme. The first one, for example, will be based on Softdisk Shareware and freeware titles (Carmack and Romero games). Disk 1 will be free but included with the bundle and will contain Catacomb and Dangerous Dave. Disk 2 will have the shareware edition of The Catacomb Abyss. Disk 3 will have the shareware episode of Rescue Rover. About half of the disks I will be authoring and checking will go in these compilations, and the remaining half will be available for purchase individually (barring any restrictions on sale VS free, etc).
I'd like these special editions to be in 3-fold card stock slipcases with a printed cover and a foldout talking about the games included, system requirements, etc.
Packaging!
More about the 3-fold card stock slipcase - Due to the fact that these must be ordered in quantities far greater than one edition would require, these will have to be generic, but will include an era-correct logo for my shareware company, some information about the project, minimal links, and a generally non-intrusive and clean design. I have 2 types I have my eye on, one that will fit the 5.25 floppies perfectly, and another that will fit the 3.5 floppies pretty well.
Art!
Floppies will have full-color printed labels. The look I want to go for is the game's own logo from the title screen on the left, basic instructions ("type RUN") for good old times' sake, and logo/info. Another feature of these disks will be a checkbox that will be hand-checked after testing is completed on that disk.
Extras?
I'd like to have a folder included on each disk with information about the releases on the disk, the historical importance of these particular games, old reviews of the games, whatever text I can find that is pertinent.
Frequency! Numbers!
Because I'm not sure the level of work that will go into doing this, the first run will be a trial and I aim to do two 3-disk releases per year, while having enough back stock to have a web store open year-round. First run will probably be 15-20 3.5 editions of the Softdisk Shareware Collection (or whatever I'll call it) and 5-7 5.25 editions. Cost is a tough one, and will have to be worked out once total cost of the runs is calculated.
Very interested in feedback on any of these things.
Really looking forward to making these, even if nobody buys them... Although I'd hope that it fulfills more than a few peoples' nostalgic need to have physical DOS games again without spending horrendously large prices for moldy shareware disks.