January, 1997.

If you are reading this with "notepad", be sure to select Word Wrap from the Edit menu.

Welcome to Postage $aver v3.5 for Mac!

To find out if this is the latest version, and to get other information about bulk mailing, check out our web site at http://www.scotthochberg.com/postage.html

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FREE BARCODING SOFTWARE FOR REGISTERED USERS - SEE BELOW!!
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FOR POSTAGE $AVER TO RUN, P$RUN.EXE MUST BE IN THE "POSTAGE$" DIRECTORY, AND THERE MUST ALSO BE A "TABLES" DIRECTORY IN THE POSTAGE$ DIRECTORY. All files with the .dat extension are supposed to be in the "Tables" directory.  If they are in the Postage$ directory, or if you tried to run Postage $aver and saw a message saying that the directories were probably not created properly, the files have not been properly unzipped. 

To fix this problem, delete all Postage $aver files except the original .zip file and start over.  Your unzipping software must be set to preserve the file's directory structure. If you are using a DOS version of pkunzip, try setting using the command pkunzip -d when you unzip the file.
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This program has been updated to print barcoded sack and tray labels to postal service specifications, and has been updated to meet the U. S. Postal Service's (USPS) July, 1996 and October, 1996 reclassifications of bulk mail procedures.

(If you are a current user of an older version of Postage $aver, you might want to skip down a few headings to see the changes between this version and the previous versions.) 


WHAT DOES POSTAGE $AVER DO??

Postage $aver helps you prepare your standard class A bulk mail. (Standard class A used to be known as third class.) It does this in several ways.  

First, it reads your mailing list file and prints a detailed, zip code by zip code report telling you exactly what to put in each tray, sack, package and group each time you mail. It also tells you how to label each sack or tray, prints the sack and tray labels with barcodes, and computes all the postage totals and other information you need to fill out your USPS mailing statement.

Postage $aver also creates a sorting file that you can read back into your mailing list so that you can actually sort your addresses in the exact order that you need to package and sack your mail. And, the sorting file includes "endorsement lines" (those annoying lines that say **********5-Digit 77005 at the top of the address block) that you can print on your labels/envelopes so you don't have to use the equally annoying red D stickers.

Postage $aver includes all the sorting and rate information for both regular or nonprofit mail, for non-barcoded or barcoded mail, and for letter-sized or flat-sized mail. Postage $aver calculates USPS entry discounts, so you save additional money.

Postage $aver also checks your mailing list for accuracy.  It automatically rejects and lists any zip codes that are not in proper five-digit or nine-digit form, or which are not on the USPS chart of valid three-digit zip code areas. At the user's option, each zip code will also be checked against its state, and in many cases, its city, to insure accurate addressing. So your mail has a better chance of actually getting where it is supposed to go.  (This is NOT, however, an official CASS certified accuracy check - see information below about certifications.)


WHAT DO I NEED??

You need a mailing list that is kept in a data base file (like Q&A, Filemaker, Works, etc.) rather than a word processing file (like Wordperfect, Word, Write, etc.). And you need to know how to EXPORT, or SAVE AS the file into an ascii file. (Your manual should be able to help you, or drop us a line if this is a problem for you.) If you are using Filemaker Pro, there are simple-to-follow instructions in the HELP file in Postage $aver.  We are developing other application notes like that, so don't hesitate to contact us.


WHAT DOES POSTAGE $AVER NOT DO??

It doesn't print labels.  Your mailing list program will do that. You can either sort your mailing list in zip code order and use Postage $aver's sort report to manually load your mail into sacks (or trays) and packages as it instructs. Or you can create a sorting file with Postage $aver and import the sort order back into your data file. You then use your own mailing list program to sort in the order specified by the sorting file and voila!, your own mailing list program will print your labels or envelopes in exactly the order you need to prepare your mail most efficiently.

WWHAT ABOUT BARCODES??

Mail that is barcoded must be sorted differently than mail that is not barcoded. Postage $aver can sort barcoded mail, but you must upgrade to "Postage $aver Pro" to activate the option for sorting barcoded mail.

To create barcodes on your mail, you need two things:
* a way to calculate what the barcode should say, and
* a barcode printer font to print the barcodes on your labels or envelopes.

Fortunately, you get both when you register your copy of Postage $aver. We are providing a copy of our Secret Barcoder Ring software and a barcode printer font at no extra charge to everyone who registers their copy of Postage $aver, for a limited time.

Secret Barcoder Ring analyzes each address and nine-digit zip code on your data base and creates the correct sequence of digits to form a barcode meeting USPS requirements.  Then, all you do is print that sequence using the barcode font, sort your mailing list with Postage $aver Pro, and you can take advantage of "automation" postage discounts. (Your mail piece must also meet USPS technical requirements for size and shape.)

On July 1, 1997, the USPS expects to require that the labels on sacks and trays of bulk mail also be barcoded. These barcodes are completely different from those that are used on each piece of mail. (It figures.) Never fear, Postage $aver now produces those barcoded labels (assuming you have a printer that can print them with sufficient clarity.)


WHAT ABOUT CASS CERTIFICATION??

Cass certification is a process by which each address in your mailing list is checked for accuracy and matched with its correct zip code. If you are mailing at basic presort rates, you only need to match to five-digit zip codes.  If you are mailing at automation rates, you need accurate nine-digit zip codes. (You can't make a correct barcode with only a five-digit zip code.)

Postage $aver DOES NOT do Cass certification, or produce the Cass certification report. We know of no inexpensive software that does Cass certification.  If you can imagine the data base involved in matching every address in the country to its correct nine-digit zip code, plus the ability to realize that 123 Fourth St. is the same as 123 4th Street, you get some idea of what is involved. 


Fortunately, the USPS will do the first Cass certification for your list free of charge. (Call them at 800-238-3150 to ask about this, or check with your local USPS business service center.) Then, you can maintain your list by looking up each new or changed address in the official zip+4 directory or on the USPS web site (http://www.usps.gov/ncsc/lookups/). 

Or, if you are willing to spend a little money to save a lot of hassle, many commercial mailing houses will Cass certify your list for a small fee.  One that we have used is Lorton Data at 800-347-1574.  (We mention this only for your convenience - we take no responsiblity for any good or bad experience you may have there.) You can send them your list on disk or via modem and turnaround is fairly fast.  For just a bit more, they will cross-check your list against the past three years' history of postal address changes and give you the forwarding addresses. Eliminating bad addresses usually saves more in wasted postage than the service costs.

Postal sorting software like Postage $aver does NOT need to be certified. The USPS has begun a voluntary certification program, called "Pave", for postal sorting software, but a mailer is NOT required to use Pave certified software, and using Pave certified software will not guarantee that your mail will be accepted. Basically, it's just a way for software authors to get their products on a list that is available to all bulk mailers. Problems in the Pave certification process have caused the USPS to revamp the program. We will be submitting Postage $aver to the USPS for Pave certification once their new procedures are in place.


DOES POSTAGE $AVER PRODUCE "STANDARD DOCUMENTATION"??

There is NO documentation requirement for most bulk mailers, other than the normal mailing statement (form 3602) that you get from your bulk mail center. The "standard documentation" mentioned in the USPS "Max-it" publication is ONLY required if you are mixing postal classes within the same mailing, or mixing mail pieces with different weights in the same mailing. Most small mailers do neither, and are therefore NOT required to prepare any special documentation. 

Since Postage $aver cannot sort mixed-class or mixed-weight mailings, there is no need for it to produce "standard documentation." It does, however, provide all the information you need to accurately fill out your form 3602.


I STILL HAVE MORE QUESTIONS. WHAT DO I DO??

Postage $aver includes a HELP system that explains the operation of the program plus a little bit about bulk mailing requirements. It's a fast read, so we suggest you go through the help system before you try to run a file through Postage $aver. You can find the help files by running Postage $aver and then choosing the Help menu.

If you have read the Help file and are still lost, e-mail us at scott@scotthochberg.com.

RUNNING POSTAGE $AVER

To run Postage $aver, double-click P$run.exe or the postage stamp icon. 


TEST FILE PROVIDED:

To make it easy for you to try Postage $aver, we've included a short sample file of zip codes, cities and states.  Double-click the postage stamp icon to start the program. Then select "Sort One List" from the Sort menu. The next screen lets you specify which fields in your data file contain the zip code, city and state. Postage $aver has automatically figured this out for the sample.txt file, so just click OK. Postage $aver will take it from there. 

You can view the contents of the sample.txt file using any word processor, BUT DO NOT SAVE THE SAMPLE.TXT FILE UNLESS YOU "SAVE AS" TEXT ONLY. Saving a file as a standard word processing document, rather than as a text file, will make the file unreadble for Postage $aver.


WHAT IF I HAVE AN OLDER VERSION OF POSTAGE $AVER??

You should delete the entire directory in which it resides. BUT FIRST, you might want to jot down the data on your Settings screens, as you will have to re-enter this information. (Sorry.)  

Also, if your version of Postage $aver is older than 3.0, FIND AND REMOVE THE FILE CALLED "POSTAGE $AVER PREFS" FROM YOUR MAIN C: DIRECTORY. Failure to do so will prevent Postage $aver from operating.  


YOU CAN PRINT BLANK COPIES OF THE POSTAL MAILING STATEMENT (THE FORM YOU TURN IN WITH YOUR BULK MAIL.)

As a convenience to you, we've included Adobe Acrobat (.PDF) files for the current versions of the postal mailing statement (from the USPS web site). If you have an Adobe Acrobat reader, you can print these files.  If not, you can get the Adobe Acrobat reader free from most any BBS, Compuserve, AOL, etc.

Form 3602R and Form 3602N are for regular and nonprofit mailers, respectively, who use permit imprints for their postage. Form 3602PR and 3602PN are for mailers who use precanceled stamps or meters.

These forms are in the "forms" directory. They are not necessary for Postage $aver and can be deleted, along with the directory, if you do not wish to use them.


WHY YOU SHOULD REGISTER YOUR COPY OF POSTAGE $AVER.

We make this copy of Postage $aver available to you for trial use as an inexpensive method of distribution. That lets us keep our costs low, and that in turn lets us keep our price low. If you try Postage $aver and it doesn't meet your needs, then delete it and we'll shake hands and try again when we have another product.  But if you keep it and use it, we need you to register it.

When you register, you receive:
* barcoding software and a barcode printer font at no extra charge;
* updated files for a full year when the USPS changes sorting details or rates;
* free bug fixes for a year as necessary;
* full technical support via e-mail and telephone;
* a clear conscience.

Registration costs only $20!  And it costs only $45 to upgrade to Postage $aver Pro to get access to sorting routines for barcoded and weight-surcharged mail.  There are NO shipping or handling charges if you give us an e-mail address for sending update files.  We will add a $10 shipping and handling charge if you request updates via regular mail.

You can register in the following ways:

1.) If you are a CompuServe member, GO SWREG on Compuserve to register automatically.  Your registration fee will be added to your CompuServe bill. We will be notified of your registration within about 24 hours and will send you your registration number promptly.
Register using CompuServe product number 11946 for Postage $aver Lite, or 11947 for Postage $aver Pro.

2.) To register using VISA, Master Card or Discover, go to our web site at http://www.scotthochberg.com/postage.html
(effective around 2/1/97)

or 

contact: 

Northstar Solutions - FOR CREDIT CARD REGISTRATION ONLY
THIS IS AN ORDER TAKING SERVICE ONLY - SEE BELOW FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE

via e-mail: 71561,2751@compuserve.com or starmail@aol.com
via fax: 803-699-5465
via phone: 800-699-6395
via regular mail: Box 25262, Columbia, SC  29224

Specify Postage $aver Lite or Postage $aver Pro, Mac or Windows.

There is a registration form in the help file that you can print for fax or mail orders.


3.) To register by check, send it directly to us at:
L. Scott Hochberg Consulting Services
7505 Brompton
Houston, TX  77025-2266

Your check should be in the amount of $20 for Postage $aver List or $45 for Postage $aver Pro.
If you do not have an e-mail address and we must send you updates by mail, we must add $10 for postage and handling.
(Texas residents add 8.25% sales tax to the total amount).


HOW TO CONTACT US:

For technical questions, customer service, or other support, e-mail us at:
scott@scotthochberg.com

phone: 713-669-9919

mail: 7505 Brompton, Houston, TX  77025-2266

Thanks for your interest.

Scott Hochberg


VERSION NOTES

v3.0.1 to v3.5.2

Added a print cancel dialog.
Added barcoding to sack/tray labels.
Added ability to reprint a report.
Added ability to separately print sack/tray labels.
Eliminated special nonprofit sorting options, per USPS requirements.
Added capability to read comma-separated files that are not quote-delimited.
Clarified some menu labels.
Fixed a bug that caused a bad zip code in the first address record only to not be rejected.
Changed third line of sack/tray labels to be consistent with USPS requirements.
Fixed a bug that deleted three-digit "short" package from piece counts.
Added capability to look up five-digit city name for sack/tray label.
Added option to delete rejects report.
Automatically remove trailing blanks from input city name to reduce "false questionables".
Corrected a printing problem in the Help system.

v3.0 to v3.0.1

Corrected erroneous ADC endorsement lines in sorting file.
The sorting lists were updated with new information released 8/1/96.


There are a whole bunch of trademarks in this readme text, including Filemaker Pro, Q&A, Adobe, Acrobat, Mac, Windows, Compuserve, AOL and Postage $aver.