Contents

Overview

Operation

Credits and History

Registration


Mailing List Window

The Mailing list window allows you to set up different lists, containing  multiple address files to make printing large amounts of envelopes easy.   The controls in the mailing list window are fairly straight forward.

Add

Opens up the 'Open' window for you to select an address to add to your  mailing list.  You build your mailing list by adding any number of  addresses.  Once you select the address it will be displayed in the  mailing list box as the file name.

Remove

Allows you to remove addresses from the current mailing list you are  working on.  After you remove an address file name from the list, you  will have to add it back if you make a mistake, as PostMaster will not  prompt you before removing it.

Open

Brings up the open dialog box for you to select a Mailing List file  to begin working with.  Mailing list files will have the extension '.LST'.   Once you select a Mailing List file to work with PostMaster will open it  and you will see all the address filenames in the Mailing List box.

Save

Allows you to save a Mailing list after you have built it, or made changes  to an already saved mailing list.  Be careful as PostMaster will not prompt  you that your list has changed.

Labels

This button Prints your list onto labels instead of envelopes.  The  mailing label choices are given in a pop-up menu that you choose the  style label you want to print on.  For more information click on the words  mailing label.

Print

This button will begin printing of your envelopes.  An envelope will  be printed for all the addresses you have in your mailing list.  PostMaster  will take the return address and font information as well as any message you  have in the message box, from the main PostMaster window.  The return address  is displayed in the Mailing List window only as a convenience, and cannot be  altered from the Mailing List window.

Close

This will close the Mailing List window.  If you made changes to your mailing list  PostMaster will prompt you to save the changes before closing the mailing list  Window.


Credits and History

This really cool, totally rad program was written by Mark Jesiel. It was designed as a quick simple envelope printing program for windows.  After some help from a friend, it grew to what it is now.  Future editions will include even more features, that will make it even more  useful.  We must include credit to George Toft who helped in some  aspects of the developement.

Additions to version 1.4

Added Graphic Logo printing capability.

Added automatic printing of USPS Postnet Barcodes.

Added address label printing option in Mailing List Window

Can now shift back to main Window from the Mailing List window to change  return address or fonts.

PostMaster now prompts to save changes to mailing list before exiting Mailing List  Window.


friend
What is a friend?

Someone who keeps telling you your program isn't good enough.


George Toft

The man We pulled from the dark depths of DOS Programming, to the light of Windows.


Who is Mark Jesiel?
Mark Jesiel

Thats me!!  The Programmer of this cool utility!


Overview

What is PostMaster v1.4?

PostMaster is a simple, really cool envelope addressing program.  You really need it if you print alot of envelopes on your computer.  PostMaster supports Business size (default), Personal size, and has an option  for custom size envelopes.  You can have postmaster run in the  background and shift to it to print an envelope.  It is fast and simple, with  very few commands to use, all the buttons are readily available for quick  access.

PostMaster v1.4 allows you not only to print envelopes on at a time, with  or without Postnet Barcodes, but it allows you to print groups  of envelopes with the Mailing List feature.  Build a list or lists of addresses  that you commonly send letters to, (such as christmas cards, club mailings,  business contacts, etc..), and save that list.  Then you can print the entire  list full of envelopes with the click of a button.

Want to print a Logo on your envelope?  No problem!  PostMaster allows you  to print a graphic in the upper left corner as your personal/company Logo.  Logos  can be fun and visually powerful.  Nothing will get your mail noticed faster  than a sharp logo.  PostMaster even will print the logo on all the  envelopes you are printing from the Mailing list window.

PostMaster now also allows you to print your Mailing lists onto address labels  with the same ease as envelopes.  Just select the style label you want, four  popular style of Avery labels are supported, and PostMaster will print your  mailing list onto the address labels instead of envelopes.  This works  equally well for both Laser Printer Users, and Dot Matrix Printer users.  If you  use a Dot Matrix Printer, just set your printer up for single sheet feed, and  go for it.  The single sheet labels are more economical than tractor feed labels  and give you much greater variety of choices.  Look for more label styles  supported in the future.  If you have a particular label size that you commonly  print to that is not in PostMasters label list, contact me, and I'll be happy  to add it to PostMasters support.


custom
Custom size envelopes.

Envelopes come in many different sizes.  Like all those cards you buy for your  special someone.  PostMaster is the first utility to allow you to print to a  custom size envelope just by telling it the height and width of the envelope.  PostMaster will do the calculations to place the addresses in the proper  place on the envelope.  The custom size you enter will also be saved for future use by PostMaster.  The next time you run PostMaster, it will start up with the exact envelope configuration you had last time you used it.  Even the custom size you last entered.


Operation

To run PostMaster, double click on the PostMaster icon in Program Manager.  If you haven't set up an icon for PostMaster in Program Manager, see the  Windows user guide for how to do that.  If you installed PostMaster using  the included setup program, than setup already made a program manager group  and Icon for PostMaster.

The PostMaster window has several buttons which control the program.

Select one of the following items to learn more:

Return Address

Business Button

Personal Button

Custom Button

Open Button

Save Button

Help Button

About Button

Print

Clear & Paste

Options

Mailing List Window

Label Printing

Postnet Barcode Printing

Printing a Logo

Quit


Return Address

Your last used return address is automatically loaded into  the return address box in the envelope upon startup.  To change this  just click in the return address box and type in your  new return address.  Or click on the Options button and select open  return address.  This will open a dialog box exactly like the Open dialog  for the main address.  You may choose any address you have on file for your  new return address.  As with the address Open dialog, whichever address file  you have selected, postmaster will display the address in a window for you  so you do not have to remember all those short DOS filenames.   The address that is displayed in the open dialog is the address that will be  placed in the return address window when you press 'OK'.


Business Button

Sets up PostMaster to print on a standard size 4 1/8" by 9 1/2" envelope.  This size is commonly referred to as a 'Business' envelope.  For laser  printers, you should feed the envelope into the printer centered, and with  the right edge as the leading edge.  For dot matrix printers, butt the  envelope up to the upper left corner of the carriage.


Personal Button

Sets up PostMaster to print on a standard size 3 5/8" by 6 1/2" envelope.  This We refer to as a Personal size envelope.  For laser printers, center the  envelope with the right edge as the leading edge.  For dot matrix printers  butt the envelope to the upper left corner of the carraige.


Custom Button

Lets you enter the size for a custom envelope.  You must enter the  dimensions in inches.  Do not enter an identifier, just the numeric  value (ie. 5.5).  This allows you to print on those odd size envelopes that  come with all those cards you buy for that special someone.  If you enter  either number as a 0 or leave it blank PostMaster will ignore the whole  thing and not change the current settings.  Some trial and error may be  required to get 'perfect' results.

Note

If you are using the 'Print Postnet Barcodes' feature of  PostMaster it is essential that you enter the EXACT dimensions of the  envelope you will be printing on.


Open Button

Opens a file which is a saved Address.  These files will have the  .env extension.  This will allow you to print envelopes out  rapidly without having to enter addresses over and over.  The currently  selected address will be displayed in a window below the 'OK' and 'Cancel'  buttons.  Which ever address is in the window, that is the address that  will be placed in the address box on the envelope when you press 'OK'.  You may also 'Double-click'the address file name in the file box and that  will do the same as clicking the 'OK' button.  This is a very helpful feature that is unique to PostMaster.  This prevents you from having to remember all those short 8 letter DOS filenames.  As long as the address you want is in the window, you're set.  Press 'OK' and it'll be copied to the address workspace in the main PostMaster window.


DOS

That archaic character based operating system based on the old PC's of yore.   Unfortunately, Windows relies on DOS for file access. Normal DOS filenames  are limited to eight characters, plus a three character extension.  This  severely limits your choices once you start accumulating many '.ENV' files,  in so much as coming up with descriptive eight character names.


.env definition
.env

The extension for envelope files used by PostMaster.  When you 'Open' an  address file, only the files with '.ENV' extensions will be displayed.


Save Button

Lets you save an Address to disk for future use.  This keeps you from  having to retype or remember an address.  This automatically will save the  address with the extension '.ENV' so you don't have to type the extension.

Note!

Currently, PostMaster will only prompt you before overwriting an existing  file if you include the extension.  So to ensure maximum safety and  prevent from overwriting files, add the .ENV extension yourself.


Help Button

Brings on-line Help for PostMaster.


About Button

Brings up the 'About' screen. This gives me credit, and lets you  know what version you are using.  For those of you who are peekers and pokers  there is a hidden message in the About box.  In fact there is a hidden  message in the main PostMaster window as well.


Quit
Quit Button

This button will quit postmaster without having to choose close from the  control box in the upper left corner.  Alternate way to quit is to use the  universal windows close key combination 'ALT-F4'.  When you quit PostMaster  the configuration you have, for printer setup, envelope configuration, and  addresses, will be saved, and PostMaster will start up next time with the  exact same configuration.  This even includes the custom envelope sttings.


Registration
Registration.

PostMaster v1.4 is considered Shareware. With shareware, you as the user are  given the important opportunity to try before you buy.  You may use PostMaster  on your computer, try it out and see how it fulfills your needs.  We also  encourage you to give copies to friends to try out.  After 30 days  you are obligated to register PostMaster by sending in the small registration  fee.  If you do not desire to register PostMaster, than you are obligated to  remove the software from your computer.  All this is on an honor system, Please  respect the efforts of others. To register PostMaster please leave me E-Mail on  Compuserve, or America On-Line.  Then send in your registration fee to the address below.

Please Make checks payable to Mark Jesiel.  Thank You!!

To register or for further information, you can contact me via Compuserve mail at address: 71554,3102, or America On-Line at Address: TropSoft

Tropical Software

3137 Nautilus Court

Orlando, FL 32827

Thanks for trying PostMaster v1.4


Giving copies of PostMaster to friends

You may freely distribute PostMaster to friends and associates.  In fact we  encourage it. The only requirement is that PostMaster must be distributed  with all associated files.


Printing
Printing with PostMaster

When you click the print button in the main postmaster window, your envelope will be printed to the default printer.  If you are using a Laser Printer, and have chosen that under the printer setup option, then PostMaster will automatically shift your laser printer to landscape mode to print the envelope and then back to portrait mode when it is done printing.  To change the printer  type select "printer setup" from the options button.  You may then choose whichever printer you will be using, and PostMaster will always remember your printer type selection for next time you use PostMaster.

Note

Prior to printing your first envelope, select "PrinterSetup" from the options button, and choose the type of printer you will be using with PostMaster.  The default is to use Laser printer, with a Center feed position.

Laser Printers

When using a laser printer, follow these simple steps:

1.  Insert envelopes using manual feed.  You set the position, either left  center, or right using Printer Setup from the options menu.

2.  Print.

Dot Matrix Printers

When using a Dot Matrix Printer, follow these simple steps:

1.  Insert the envelope into the printer butted up to the upper left  edge of the carraige.

2.  Print, selecting Dot Matrix from the option box.

Note: When you print your first envelope, use a normal sheet of paper  for the first attempt.  As all Dot Matrix printers are slightly different  you may need to make slight adjustments to get perfect results.


Clear & Paste

The Clear and Paste buttons provided with the address and return address  windows, provide a couple useful functions.

The Clear button will clear the current address in its associated window.   The Paste button will paste an address you have copied to the clipboard  from another application, (say, Word Processor), to its associated  address window.


Options
Options Button

The Options button provides for five important, yet seldom used functions.

Change return address font.

This allows you to change the font the return address is displayed and  printed in.  We are limiting the display size to 14 point, so as to fit  the whole address in the window.  Also, you can't display a printer  font on the screen, so postmaster will not change the displayed font  if you choose a printer font, yet the printed output will reflect  the change.

Change address font.

This does the same for the address window as changing the return  address font does for the return address.

Change message box font

To change the font of the message box in the lower left corner of the  main PostMaster Window.

Open return address.

This option allows you to open a new file for use as the return  address.  You may use the same .env files as for addresses, so your  selection of return addresses is unlimited.

Save return address.

This option allows you to save a current return address to  disk for future use, either as a return address or main address.  Please note:  postmaster will only prompt you before writing over an existing file  if you add the extension .ENV yourself.

Print Postnet Barcodes.

This option turns Postnet Barcoding on and off.

Printer setup.

This option brings up a dialog box that allows you to set up PostMaster for use with either a Laser or Dot Matrix printer.  You only need to set this option once, and PostMaster will remember your Printer setup the next time you run PostMaster.

If you set PostMaster up for Laser, you will also have to make a choice for feed position.  The selections are Left, Center, or Right feed.  The  default is Center feed.  The choice you make will be stored, and used  next time you run PostMaster, so you only need to setup your Printer  options one time.

Print Logo.

This option turns Logo printing on and off.  It will be checked  if Logo printing is on, and unchecked if Logo printing is off.  This  selection will automatically be checked if you double click the Logo  box to select a Logo.  If you Uncheck it to turn Logo printing off  your Logo will be cleared from the Logo box.  Then if you select it  again to check it and turn it on, the last used Logo will automatically  be loaded into the Logo box, ready to print.

Mailing List.

This selection opens up the Mailing List window.  In the mailing list  window you can set up lists of addresses you commonly send letters to.  This will speed up your envelope printing by then allowing you to print  a whole group of envelopes with the click of a button.  Of course  envelopes printed from the mailing list window will support the  Postnet Barcode feature.  You can also print your lists  onto mailing labels instead of envelopes if you so desire.

Register!

It allows you to register  PostMaster by entering the registration number you get from us at  Tropical Software.  Entering the registration number will change the  program to a registered version.  It will disable the shareware  messages.  You may  register this Software by contacting us via Compuserve,   America On-Line, or U.S. Mail  and send in $10.00 for full registration.  We will send you your own  personal registration number via E-Mail or U.S. Mail, whichever  is fastest. As a side note.  For all registered users of PostMaster  v1.4, We will send them registered copies of the next future upgrade  to PostMaster free of charge.

Please make checks payable to Mark Jesiel.  Thank You!

U.S. Mail:  Tropical Software

3137 Nautilus Court

Orlando, FL 32827

Compuserve:  71554,3102

America On-Line:  TropSoft


Postnet Barcode Printing
What is a Postnet Barcode??

A Postnet Barcode is placed in the lower right edge of the envelope and aids  in high speed sorting of mail.  As the letters pass through a high speed  optical reader, if it has a barcode pre-printed, it gets automatically routed  to the correct Post Office.  Much faster than sorting by hand.

PostMaster v1.4 prints Postnet barcodes for 5 and 9 digit zipcodes that  have been verified by the U.S. Post Office to meet requirements for Postnet  Barcodes.  Although the U.S. Post Office does not endorse PostMaster or any  other computer software, PostMaster meets the standards for Postnet Barcode  printing on envelopes.

Important Notes about Postnet Barcoding

You've made your envelopes look 'Pretty' up to this point.  Now let the US  Postal Service work for you.  With all the horror stories about lost mail  and mail that takes weeks to arrive, we need a way to speed up our mail  delivery.  Thats exactly what printing your envelopes with USPS Postnet  Barcodes will do.  The US Post Office scans it's mail with Barcode reader  machines, and any envelopes preprinted with Postnet Barcodes will go that  much faster.  In many cases the business person who prints Postnet Barcodes  on his Bulk mailings will recieve lower rates for his effort.  PostMaster  makes this effort free.  PostMaster v1.4 will automatically read the zip  code from the address and convert it to Postnet Barcode form, and place it  in the exact position required by the US Post Office.  Placement of the  barcode is essential.  For this reason, if you plan to use the barcode feature  and use the Custom size envelope feature, it is very imperative  that you enter the EXACT dimensions of the envelope that you will be  printing on.  Otherwise the Barcode will not be in the proper position  and that is as bad as not having on at all, maybe worse.

One last word about PostNet Barcodes.  PostMaster looks for the zip code in  last 14 characters of the address.  It is important to ensure that your  zip codes are at the end of the last line.  Any other information you  want to place in the address block (ATTN:.., Company Name, etc...) should  go at the top of the address, or in the message box.  If PostMaster can not  find the zipcode where it is supposed to be, it will leave out the Postnet  Barcode.  You will not see it displayed in the PostMaster window, and it will  not be printed on the envelope.  This is to avoid bigger problems by printing  the wrong Barcode.

Of course, Postnet barcode printing works from the Mailing List window  also.  You will not see the Barcodes displayed, yet they will be properly  printed on every envelope that the Mailing List prints.  Unless  of course PostMaster does not find the zip code in the correct spto, then it will  not print the barcode on that particular envelope.

For more information on Postnet barcodes you can get Publication 25, and  it's accompanying template Notice 67 from your local US Post Office.

Note for Dot Matrix printer users

Since the exact placement of the envelope in a Dot Matrix printer can not be  predicted, you must be careful and print a few trial envelopes.  PostMaster  will properly place the Barcode only if you properly place the envelope in  the printer.  For checking your trial envelopes measure the placement of  the barcode.  The left edge of the barcode should be no more than 4 inches  and no less than 3.75 inches from the right edge of the envelope.  The  bottom of the barcode should be no more than 1/4 inch and no less than 3/16 inch  from the bottom edge.  The top of the barcode should be no more than 7/16 inch  from the bottom edge.  These measurements should help you in properly  placing your envelopes in the printer so as to get properly printed barcodes.


Mailing Labels

PostMaster will print your mailing lists onto mailing labels if you so  desire.  Clicking on the 'Labels' button will give you a Pop-up menu for you  to choose the label style or size you wish to print on.

From this menu, click on the style label you have in your printer, and PostMaster  will start printing your list on that style label.  It is important to note  that as soon as you select the label style, PostMaster starts printing, so have  your label sheet loaded in your printer ready to go, PostMaster doesn't take  long to print.


Printing a Logo

Printing a Logo on your Envelopes

Double click the Logo box to select your logo.  This will automatically check  the Print Logo selection in the 'Options' menu, and allow you to open a Graphic   file for your Logo.  If you wish to turn off the Print Logo feature, click  on the 'Options' button and click the 'Print Logo' selection to uncheck it  and your Logo will be cleared from the Logo box.  To again enable Logo  Printing click the 'Options' button, and click the 'Print Logo' selection  to turn it back on and check the selection, and PostMaster will automatically  open the last Logo file you had used.  Double click the Logo box to change  your Logo selection.

PostMaster will also allow you to print a Logo in the upper left corner of the  envelope next to the return address.  The Logo must be in Bitmap (BMP), Windows    Metafile (WMF), or Icon (ICO) format and the size is very important.   If you are using a Laser printer and wish for  your logo to appear as 1 inch X 1 inch, then draw your logo to a size of  300 X 300 pixels.  This size is independent of whether you are printing at  300 DPI, or 150 DPI.  So your logo may be any size, so long as it fits on  the envelope you are printing it to.  I recommend going no greater than  1 inch wide, but you may go as tall as you like.

If you are using a Dot Matrix Printer, the size is even more  important.  You must size your Logo Picture to be no more than 1 inch wide.  So if  your Dot Matrix printer is printing at 180 X 180 DPI, size your Picture to be no  wider than 180 pixels.  The height may be whatever you desire so long as it  will fit on the envelope.  Remember to multiply the inches you desire by  the resolutuin of your printer.  So at 360 DPI resolution, your logo will have  to be no wider than 360 pixels.  PostMaster will automatically leave you 1 inch  for the logo.  If your logo is greater than 1 inch wide, it will print over  the return address.

PostMaster will automatically shrink your logo to fit into the 1 inch wide   by up to 3 inch tall  logo box in the main PostMaster window.  So your Logo may look distorted  or out of shape if it is not actually square.  Don't let this alarm you  be assured the logo will still print properly, so long as you followed the few simple  rules applicable to the type of Printer you are using.

Logos can be both fun and useful.  Nothing gets Mail noticed faster than a sharp  Logo on the front.  Be creative, but keep in mind very complex graphics may  not print out very well at a small size.  In other words what looks  great on your screen in PaintBrush, may now look so hot printed out as  a 1 inch square.  Experiment, and find what works for you, especially  if you are using a Dot Matrix printer.  Once you have designed your Logo  and are Happy with it, keep it, use it consistently, and it will be  identified with you.  Your mail will automatically be associated with you  at first glance, without reading the return address.  Logos have a great  visual power if used properly.