2.2.3 Stamps.com Internet Postage (Version 2.2.3) README.TXT Copyright (c) 1998-2001 Stamps.com, Inc. All rights reserved. Stamps.com, and the Stamps.com logo, are trademarks of Stamps.com, Inc. The Stamps.com envelope logo, and Postage From Your Printer are registered trademarks of Stamps.com, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. How to use this document __________________________________________________________________ To view this document in Notepad or WordPad, maximize the Notepad or WordPad window. To print this document from within Notepad or WordPad, choose Print from the File menu. If you use another word processor, select the entire document and format the text in 10-point Courier before printing to ensure proper spacing. Tip: If necessary, choose Word Wrap from the Notepad Edit menu or Wrap To Window from the WordPad View/Options menu to wrap the text within the document window. Contents __________________________________________________________________ This document discusses the following topics: * What's new in 2.2.3? * About Stamps.com Internet Postage * System Requirements * Installing/Uninstalling Stamps.com Internet Postage * Setting up Internet Connection * Registering with Stamps.com * Updating Stamps.com Internet Postage * Purchasing Postage * Printing Postage * Mailing * Contacting Stamps.com What's New in 2.2.3? _________________________________________________________________ We're proud to present the new and improved Stamps.com! See what Version 2.2.3 has to offer: **************Now, Stamps.com helps you do more!************ New! New Postal Rates There are new postal rates for July 2001. On the day the rate changes, it will be a seamless change for you. Improved! Easier Registration The entire registration process has been streamlined so that customers will be able to register a new account much more quickly. Improved! New Dymo Printer Support Customers can now use Dymo 330 and 330 Turbo Thermal label printers to print stamps. and more...... __________________________________________________________________ About Stamps.com Internet Postage __________________________________________________________________ Stamps.com Internet Postage lets you use your PC to print postage directly onto envelopes or labels. Stamps.com prints PC Postage, a new form of postage approved by the United States Postal Service (USPS). Stamps.com postage is real postage; you use it just like a regular stamp or postage meter mark. System requirements _________________________________________________________________ To use Stamps.com Internet Postage you must have: * A personal computer running Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000 or Windows NT 4.0. * 16 MB RAM for Windows 95 and Windows 98. 24 MB RAM for Windows NT / Windows 2000. * A Windows-compatible inkjet, laser printer (or Stamps.com-approved thermal or bubblejet printer) with a resolution of 300-dpi or greater. Stamps.com Internet Postage also supports USPS-approved label printers. * Internet connection: through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) such as Netcom, AT&T WorldNet or EarthLink, or an online service such as America Online. You can also use a direct connection, such as through a corporate LAN, DSL, or cable modem. Note: Stamps.com Internet Postage looks best when your display uses 256 colors (or greater). You can use Stamps.com Internet Postage with a 16-color display, but some graphics may not display correctly. Installing/uninstalling Stamps.com Internet Postage _________________________________________________________________ To install Stamps.com Internet Postage from a CD: 1) Insert the Stamps.com Internet Postage CD in your CD-ROM drive. Installation begins automatically if "autorun" is enabled on your PC. If installation does not begin automatically, double-click My Computer, double-click the CD-ROM drive icon, and then double-click on autorun.exe to start the installation. 2) From the CD-ROM installation window, select Install Stamps.com Internet Postage. 3) Follow the Installation wizard instructions for installing Stamps.com Internet Postage. To install Stamps.com Internet Postage from the Internet: 1) Download the Stamps.com software (from our Web site or the Web site of one of our partners). Be sure to note the location where you are saving the file. 2) Double-click the file to start the installation. The Installation wizard appears. 3) Follow the Installation wizard's instructions for installing Stamps.com Internet Postage. To uninstall Stamps.com Internet Postage: 1) From the Windows Start menu, select Programs > Stamps.com Internet Postage. 2) Select "Uninstall Internet Postage". Setting up an Internet connection _________________________________________________________________ You need an Internet connection to purchase and print postage. For setup purposes, Stamps.com needs to know how you connect to the Internet: * Use my default Windows Internet Settings. Select this option if you connect to the Internet through your company's LAN (local area network), modem, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) or cable modem. Select "OK" and it will automatically launch your Internet connection and you will be connected to the Internet immediately. * Use my AOL Settings. Select this option if you connect to the Internet using AOL. Select "OK" and you will be prompted to launch AOL prior to running Stamps.com Internet Postage. * None. Select this option if you prefer to connect to the Internet on your own. Select "OK" and you will be prompted to launch your Internet connection prior to running Stamps.com Internet Postage. Registering with Stamps.com _________________________________________________________________ You need to register with Stamps.com before you can begin printing postage. The Getting Started wizard helps you register and starts automatically the first time you start Stamps.com Internet Postage. The Getting Started wizard guides you through: * Registering for the Stamps.com service. * Applying for a USPS Postal Evidencing System User Registration. Starting / Exiting Stamps.com Internet Postage _________________________________________________________________ Starting Stamps.com Internet Postage can be achieved by either clicking on the icon on the desktop or using your start menu and selecting 'Programs' then 'Stamps.com Internet Postage' then 'Internet Postage'. Exiting Stamps.com Internet Postage is done simply by clicking on the X in the upper right hand corner of the Stamps.com Internet Postage. Updating Stamps.com Internet Postage _________________________________________________________________ Stamps.com Internet Postage has an "Auto-update" feature that notifies you whenever a software update is available. Auto-update automatically downloads and installs the update through the Internet. Purchasing postage _________________________________________________________________ You must have an available postage balance in your account in order to print. Purchasing Internet Postage is easy: you can buy postage from within Stamps.com Internet Postage or from within supported software. Stamps.com forwards your request to the USPS and then Stamps.com updates your account. Note: The USPS debits your account for the postage you purchase, not Stamps.com. You can view a list of your purchases by selecting the View Reports tab then selecting Purchase History. Printing postage _________________________________________________________________ To begin printing postage, start the Stamps.com software. This establishes a secure Internet connection with Stamps.com. You can print postage from the Stamps.com software or within supported software, such as Microsoft Word. Choose an address from your Stamps.com Address Book (or from other supported address books), click Print Postage, and print the postage. Mailing Stamps.com Internet Postage _________________________________________________________________ The USPS assigns your Stamps.com postage license to a specific Licensing Post Office (LPO). The LPO defines the area in which the postage you print should be sent. For example, if your LPO is "Westlake Village, 91362," drop your mail in any mailbox in the 91362 ZIP Code. Postal regulations do allow you to send a small amount of mail outside of your LPO. So, If you're sending out one or two letters, go ahead and use any mailbox. However, for large mailings you must use a mailbox within your LPO area. If you need to regularly send mail away from your LPO, talk to your local Post Office about applying for Drop Ship Authorization, which allows you use mailboxes away from your LPO. Contacting Stamps.com _________________________________________________________________ Stamps.com provides Customer Support via: * Support on the Web (www.stamps.com/support) * E-mail (support@stamps.com) * After installing the software, you can also reach Customer Support by selecting the Customer Support link from the main screen.