--------------------------------------------------------------- INSTALLING AND USING THE MAILING LIST DATABASE --------------------------------------------------------------- Please read this ENTIRE file prior to using the database mailing list. The database file supplied with this package (DATA.EXE) is updated FREQUENTLY by the author. Register to receive the LATEST disk prior to beginning your mailing campaign. Addresses and phone numbers change rapidly! You can thus avoid a large number of returned envelopes and out of date information! The mailing list data is stored in a compressed, self-extracting file produced by the software program LHA written by Haruyasu Yoshizaki. The file contained on this disk, DATA.EXE, will unpack to produce a dBase III format file for importing into your database package or use with a mailing label program. For those wishing the mailing list information in other formats such as ASCII, Paradox, Lotus or other format, refer to the information on alternate file formats at the end of this chapter. Unpacking directions to produce the dBase III data file follow: Copy the file DATA.EXE to a disk drive and execute the following command: DATA This produces dBase III format file: DATA.DBF You should have a database product to use the dBase III format file which can be loaded into products such as dBase, PC-File, Wampum, Rbase, Reflex and other popular database packages which import a dBase III file. If you do not use or understand database software, I can make available small, simple packages which allow you to use the data with Wordperfect (tm), or popup the data for editing and printing. See the catalog of shareware software elsewhere in this product - "catalog of products for marketing." The file has "live data" already inserted and ready for you to import into your database. The data consists of lists of individuals, businesses and groups who use computers and buy software. ---------------------------------------------------------------- DESIGN AND LAYOUT OF DATA LIST ---------------------------------------------------------------- Next follows the layout template of the database file containing field order, field widths, field names and types. This may change with future editions of this package. Field name Type Field length ------------ ----------- ----------- LASTNAME Text 25 FIRSTNAME Text 19 COMPANY Text 41 ADDRESS1 Text 38 ADDRESS2 Text 23 CITY Text 30 STATE Text 25 ZIP Text 10 USA Text 10 Most of the field names are obvious. The "USA" field refers to the possibility of foreign addresses in the data list. For USA addresses the field will display "Y" (meaning yes, USA address for a specific record). For foreign addresses the field will display "N" (meaning NO, the specific record is not a USA address). This should assist those wishing to exclude foreign addresses for postal purposes. -------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT UNDELIVERABLE ADDRESS REFUNDS --------------------------------------------------------------- I frequently remove and update undeliverable addresses from the mailing list database. One way I do this ON A RANDOM SPOT CHECK BASIS is to reimburse product users for mail which is returned as undeliverable. This helps keep the database addresses correct and reimburses registered users for wasted postage. Here is how it works. When I receive your registration form, registration fee and the special claim form which is attached to the main registration form (see file ORDER.FRM), I will make a decision ON A RANDOM SPOT CHECK BASIS whether to validate your claim form and return it to you (you remain a registered user, of course.) In other words, Seattle Scientific Photography, and the author of this software, MAY OR MAY NOT, AT OUR EXCLUSIVE OPTION validate the claim form and return it to you. The reason why I do not validate every claim form is that I need only SPOT CHECKS of mailing list accuracy, NOT mailing address corrections from EVERY user of the mailing list database. TERMS: If you mail Seattle Scientific Photography the ORIGINAL envelope face(s) with attached mailing label and US postal "address undeliverable" stamp for any undeliverable envelopes returned to you whose original destination address was derived from this package, I will pay to you 29 cents per undeliverable item. I only do this with a few registered users on a random spot check basis. This offer is valid for only 90 days from validation date I will stamp on the claim form. The claim form must accompany request for reimbursement. The original claim form must be returned with undeliverable proofs (faces of envelopes or disk mailers.) Limited only to paid/registered users. The form must have OFFICIAL VALIDATION and date and be returned with your claim for reimbursement. Limit of one claim per user per year. -------------------------------------------------------------- TEST MAILING THE LIST - FREE REGISTRATION OFFER --------------------------------------------------------------- I am always interested in maintaining an accurate address list and purging the undeliverable addresses. If you might want to test mail the entire list in exchange for a free registered edition of this package (including bonus disk which you will also be required to test mail for your free registration) we may be able to help each other out. Note that I will maintain current decoy addresses in the list and you may not merge the list with other lists. In exchange for the test mailing you are a registered user, but may not resell, rent or merge the list, of course. Drop me a note on your company letterhead. No phone calls, please. Note also that I only need one or two test mailings of the list per month, so obviously I cannot provide this offer to everyone who contacts me. If I respond to your letter within two weeks we may be able to do business. If I do not respond it means that I probably do not need additional test mailings that month. Of course you can still consider submitting a normal registration fee if you still wish to use the list. -------------------------------------------------------------- SWAPPING MAILING LISTS --------------------------------------------------------------- I am also interested in swapping mailing lists if your data is current and reasonably clean. Obviously in this case I purge all decoy addresses from my list and you are expected to do the same. We then each have the right to merge and resell the combined lists. Drop me a note on your company letterhead. If I respond to your letter within two weeks we may be able to do business. If I do not respond it means that I probably do not need additional addresses that month. Your addresses should be computer software users similar to those in my current list. Do not call by telephone regarding this offer - company letterhead preferred. --------------------------------------------------------------- CUSTOM SERVICES - ALTERNATE FILE FORMATS --------------------------------------------------------------- Most folks who use a database should be able to convert the dBase file to other formats, export the file, search for certain record types, print into paper labels ready to use, etc. However some folks need a little extra service and would like the main mailing list file in a different format. Prices for these conversion services follow. Shipping included. Washington residents add 8.2% sales tax. Prices assume 5 1/4 diskettes. Other size diskettes available. You MUST first be a registered user or subscriber to the main program and have paid a registration fee to be eligible for these file conversion services. Also consider some of the simple database products listed in the catalog of products section of this package if you want to use the mailing list and would like to try software products which will let you import a dBase file, sort, search and print mailing labels from the mailing list file in the current dBase III format. Price list for conversion services follows: Basic file conversion: change dBase mailing list format to ASCII file or other format such as Paradox, Lotus, Reflex, etc. $20