Maker Pro
Maker Pro

What's it worth?

J

Jim Thompson

Jan 1, 1970
0
I so rarely mail anything I'm confused.

I have a roll of stamps... US Flag, on a tan or gold background, says
USA First-Class, NO denomination.

What's it worth?

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona 85048 Skype: Contacts Only | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

"What would happen to [Obama's] vanity if he didn’t have us to
throw alms to? What would become of his strength if he didn’t have
weaker people to dominate? What would he do with himself if he
didn’t keep us around as dependents? It’s quite alright, really,
I’m not criticizing him, it’s just a law of human nature."

-Ayn Rand, "Atlas Shrugged"
 
J

Jim Thompson

Jan 1, 1970
0
You can probably find it on the post office site but if it's one of
the new variety, I forget just exactly when they started doing this,
they may be 'forever' stamps that are supposed to be good regardless
of the current rate.

You do need to check, though, because they did, from time to time,
issue 'unlabeled' stamps when they didn't know when or what the rate
change was going to be.

Yep. I think it was one of those "I don't know" stamps :-(

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona 85048 Skype: Contacts Only | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

Stormy on the East Coast today... due to Bush's failed policies.
 
J

Jim Thompson

Jan 1, 1970
0
Do you send all your invoices electronically? About half of my clients
prefer mail.

I send ALL my invoices via E-mail in PDF format.

I just did away with receiving faxes via my own phone line, I now use
"pfax".
No idea, the forever stamps would look like this:

http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2007stamps/forever/welcome.htm

Likely you'll need additional postage. If urgent you'd probably be
fairly safe if you put two of those on. Unless they are really, really
old ...

No urgency, I just noticed that I need to mail a payment soon, because
the dorks don't have web pay :-(

How backward can you get ?:)

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona 85048 Skype: Contacts Only | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

Stormy on the East Coast today... due to Bush's failed policies.
 
J

Jim Thompson

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jim's clients prefer cuneiform on clay tablets (Ducking and running).

Well? It _is_ a stable media ;-)

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona 85048 Skype: Contacts Only | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

Stormy on the East Coast today... due to Bush's failed policies.
 
D

Don Klipstein

Jan 1, 1970
0
I so rarely mail anything I'm confused.

I have a roll of stamps... US Flag, on a tan or gold background, says
USA First-Class, NO denomination.

What's it worth?

Does it say "First Class Rate"?

Does it say "Forever"?

Modern-times "First Class" stamps lacking denomination tend to be good
for mailing a 1st class letter that can be mailed with a single regular
stamp with a denomination for the usual rate for a 1-ounce-or-less "First
Class" letter. This definitely true if the stamp says "Forever", "First
Class Rate" or anything else indicating that it alone is good and
sufficient through postal rate increases.

===================================================

There are also stamps denominated by a letter. Those stamps had their
printing set-up started on approach to a postal rate increase, but before
it was decided how much the rate increase would be. Once the new rate for
a "regular" first class letter was decided, the denomination for that
letter was defined.

===============================================

Only stamps with numerical denominations are any good for international
mail. Stamps with "First Class Rate" and "Forever" are only good for
domestic mail. The same may be true of those stamps with letters for
denomination.

- Don Klipstein ([email protected])
 
J

Jim Thompson

Jan 1, 1970
0
Same here but not all clients want it that way.



Web pay?

Yep. I pay almost every one of my accounts via the web... log in,
execute an ACH or a direct debit, print a receipt, and log out.

Mortgage, car payment, electricity, water, telephone (land and cell),
off-site storage facility rent, American Express, etc.
You should come to our neck of the woods, then you'd know ;-)

We just transferred two IRAs. My wife's made it, mine must have fallen
out of the saddle bags and tumbled down a ravine.


...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona 85048 Skype: Contacts Only | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

Stormy on the East Coast today... due to Bush's failed policies.
 
J

Jim Thompson

Jan 1, 1970
0
But that works only with registered accounts, doesn't it? I remember
that from Europe and after moving to the US I first thought I'd been
transferred to the stone age WRT banking. Over there you can ask
anyone's account number, it's safe, even printed right there on the
invoice. Can't remember anyone using checks much.

Not here either. You just haven't tried it.
Ah, packrat syndrome?

Rows of file cabinets... every design I ever did ;-)
American Express, ...


The one from Costco?

No. Business Platinum.
I was thinking about that but wondering whether
Amex is widely accepted. I used to have an Amex card a long time ago but
it was refused several times (they took only Master and Visa).

[...]

I have several minimally-used MC and Visa credit cards, generally
using MC and Visa _debit_ cards if Amex isn't accepted. I like the
Amex for the rebates and discounts at many businesses... like FedEx
for example.

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona 85048 Skype: Contacts Only | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

Seeing Obama voters laid off gives me an orgasmic Schadenfreude
 
J

Jim Thompson

Jan 1, 1970
0
I thought there had been a flag 'forever' stamp but looks like I was
mistaken.

Judging from your 'tan' background description it sounds like a 41
cent stamp.

http://www.knottywood-treasures.com/id39.html
(half way down)

That's it. Thanks!

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona 85048 Skype: Contacts Only | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

Stormy on the East Coast today... due to Bush's failed policies.
 
J

Jim Thompson

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jim said:
Jim Thompson wrote:
[...]
Web pay?
Yep. I pay almost every one of my accounts via the web... log in,
execute an ACH or a direct debit, print a receipt, and log out.

But that works only with registered accounts, doesn't it? I remember
that from Europe and after moving to the US I first thought I'd been
transferred to the stone age WRT banking. Over there you can ask
anyone's account number, it's safe, even printed right there on the
invoice. Can't remember anyone using checks much.

Not here either. You just haven't tried it.

Well, I had asked a few suppliers, propane and stuff, and the answer was
usually "nope".

I've had a number of clients that did direct deposit of invoice
payments... in fact, Motorola insists on it.
Scan it all into PDF and then let them turn the sheets into grocery bags?

Do you want to drop by and scan the contents of SIX 4-drawer HON
cabinets, 47 years worth of drawings ?:)
American Express, ...


The one from Costco?

No. Business Platinum.
I was thinking about that but wondering whether
Amex is widely accepted. I used to have an Amex card a long time ago but
it was refused several times (they took only Master and Visa).

[...]

I have several minimally-used MC and Visa credit cards, generally
using MC and Visa _debit_ cards if Amex isn't accepted. I like the
Amex for the rebates and discounts at many businesses... like FedEx
for example.

That would be the benefit with the Costco Amex card as well. 1.5% for
big ticket stuff I believe.

15% for FedEx !!

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona 85048 Skype: Contacts Only | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

Stormy on the East Coast today... due to Bush's failed policies.
 
J

Jim Thompson

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jim Thompson wrote: [snip]
Do you want to drop by and scan the contents of SIX 4-drawer HON
cabinets, 47 years worth of drawings ?:)

Depends on what you pay me :)

The Brother machine here that you keep picking on has a most wonderful
tool for such jobs: A large sheet feeder.

What's the point of the HON cabinets anyhow? What's going to happen when
you pass away? Grandkids framing the circuitry of your MC-whatever and
marveling at it? "Oh, look, gramps did that, look at those fine artistic
Rubylith lines over there ..." ;-)

They will establish a shrine, somewhat like a Presidential library ;-)

[snip]

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona 85048 Skype: Contacts Only | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

All Hail King Obama, The Resurrected Messiah :-(
 
J

Jim Thompson

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jim said:
Jim Thompson wrote: [snip]

Do you want to drop by and scan the contents of SIX 4-drawer HON
cabinets, 47 years worth of drawings ?:)


Depends on what you pay me :)

The Brother machine here that you keep picking on has a most wonderful
tool for such jobs: A large sheet feeder.

What's the point of the HON cabinets anyhow? What's going to happen when
you pass away? Grandkids framing the circuitry of your MC-whatever and
marveling at it? "Oh, look, gramps did that, look at those fine artistic
Rubylith lines over there ..." ;-)

They will establish a shrine, somewhat like a Presidential library ;-)


Who is going to spring for the box of Crayola?

As many grandchildren as I have, we have one of our bedrooms
designated as "The Playroom", two PC's with restricted network access,
crayons, coloring books, TV, DVD Player, VCR, Lego tables, etc ;-)

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona 85048 Skype: Contacts Only | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

Stormy on the East Coast today... due to Bush's failed policies.
 
J

Jim Thompson

Jan 1, 1970
0
Jim said:
Jim Thompson wrote:
On Tue, 12 May 2009 09:22:47 -0700, Joerg

Jim Thompson wrote:
[snip]
Do you want to drop by and scan the contents of SIX 4-drawer HON
cabinets, 47 years worth of drawings ?:)

Depends on what you pay me :)

The Brother machine here that you keep picking on has a most wonderful
tool for such jobs: A large sheet feeder.

What's the point of the HON cabinets anyhow? What's going to happen when
you pass away? Grandkids framing the circuitry of your MC-whatever and
marveling at it? "Oh, look, gramps did that, look at those fine artistic
Rubylith lines over there ..." ;-)
They will establish a shrine, somewhat like a Presidential library ;-)

Who is going to spring for the box of Crayola?

As many grandchildren as I have, we have one of our bedrooms
designated as "The Playroom", two PC's with restricted network access,

Hmm...


crayons, coloring books, TV, DVD Player, VCR, Lego tables, etc ;-)


Good, good, bad, bad, bad, good.

What? You're the one who's enamored with lame western DVD's ;-)

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona 85048 Skype: Contacts Only | |
| Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

Stormy on the East Coast today... due to Bush's failed policies.
 
N

Nico Coesel

Jan 1, 1970
0
Joerg said:
So do I, some wire the funds. But it doesn't work the other way, paying
vendors and stuff. Some yes but not all. In Europe all can be paid by
electronic transfer, even back in the 90's.

And its getting better all the time. I went on a short holiday to
Germany. I could use my debit card in almost every shop and
restaurant. The people behind the counter look a bit puzzled at first
because of the strange card. Especially in the German 'home depot'
Bauhaus. I needed some tiles for the kitchen wall and they just had
THE excellent ones. I guess they don't see many tourists.
Reminds me of several friends who have furniture in storage. "Oh, this
is valuable and some day I am going to get the right price for it, it's
worth at least $3k" (or so they think). By the time I asked the
cumulative storage rental costs were around $4k ...

It takes a real man to admin he doesn't need some of his stuff :) I
recently cleared out some old items and projects that I had
obtained/designed over 15 years ago. Funny. When you get older, the
stuff you build / designed yourself starts to break down.

Someone once told me that women are attached to their man, men are
attached to their belongings. I think its true.
 
J

James Arthur

Jan 1, 1970
0
Joerg said:
Robert Baer wrote:

Huh? How do you know how many you'll need on an envelope? While the rate
inside the US went up by 2c the rate to Europe has been raised by 4c.

Quite an inflationary trend there at USPS. OTOH we still pay a whole lot
less than Europeans do. Probably it would be smart to buy one truckload
of forever stamps but I'm afraid the glue will give up after a few years.

Hey Joerg--you may've just come up with the perfect
inflation-proof, defensive investment: stamps.

Buy a load now, sell in a couple years...

Cheers,
James Arthur
 
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