Slashdot Mirror
E-Postage for Linux?
tyen asks: "While it's not dead yet (shades of Monty Python), Internet postage on Linux appears to be missing. The biggest player's software is Windows-only, and the other players mimic this requirement. You would be amazed how many businesses will dedicate a computer to printing off postage and shipping labels, why pay an annoying Microsoft tax for such an appliance application? Besides, these Windows-based solutions are heavily GUI-centric, and any integration into Linux-based automated processes would be unacceptably brittle. Has anyone successfully set up their business to print off e-postage from Linux or any other Open Source platform?"
I don't believe the UPS or FedEx software comes in a *n?x variant, so the answer is basically, "No."
Even if they did, good luck finding *n?x drivers for an Eltron thermal printer (prints out stickers for packages). Not that I've looked... but I doubt you will find them.
Up here in The Great White North we send everything by dog sled.
Speech: Free
Beer: $699.00
I doubt there is one available at this point. However, you may very well be able to emulate the software under WINE or (probably easier) Crossover Office. Yes, before someone jumps on me, they are built on the same code but I have noticed that apps run better (and faster) on Crossover.
From a (somewhat ignorant) corporate standpoint, I can understand why. Digital postage is pretty close to digital money. And while I don't know the cryptogtaphy involved, I assume it's a proven system (after all, this is the USPS), as least on paper, if not in implementation. However, the thought of "evil hackers" having low-level access to the system calls, snooping at the system would probably keep the CEOs up at night. I just can't see this happening solely due to a mistrust of the underlying OS. Granted, a skilled Windows "hacker" can do the same thing with debuggers under Windows, but everyone "trusts" Windows' security/obscurity.
I guess it wouldn't hurt to inquire again, just to let them know that a former customer would return if they had a native Linux version.
Method of processing duck feet
...or otherwise unusable through automation. Many widely used, widely emulated GUI applications are usable through a command line or script interface.
meh.
This was only for the envelope and invoice/receipt/statement (no estamps), but I did integrate a barcode->image->embedded in PDF functionality that allowed us to semi-automate return mail.
Worked like a dream - took me about a week to write.
Q.
Insert Signature Here
In another story on Slashdot....
Has anyone successfully used Linux to wash enterprise underwear!
Sheesh... This thing is getting worse every day.
Nandz.
Actually, his name is Lewis Black.
This is about support, nothing more. I'm suprised how many Slashdotters don't understand the costs of adding support for a platform to a product. I've worked on major projects where it was a big deal that we supported three platforms, and the choice of the third platform was a matter of major infighting. And this was in big companies with a lot of cash to throw around. I'm suprised that stamps.com has the resources to support two platforms.
ClickStampOnline is an internet-based postage system. The page says Windows required but maybe it will work under Mac/*NIX. Maybe it's a browser thing, or maybe it's more complex than that.
GUI? The DM500 we have doesn't use much of a GUI at all on it's low-resolution LCD screen. It's more in the printing. You just pick a zip code, shipping method, then there's a scale that weighs your letters...
so many people clamor for ports to their system (linux/mac/etc) but why would a company do it when it wasn't even a success on a majority platform?
I've used this under Mozilla on windows. Sadly, I haven't had a chance to get my desktop machine completely converted to KDE on FreeBSD yet, so I can't say whether this works on non-Microsoft OS'es.