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Greetings from the FormSprint helpdesk!
February 29, 2012 - Happy Leap Day! Here in Connecticut, just as we thought winter had LEAPED right over us this year, in LEAPED a snow storm to get March off to a white start! That seems to be the story of our winter this year, just plain wacky! On a less wacky topic, this newsletter announces the release of the 2012 version of
FormSprint now ready for download. Please contact us at 860-657-3339 for download directions and log-in information. If you haven't updated FormSprint for some time, you can LEAP right
ahead to the latest version. Please read on for additional information about what's new. New England is, of course, known for winter sports like skiing and skating, but not this snow-less winter. So I thought I would share some pictures of one of my favorite winter
walking spots - Harkness Memorial State Park, Waterford, CT (www.stateparks.com/harness_memorial.html). Enjoy my winter walk! And don't forget to update FormSprint!
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Dynamic Duplex Printing
 FormSprint version 2012 supports Dynamic Duplex Control. Prior to this release, duplexing was either on or off for a given form/print job. Dynamic duplex control permits printer duplexing to be turned on or off based on the spool file content. Spool files can contain a mixture of pages requiring duplexing and those to be printed on a single side. The result is faster printing time and fewer printer cycle counts.
Some of our users lease printers and are charged by the page count. Here's an example of how this new feature would benefit someone paying by the page.
If he had a 10 page document and the first two pages were duplexed but the rest were printed on only one side, he had to set the entire print stream to duplex. He was charged correctly for the first two pages, which were actually duplexed, but then charged for both sides of the remaining eight pages, even though the backs were blank. The first two pages were charged correctly as two prints, but the remaining eight pages were charged as duplex pages equal to 16 prints, all adding up to a total of 18.
By shutting off the duplex function, his charge was simply two plus eight for a total of 10 page prints. He saves the cost of eight pages.
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IMB for Zebra Printers
 For some time now, FormSprint has supported the US Postal Service's Intelligent MailŪ products and services with the Intelligent MailŪ Barcode (IMB). The IMB is a new Postal Service barcode used to sort and track letters and flats. The Postal Service is promoting the use of the IMB because it expands the ability to track individual mailpieces. The new barcode incorporates the data of the other existing POSTNET and PLANET Code barcodes in a smaller space and expands the data capacity for more accurate and detailed information about mailings. At some point, the USPS may require the use of the IMB in place of the other barcodes.
In the 2012 release, FormSprint supports the IMB on Zebra (ZPL II) label printers. FormSprint users can now print the IMB directly on an item such as an envelope, on laser labels or using most common Zebra printers.
While offering more mailing services through the IMB, the USPS also offers enhanced discounts for mailings meeting certain criteria and using the IMB. |
PDF File Encryption 
Power PDF in release 201201 now supports encryption and password protection. Password protection is placed on a PDF file during file creation when the password is appended to the file name following the duplicate file option. The file is automatically encrypted whenever a password is assigned.
While it isn't new with release 2012, keep in mind that newly created PDF file can be appended to an existing PDF file created with Power PDF by using a J for the duplicate file option. |
QR Code 
Further enhancing FormSprint's broad barcode printing capability, version 201201 supports the Quick Response Code commonly abbreviated as the QR Code. The barcode has gained popularity outside the automotive industry for which it was designed, according to Wikipedia, because it handles much more information than barcodes such as the UPC barcode and it is supported by smart phones and other devices.
The QR Code is supported both in the Spool Mapper and the form flash. As with other barcodes, the QR code is accessed from the Fonts and Special Functions screen of the Spool Mapper simply by putting an X next to it and setting the barcode height parameter for the desired barcode size in millimeters.
In the flash definition, the multiline text screen can be used for the input data. |
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Harkness Memorial
State Park 
Harkness Memorial State Park was once a working farm and summer home of Edward and Mary Harkness. The Harkness family wealth came from Edward Harkness' father's association with John D. Rockefeller and Standard Oil. The Harkness family became great philanthropists donating millions of dollars to worthwhile charities. The estate was donated to the State of Connecticut over fifty years ago. The park comprises over 200 acres including the mansion itself, Eolia, gardens designed by famous landscape architect Beatrix Farrand, huge lawns, perfect for kite flying, and beautiful shoreline. During the summer month, Camp Harkness provides safe and accessible beachfront to folks with disabilities. I hope you enjoy my snowless winter walk!
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