I recommend all traders download this program from the post office. Here is the link to the page: USPS Shipping Assistant Page Here are the reasons: It has a built in address book and as soon as you get the address of your trading partner you can enter it in the address book by using copy and paste. Then save it and when you are ready to send your end of the trade all you need to enter is the weight of the package and by trying the different options you can see which method will be the cheapest and fastest. This software calculates the postage for you, but there is no option to pay for the postage online. You will have to pay the postage the old fashioned way unless you send everything Priority and use the USPS's Click n'Ship online. When you are ready to ship your end you can print the label on your computer's printer and it will have a barcode on it which EXPEDITES your package. The software will calculate your costs and delivery confirmation is included at the .14 cent online rate instead of the .45 you pay at the post office. To make your life even more simple, by being online you can easily schedule a pick-up of your packages from your postal carrier if at least ONE of them is Priority Mail. It is a good idea to stock up on all denominations of stamps by either ordering them online from the USPS or by buying them at the post office. If none of your packages is going by Priority you can still hand them to your carrier or put them in your mailbox to be picked up just like a letter. Warning: I would not take my packages again into the post office to mail as they will weight them and charge you for them WITHOUT the delivery confirmation or CHARGE you extra for the delivery confirmation. It can cause the postal clerks to get all flustered because they may not be used to this. This is caused by a glitch in the USPS. They developed the software without an option to remove DC. The USPS representive I talked to about it said to just pay for it as if it didn't have DC. HOWEVER, it is tracked by the PO as if it HAS the delivery confirmation, so I prefer to pay for what I get even if the PO can't understand or require it which is why I recommend putting your own stamps on or just giving a check to your postal carrier with the packages. NOTE: If you have many packages coming and going it is a good idea to have a good relationship with your mailman/woman. In my case, I live way out in the boonies and do not get into town often so our mail carrier is an important link in life. Back to the software, there is even an option that lets you know exactly the day and minute your package was delivered to your trader. One more thing: Every trader should make a modest investment in a postal scale. If you sign up at stamps.com they will send you one as a free gift for trying them out. You can also get a good deal on an inexpensive digital scale at eBay. Here is a link that might be useful: USPS Shipping Assistant

I would be delighted to see other GWers here in Sacramento. It's a great idea. Shall I send the info to your email? Could you send it to me, please, or post it here? My email, without spaces, is anita c @ surewest.net. The one on GW is wrong and I can't seem to correct it. Anita

I was the one who had posted it a while back, but had forgotten it since then. Because you brought it up again, I passed the 'good' word on the 2 friends recently. They were adults, and did not roll their eyes, but were thankful to learn of the free directory assistance. Regular directory assistance (1+area code+555-1212) used to be $1.75 per call, if you got your number or not. I wonder with a prepaid cell phone (like I have), how one is charged, or if there are just a lot of minutes ($1.75 worth), deducted. Hmmm, will have to check that out sometime. With my page plus, I have to buy $10 worth of minutes every 4 months, to keep the phone account active. Since it is just used for calling out convenience occasionally, I always have minutes stockpiled. Sue

Well, if it is to be found anywhere it would be by dialing 411, according to the article linked below. The cell phone user would have had to opted to have their cell number listed, in order for 411 to have it available. I doubt if many cell users would really want their number listed. From the link below: One day after a hearing on the Wireless 411 Privacy Act, the committee approved the bill, which would prohibit wireless carriers from including subscribers' phone numbers in published directories without their consent. Six of the seven largest wireless carriers are moving forward with a plan to compile a wireless number directory. Sponsors of the bill, including Senator Barbara Boxer (D-California), argued this week that wireless phone customers expect their numbers to be private, and the bill would safeguard customers against unscrupulous business practices. Might you know a relative of theirs or a mutual friend of theirs that could get in touch with them and ask that they call you? Do you know what town they are in? Possibly you could get a number via 411, if they have a land line, even if you don't have the exact street address. Here is a link that might be useful: Wireless Privacy Bills