Ask Postful: International Mailings
April 7, 2007
Q: Can I mail internationally?
A: Not yet. This is one of the most requested features from beta users so we’re moving it way up the development list.
The first step will be to offer international airmail service from our printers in the US. As we expand, the next step is to set up international print stations. These would have the advantage of dramatically decreasing mailing times (send the message from anywhere in the world and it’s printed and delivered locally).
We plan on having the airmail service available by June. The rates will be slightly higher for this to cover the additional cost of airmail postage.
I don’t have a timeline on the international print stations since that will depend largely on demand. As we roll those out, we will be able to lower our rates. Our target is to reach a single flat fee for a letter sent anywhere in the world.
Fantastic Response
April 6, 2007
I wanted to start by thanking everyone who has written about us and to us. We’re working through your questions and comments and will be getting back to every one of you.
It’s almost shocking to have gone from working in near-total isolation on this to suddenly having questions, comments, and requests coming from all over the world (and for those sending me questions in Chinese, bablefish is rendering your letters as threatening poetry and my friends who read Chinese are more comfortable with traditional than simplified characters). I think we’ve passed that point where things are entirely in our control (and I’m still in “take deep breaths” mode).
I’m going to post answers to some of the most common questions here over the next few hours. Once again, I just want to thank everyone for the fantastic response.
Don’t Repeat Yourself
April 4, 2007
Postful is about sending snail mail from email. In particular, it is for people who want to work fast.
As we were designing our user interface, we kept asking ourselves this question:
What is the very easiest way someone could send snail mail from email?
Our answer was this: type the address in this subject line.
Then we did this a whole bunch at times, and our fingers started to get bored. All that typing of addresses. Personally, I forget people’s addresses. Zip codes? Forget about it.
What is an even easier way to do this?
If you are going to be sending to the same person more than once, you don’t want to type the address over and over again. What if a message to christopher_robin@postful.com just got snail mailed every time to 28 Hundred Acre Wood, The Forest? That way, you could just keep the email address in your address book.
And that is what a Postful mailbox is.
What is yet an even easier way to do this?
Postful must read our minds. Postful will know what we want to say and whom we want to say it to. Artificial intelligence, shmartificial intelligence. We’re hard at work here at the problem of telepathy. We’ll keep you posted on any developments.
First Letter Using Postful (Beta)
April 3, 2007
So, in grand slashdot tradition, “first post” was claimed on Postful. Yes, we’ve sent other test messages through, but this one was the first after we launched the beta (so, by that logic, you’ll have another try when we have our public launch).
Pretty much every startup out there owes a huge debt to friends and family who faithfully test, provide feedback, and just put up with the hours we put in. My brother, Matthew, has been part of our testing from the beginning and he claimed the honor of sending the first letter yesterday (which he shared with me and kindly gave permission to share with all of you):
Postful Closed Beta Launches!
April 2, 2007
It’s taken quite some time, but we have finally launched the Postful closed beta! Right now most of you are probably asking how you can be a part of this? (The rest of you are probably wondering what the heck is Postful or is dark energy real)
I’m assuming those of you still reading want to be a part of the beta. Here’s where it gets easy. Just write me a letter at feedback [at] postful-inc.com and I’ll send you an invite to the the beta. We will be capping this, so get in now.
Now let’s say your feed reader is broken and you don’t get this announcement in time. Don’t worry. We’ll be periodically opening new slots in the beta. Send me a message and chances are I can get you in. And if you come up with a new use for Postful, I’ll send you an invite on the spot.
Also, we’ll be giving current users the ability to invite others to join. So, if one of your friends is taunting you with how incredible Postful is, hold your spleen until after they send you an invite.
With Postful you’ll never have to look for another stamp or envelope. You won’t need to worry about wasting time at printing or going to the post office. And you can reconnect with friends and family who don’t use e-mail. We’re looking forward to seeing how you take advantage of us.
Offline Frameworks Matter (For More Than Offline Access)
April 2, 2007
David Heinemeier Hansson announced today that offline web applications are getting too much attention. Assuming this isn’t a late April Fools joke, it is simply wrong.
Imagine using a laptop that randomly crashed, regularly slowed down, and was only available 50% of the time when on the go. Few of us would tolerate this (well, there is Windows…).
For some web applications, this kind of connectivity is fine. In fact, most web applications have targeted areas where this is not a problem. But for the new wave of Office 2.0 applications, it’s a deal-breaker. You can’t leave your documents on an online word processor if you don’t know when you’ll be able to access them. Offline access means a 5-10 year forward shift in adoption of these applications.
Moreover, the new frameworks are not just about connectivity. They’re about breaking down the limitations of the browser. Allowing full integration with desktop software, richer ui options, and more flexibility in functionality are all critical moves in their own right.
This may be the key move towards breaking the network out from the browser (and its historical limitations). This is about introducing the power of increasingly ubiquitous connectivity to the full scope of computing activities (along with the continued expansion of what those activities are).
So, for those who can’t imagine anything better than Firefox over a cellular modem, you probably don’t need these new frameworks. For the rest of us who both want better results now and a more complete and connected experience going forward, these frameworks are great news.
Gmail Paper Causes Panic
April 1, 2007
I must admit that when I was forwarded a screenshot of Gmail Paper last night, my first thought was, “Holy crap, Google has gotten to mail ahead of us.” Suffice it to say after reading details, I recognized the joke and felt shame. Shame that I now share with the world.
