Spinney Hill Software will release Windows Version 5.00 of its family of populated stamp programs CANstamp,USAstamp and GBstamp this fall in time for the stamping season. The Canadian version CANstamp has a built in inventory of 3805 stamps including Back of the Book, Provinces and varieties (the complete SCOTT's Volume 2 - 2002 listing). The American version USAstamp includes ~5900 stamps including most of the general and Back of the Book issues from Volume 1. The Great Britain version GBstamp has a built in inventory of ~2900 stamps, again the complete SCOTT's Volume 3 - 2002 listing.

Owners of previous versions of these programs will keep the data they have entered into tour inventory. A start-up application will take your old data and add it to the new database supplied with the new programs. The descriptions go from the very clipped 15 characters to the new recognizable 40 character strings. The start-up application will read in your data on number of stamps, what you paid for them and when you purchased them, if you entered that data. If you have added new varities they also will be added. You can edit the old description to better describe the stamps in the new 40 character format.

The programs catalogue the inventory of Mint, Used, First Day Covers, and Blocks and include an estimated catalogue value. The collector can Update (input present inventory, up to 999 of each stamp type), Review (screen view of present inventory), Print (print out the want, inventory or value listing) or Upload (upload an annual diskette or add NEW SCOTT numbers from your keyboard). We have added a dual Want List for Mint and Used stamps on the same page. A Memo Editor is included which gives you the ability to make your own notes about each stamp number. A single key variety blocking key is included to block out the varieties in the inventory you do not wish to collect by automatically placing a "*" in the stamp type location. These varieties will not show up on your Want List. Also included is an On-Screen Value Listing which will give you your inventory value between two SCOTT Numbers or for your complete inventory. Also included is an Inventory Editor where you can edit the inventory Descriptions and Estimated Catalogue Value.

All of the Printouts show the collectors present inventory status. The Inventory List Printout is very useful as it shows the stamps you do and do not have. If a stamp type is not listed in the catalogue it shows up on the printout as a "^". If you do not have the listed stamp it will show up as a ".".The Value List Printout lists the Mint, Used and FDCs or the Corner Blocks you do have and an estimated present value. A Want List Printout lists all the stamps you do not have between a set of SCOTT Numbers complete with an estimated catalogue value. The Annual Upload Diskette will include the stamps issued since the last release and will include an updated estimate of present stamp value for each stamp. The Keyboard Upload lets the collector add those varieties not in SCOTTs Catalogue Volumes 1, 2 or 3.

Menus guide the collector through each step of the process. For example the Main Menu lists the four types of tasks as Update, Review, Print, or Upload. The Update and Screen Reviews show the SCOTT Number, Stamp Denomination, and a short Description of each stamp to confirm you and the inventory are working on the same one. The hobbyist can also enter when the stamp was purchased and how much it cost. The Screen Review lists selected portions of the stamp inventory forty-eight stamps at a time.

TOPstamp, a new non-populated program for the Topical Collector, lets you add your own stamp collection by topical area. GENstamp, another non-populated program, where you add your stamps from countries other than Canada, the United States or Great Britain. Both programs have the same full features as the populated programs, except Annual Upload Diskette, but you must add the inventory data. These non-populated programs sell for $39.95 each.

The Users Manual that accompanies the programs is written for the first time computer user so you don't have to be a "hacker" to be able to use the programs. All of the tasks are described with illustrated screens that will be utilized as the collector is Adding to or Reviewing your present inventory.

Each of the three populated stamp programs is available for $49.95 and the Annual Update for $15.95 (No GST. Ontario Residents Please Add 8% PST) from:

        SPINNEY HILL SOFTWARE,

        981 Frei Street,

        Cobourg, Ontario

        Canada

        K9A 5L4

           Phone/FAX Orders: (905) 377-0300