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October 10, 2007 11:30 AM
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Greeno

Member
Joined: 10/06/2007

I have posted a few requests for enhancements, and have seen a number of others. I have also noted that in some cases, there are "hints" of upcoming features, but it is unclear if there is a schedule of future enhancements and targeted release dates. Certainly, if the Presto management is aware of the value to their customers of a particular feature, they could factor that in along with the cost to implement to prioritize the new features.

Here is my wish list for Presto fixes & enhancements, I encourage every one to post their “votes” for their top three choices:

  1. Enable Account Manager to view Message Headers (From Address & Subject Line) for all items in queue to be delivered
  2. Provide delivery metrics history (Message header & Date/Time delivered)
  3. Include Time & Date on all messages
  4. Enable PDF formatted messages to be delivered, and “as is” (no applied styles, font changes, etc)
  5. Enable “unscaled” graphics (i.e.: do not reduce our images to 4” x 6”)
  6. Ensure a dial tone is detected BFORE dialing (i.e.: do not disturb voice calls that are in progress)
  7. More subscription services that provide “mental exercises”
  8. On/Off button
  9. One-ream (500 page) paper capacity
  10. Enable 3rd party replacement ink cartridges to report on ink status
  11. Enable Account Manager to preview message content in the queue
  12. Enable Account Manager to delete messages in the queue
  13. USB connection to use HP Mailbox as a PC printer

Explanations

  1. Viewing the Queue enables the Account Manager to get a sense of the throughput, and who is sending content.
  2. Delivery Metrics will provide a positive indication if messages are being delivered, and when (almost as good as a “Return Receipt”). It would be good to have different views (messages per month; PAGES per month; etc – also good for paper & ink management).
  3. Recipients probably save many of the pages, but later have no idea of when the items were sent.
  4. Allowing PDF enables the senders to control the final format, so we can employ REALLY LARGE fonts, if necessary, send forms, design specific layouts, and generally employ our own creativity in what will be viewed by the recipient.
  5. If we can’t have PDF format, I would like to “create my own page” in JPG format, but Presto seems to scale everything down to 4” x 6”. In short, we want better control over how our content is printed.
  6. Confirming a dial tone first will eliminate interrupting voice calls with the dialing sequence.
  7. The word puzzles are good, but often too easy. I would like to see more choices here, and perhaps ratings for a “degree of difficulty” that would help us select what to subscribe to.
  8. An On/Off (or reset) button would make it easier to cycle the power, and force an immediate connection. I believe this is preferable than asking the recipient to unplug the device (which may have the plug behind a piece of furniture).
  9. A larger paper capacity will ease the burden of loading paper from once a week, to about the same time an ink cartridge needs replacement.
  10. Enabling 3rd party ink cartridges would reduce expenses, and encourage “green” recycling.
  11. The ability to preview message content enables the account manager to scan for anything inappropriate. Typically, the Account Manager is the person who has established the service, and has been entrusted to get content to the recipient. Including this privilege builds on this trust.
  12. Enabling message delete capability follows from #11 so inappropriate content can be eliminated. (NOTE that the Account Manager can remove senders from the “Friends List”, so removing their content would enable the Account Manager to “close: the issue.
  13. Adding PC printer capability would enable visitors to use the device as printer

Discussion:    Add a Comment | Comments 1-15 of 15 | Latest Comment

Peter R. Avatar
Presto Insider
October 10, 2007 12:18 PM

Thanks very much, Greeno. We really appreciate your taking the time to create this wish list. We indeed do have a robust roadmap of future features, but don't want to disclose it to the community...yet. One of the reasons to have an online community is to create just this kind of dialogue. We are just getting started with this back and forth communication, so you'll see more on this topic from us in the near future. For now, keep the ideas coming. We capture every single one. The whole development team watches the community closely, so your thoughts definitely make an impression.

Presto Insider: Peter Radsliff
CEO, Presto Services Inc.

Mr. C Avatar
Member
  • member since: 10/10/2007
  • rank: 2754 of 5896
  • 1 comments
October 10, 2007 1:42 PM

It would be extremely useful to be able to print a configuration page at the printer.  If it could show the printer page count, ink level, release dates of firmware, phone numbers it uses for checking mail, etc.... 

Most HP printers have a key combo for getting status pages.  After some trial and error, I found a couple of very useful key strokes, that are undocumented.  Perhaps Mr. Radsliff can provide us with additional button combinations...

FORCE A DIAL TO GET MAIL - Press and HOLD the "STOP" key, then press the Plus key ("+") twice and then release the "STOP" key.  This system will issue a cute tone combo, and then dial to check for new mail.

PRINT A DEBUG LOG OF RECENT ACTIVITY - Press and HOLD the "STOP" key, then pres the Minus ("-") key twice, then press the Plus key ("+") twice and then release the "STOP" key.  This system will issue a different cute tone combo, and then it will print a debug log.  It will show when the door is opened/closed, when ink is removed and replaced, when different keys are pressed, etc.....  Very intersting stuff, not sure how useful it is.  I am also curious if this same information is uploaded to Presto and is available online to an account manager.

If anyone else has any information about key combinations, please let me know.

 Best Regards,

Mr. C

fpot Avatar
Member
November 29, 2007 2:40 PM

Peter R. said: Thanks very much, Greeno. We really appreciate your taking the time to create this wish list. We indeed do have a robust roadmap of future features, but don't want to disclose it to the community...yet. One of the reasons to have an online community is to create just this kind of dialogue. We are just getting started with this back and forth communication, so you'll see more on this topic from us in the near future. For now, keep the ideas coming. We capture every single one. The whole development team watches the community closely, so your thoughts definitely make an impression.

Dear Peter,

Please consider adding the *.tif format. Doing so will allow me to set up my father-in-law's Printing Mailbox to receive faxes from a free fax-to-email service (www.k7.net).

This is an urgent request.

Fred Pot

fpot@seacas.com

206-850-7664 Mobile

Peter R. Avatar
Presto Insider
November 30, 2007 7:50 PM

Dear Fred:

I'll ask our team where .tif files sit in the queue of features and get back to you with more information shortly. 

Presto Insider: Peter Radsliff
CEO, Presto Services Inc.

Peter R. Avatar
Presto Insider
December 11, 2007 11:50 AM

Dear fpot:

I found out that .tif support won't be forthcoming in the near term for Presto users. However, there seems to be a lot of options for Fax-to-PDF services out there which Presto could support. I just did a Google search for "fax to pdf" and got many results. This article even talks about configuring Windows to help you directly: http://www.aloaha.com/wi-software-en/articel.php

I hope this helps until we have a direct Presto solution. 

Presto Insider: Peter Radsliff
CEO, Presto Services Inc.

Peter R. Avatar
Presto Insider
April 29, 2008 8:18 PM updated: April 29, 2008 8:20 PM

This message is specifically for Greeno and is in response to his prioritized list of features that started this post. Well, late last year, we started support for PDF deliveries (#4). We also silently upgraded the firmware on all Presto Printing Mailboxes that greatly improved dial tone detection (#6). We are working diligently on many other items discussed above…but for today, I wanted to reply with our latest announcement:

We announced Presto Mail Preview today to the PrestoPlace Community in my blog: http://tinyurl.com/6njbj2

Now anyone can send a test email and attachments to preview@presto.com -- they will then receive an email from Presto Bulletins with a link to the preview.

We're working hard to make Presto even better!

Presto Insider: Peter Radsliff
CEO, Presto Services Inc.

Generic Member Avatar
Member
April 30, 2008 8:42 AM

Thank you!

Peter R. Avatar
Presto Insider
April 30, 2008 10:14 AM

Many thanks to all of you, without which Presto would not exist.

Presto Insider: Peter Radsliff
CEO, Presto Services Inc.

Generic Member Avatar
Member
  • member since: 07/15/2008
  • rank: 2462 of 5896
  • 1 comments
July 15, 2008 9:25 AM updated: July 15, 2008 9:43 AM

Greeno said: ....I encourage every one to post their “votes” for their top three choices:

1. Enable Account Manager to view Message Headers (From Address & Subject Line) for all items in queue to be delivered

2. Provide delivery metrics history (Message header & Date/Time delivered)

3. Include Time & Date on all messages

.........

11. Enable Account Manager to preview message content in the queue

12. Enable Account Manager to delete messages in the queue

 

Very good list!!  My  top 5 are emphazied above except to note that 11. might be a privacy  issue,

....... and I would add the following:

A.  Save delivered messages for specified time (10 days?, 30 days?).  [Delivered mailbox] 

B.  Enable re-queue or forwarding of saved messages by account manager.

C.  Allow account manager to REPLY to any available message.

Reasons for A, B and C.: (1) to re-queue a message/photo that failed, was lost or thrown away. (2) to forward to friends or others particulary when requested by addressee, (3) to pass on comments, etc.

D.  Resetable(by account manager) "pages printed" counter.

Reason: Keep track of paper useage.

E.  A PRESTO single button feature where you can SEND AN EMAIL to all "friends".

Reasons: Special announcements and requests (birthday reminders, gatherings, reunions, etc.).. particularly when requested by the addressee..

My thanks to PRESTO for the already fine product!!

SDB/Jim

fpot Avatar
Member
July 15, 2008 10:20 AM

I hope you won't forget to allow printing of *.tif files.

Doing so will turn every Presto Printer into a fax machine using a free service (http://www.k7.net/)

Peter R. Avatar
Presto Insider
July 15, 2008 11:52 AM

Just to let you all know, we at Presto monitor PrestoPlace and especially this forum topic closely. So we hear you, and actually have formulated plans based in no small part on the desires of the community. I'm not ready to talk about this yet, but WE HEAR YOU!

Presto Insider: Peter Radsliff
CEO, Presto Services Inc.

MsMarieH Avatar
Member
November 3, 2008 1:56 PM

I want to put my vote in for #13. My brothers and sisters and I stay with my mom pretty much round the clock to try to help her stay at home as long as possible. Due to the long hours there, we often bring our laptops with us. We would LOVE to be able to hook up a laptop and print to this machine. I know it's a hardware modification, but well worth it in my opinion.

I would also very much prefer one ream paper capacity. Just makes life so much simpler to not have to keep refilling it all the time, especially for those that live farther away.

The metrics and time/date stamp would be excellent additions in my opinion.

Marie

Peter R. Avatar
Presto Insider
November 3, 2008 2:05 PM

Just to be realistic, we won't be making a hardware modification to the Presto Printing Mailbox any time soon to allow it to be a printer connected to a PC. However, you can use it while you are at your Mom's location by just sending whatever you want to print as a PDF and then using the "secret" dial-in function to immediately retrieve it (press and hold the stop button, and while continuing to hold it down, press and release the volume up (+) button twice). I do this when I visit my Presto user to print boarding passes, etc. You will need to learn how to create PDF documents, though. See Adobe's website, or find a third-party PDF creator application.

Also, the last time I went to Fry's Electronics, I bought a printer on sale for $29.00. I know it takes up more room, but you could buy one of these inexpensive printers and store it in a closet for when you visit your Mom.

Hope this help,

Peter

Presto Insider: Peter Radsliff
CEO, Presto Services Inc.

GoodIdeaBut Avatar
Member
  • member since: 09/04/2008
  • rank: 2433 of 5896
  • 14 comments
November 8, 2008 12:20 AM

According to Presto Customer Care Rep "Brad":

"As for the force dial, that is strictly for troubleshooting and simply connects the device to the server and more times than not will print out any messages at the next scheduled dial out time..."

In short, the secret dial-in function will usually not work immediately.

In fact, one really good thing to know is that the default response of the HP Printing Mailbox to most problems (including at setup) is: wait 24 hours.

Peter R. Avatar
Presto Insider
November 14, 2008 7:42 PM

For information on a major enhancement upgraded to all Presto account managers today, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/prestoconnectblog

Presto Insider: Peter Radsliff
CEO, Presto Services Inc.

Discussion:    Add a Comment | Back to Top | Comments 1-15 of 15 | Latest Comment

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