Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Autopen shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Autopen offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Autopen at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Autopen? Wrong! If the Autopen is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Autopen then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Autopen? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Autopen and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Autopen wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Autopen then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Autopen site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Autopen, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Autopen, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
An
Autopen is a machine for automatically signing a signature as an autograph.
History
The first autopens were developed by an Englishman named John Isaac Hawkins. Hawkins received a US
patent for his device in 1803. In 1804,
Thomas Jefferson began using the device extensively. This early device was known at the time as a
polygraph—an abstracted version of the pantograph—bearing little resemblance to today's autopens in design or operation.
Harry Truman is believed to have been the first
President of the United States to use the autopen as a way of responding to mail and signing cheques. Autopen devices are used today by politicians and fundraisers to sign letters to constituents written by administrative assistants and clerical staff, and by celebrities such as movie stars, music stars and astronauts to sign photographs. A company named Studio Fanmail uses autopens to reproduce celebrity autographs onto pictures of the celebrity.
Today's autopens are often used to allow someone to be in two places at once. A politician can be travelling while his staff sign letters on his behalf. Donald Rumsfeld admitted using an autopen to sign letters to the family of people killed in action. When questioned on the subject, he stated it was inappropriate and began to sign the letters personally.
Further developing the class of devices known as autopens,
Canadian author Margaret Atwood developed a device called the
Longpen, which allows audio and video conversation between the fan and author while a book is being signed remotely.
Mechanism
The first step in using an autopen machine is to have a metal "matrix" of the signature made. This matrix is then loaded into the machine and signing can commence. Some claim that celebrity matrices are bought and sold by autograph vendors to sign photos without the consent of the original celebrity.
External links
- DAMILIC Corporation, a signature signing machine manufacturer and distributor.
- Signascript, a signature signing machine manufacturer and distributor.
- Automated Signature Technology, a signature machine manufacturer.
- A site with information on autopen signatures
- A site that tells how to detect an autopenned signature
- Thomas Jefferson's Polygraph
- Isitreal.com - Maybe the largest online Autopen autograph library worldwide
- collectSPACE: Identifying Astronaut Autopens
An
Autopen is a machine for automatically signing a signature as an autograph.
History
The first autopens were developed by an Englishman named John Isaac Hawkins. Hawkins received a US patent for his device in 1803. In 1804,
Thomas Jefferson began using the device extensively. This early device was known at the time as a
polygraph—an abstracted version of the pantograph—bearing little resemblance to today's autopens in design or operation.
Harry Truman is believed to have been the first President of the United States to use the autopen as a way of responding to mail and signing cheques. Autopen devices are used today by politicians and fundraisers to sign letters to constituents written by administrative assistants and clerical staff, and by celebrities such as movie stars, music stars and astronauts to sign photographs. A company named Studio Fanmail uses autopens to reproduce celebrity autographs onto pictures of the celebrity.
Today's autopens are often used to allow someone to be in two places at once. A politician can be travelling while his staff sign letters on his behalf.
Donald Rumsfeld admitted using an autopen to sign letters to the family of people killed in action. When questioned on the subject, he stated it was inappropriate and began to sign the letters personally.
Further developing the class of devices known as autopens, Canadian author Margaret Atwood developed a device called the Longpen, which allows audio and video conversation between the fan and author while a book is being signed remotely.
Mechanism
The first step in using an autopen machine is to have a metal "matrix" of the signature made. This matrix is then loaded into the machine and signing can commence. Some claim that celebrity matrices are bought and sold by autograph vendors to sign photos without the consent of the original celebrity.
External links
- DAMILIC Corporation, a signature signing machine manufacturer and distributor.
- Signascript, a signature signing machine manufacturer and distributor.
- Automated Signature Technology, a signature machine manufacturer.
- A site with information on autopen signatures
- A site that tells how to detect an autopenned signature
- Thomas Jefferson's Polygraph
- Isitreal.com - Maybe the largest online Autopen autograph library worldwide
- collectSPACE: Identifying Astronaut Autopens
