Random Lengths: Information Services for the Forest Products Industry

I already have Adobe Acrobat Reader on my machine. Does it matter what version I am using?
-- Yes. Starting in April 2010, the most current version of Acrobat Reader for your computer system will be required for Random Lengths pdf files. The previous requirement was Reader version 5.0 or higher. Older versions of Reader may have problems viewing and printing current pdf files, so we strongly recommend that subscribers stay current on Adobe Reader updates.. Earlier versions are not compatible with Random Lengths files.

How do I obtain the latest version of Adobe Reader?
-- Adobe Reader is free. You can download it from:
http://www.adobe.com/
-- Select the Get Adobe Reader icon
-- Under Also Download, uncheck the boxes to download Adobe Yahoo! Toolbar, and Adobe Photoshop® Album Starter Edition. You can select Learn More to find out more about these options, and leave the boxes checked to include them if you choose, but they are not required to run Adobe Reader.
-- Click the Download button
-- Save the .exe file to a place you will remember on your computer

After my computer is finished downloading the software what do I do?
-- Go to where you saved the .exe file and double-click on the file. Adobe Reader will create its own library on your system.

What if I have problems installing Adobe Reader on my computer?
-- For Adobe Reader help, go to http://www.adobe.com/support/products/acrreader.html.
-- For general help, go to http://www.adobe.com/support/main.html, and choose the help option that you would like.
-- Additional information is also available on the Random Lengths PDF Tips and Tricks page on our web site at http://www.rlpi.com. Go to Internet & Fax Services, then Internet E-mail PDF, then Tips and Tricks.
-- Your own computer support staff might also be able to help, or contact your local computer support person. Random Lengths does not provide technical support for Adobe products.

*** About Random Lengths PDF Services

What do we have to do once we receive an e-mail report from RL?
-- The PDF file with the report will arrive as an “attachment” to an e-mail message. The software that you use to access your e-mail will determine where the attachment is stored and what you have to do to view and print it.

When will the PDF file be in my e-mail mailbox?
-- Random Lengths submits e-mail publications to its Internet Service Provider as closely as possible to the release times indicated above. However, many factors affect the publication process and release times may vary from one week to the next, especially for the Midweek and Lumber Reports. Although most subscribers receive their e-mail reports promptly after the release time, delays in delivery of e-mails can occur that are out of our control. We cannot guarantee delivery precisely at the release time. For estimated delivery times, see the release times listed below for each publication.

How can I view samples of Random Lengths reports in PDF format?
-- You can view/download samples of PDF files from the Random Lengths web site at http://www.rlpi.com. Go to Internet & Fax Services, then Internet E-mail PDF. Links to the samples pages are available under each publication, so you can view or download the file you wish to see. OR you can request samples from Random Lengths. Voice: 888-686-9925 (in the U.S. and Canada) or 541-686-9925, Fax: 800-874-7979 or 541-686-9629, E-mail: rlonline@rlpi.com. Please note which file (Random Lengths, RL International, Yardstick, Lumber, Panel, and/or Midweek), along with your e-mail address, name, company, and phone number.

Why doesn't RL use its web site to distribute its publications?
-- Speed, capacity, reliability, and security. These factors are important to you and to us. Web sites do not adequately provide a combination of speed and capacity that will serve a large number of Random Lengths subscribers in a short period of time. By transmitting directly to subscribers’ e-mail boxes, we are eliminating the web site “middle step” in delivering information to subscribers. And we eliminate “traffic jams” that can occur at a web site.

Can I resend any of the Random Lengths PDF files to other locations in my company?
-- NO. All Random Lengths reports are covered by U.S. copyright laws and international copyright agreements. You cannot resend the reports, or any portion of them, by e-mail, fax, computer transmission, or any other means without permission from Random Lengths Publications, Inc.

*** About the complete Random Lengths, Yardstick, International publications by e-mail

Can I receive just the PDF service and drop my mailed subscription?
-- Yes.

What is the cost for the complete publication PDF file service?
-- Subscription rates for the PDF services are the same as for U.S. mailed subscriptions. All rates are in US dollars. Canadian residents, please add 5% GST.
-- Annual rates: $345.00 for Random Lengths, $295.00 for Yardstick and $260.00 for International.
-- 6-month Introductory offer for new subscribers only: $119.95 for Random Lengths, $99.99 for Yardstick and $89.95 for International.

What if I still want a mailed copy of the report in addition to the PDF service? What will it cost?
This service is not available for the Lumber, Panel and Midweek reports.

Annual Rates for both postal and e-mail:
-- Random Lengths mailed copy plus the e-mail PDF file will be: U.S.: $381.00; Canada: $393.00 (+GST)($US); and Foreign: $405.00 (US$).
-- Yardstick mailed copy plus the e-mail PDF file will be U.S.: $331.00; Canada $351.00(+GST) (US$); Foreign: $361.00(US$).
-- International mailed copy plus the e-mail PDF file will be U.S.: $260.00; Canada: $272.00 (+GST)(US$); and Foreign: $284.00 (US$).

6-month Introductory offer for new subscribers only for both postal and e-mail:
-- Random Lengths mailed copy plus the e-mail PDF file will be: U.S.: $137.00; Canada: $143.95 (+GST)($US); and Foreign: $149.95 (US$).
-- Yardstick mailed copy plus the e-mail PDF file will be U.S.: $117.99; Canada $127.99 (+GST) (US$); Foreign: $132.99 (US$).
-- International mailed copy plus the e-mail PDF file will be U.S.: $101.95; Canada: $107.95 (+GST)(US$); and Foreign: $113.95 (US$).

When does Random Lengths send the PDF files to e-mail subscribers?
-- The Random Lengths complete 12-page Report is released every Friday by 2 pm Pacific time. Delivery usually occurs within two hours of the listed release time.
-- The Yardstick complete 24-page Report is released by 10:00 am Pacific Time on the publication date, which is between the 15th and the 18th day of every month. Delivery usually occurs within one hour of the listed release time.
-- The International complete 8-page Report is released by 4:30 pm Pacific time every other Wednesday night. Delivery usually occurs within one hour of the listed release time.

*** About the Random Lengths Lumber, Panel, and Midweek Market Reports by e-mail

What are the benefits to receiving the Random Lengths Market reports by e-mail PDF instead of by fax?
-- Delivery is generally faster. A subscriber might prefer the e-mail readable PDF format of a report to the fax version if delivery time is the paramount concern.
-- The e-mail version of the Midweek, Lumber, and Panel reports contain a special feature called UPS and DOWNS. This is a second copy of the price pages, with the change from the previously reported price shown as a plus or a minus.

Can I receive just the Lumber, Panel and Midweek PDF service and drop my mailed subscription to the complete 12-page Random Lengths?
-- NO. A subscription to the complete, 12-page Random Lengths newsletter, delivered by either e-mail in PDF format or postal delivery, is a prerequisite for all Lumber, Panel, and/or Midweek e-mail and fax services. The full Random Lengths report is the only way subscribers can receive “Through A Knothole,” the first 3 pages of the weekly report.

What is the cost for the Lumber, Panel, and Midweek Market Report PDF file service?
-- Subscription rates are $250.00 for Lumber, $170.00 for Panel and $195.00 for Midweek. All rates are in US dollars. Canadian residents, please add 5% GST.

When does Random Lengths send the Market Report PDF files to e-mail subscribers?
-- The Midweek Report is released by 6:00 pm Pacific Time every Tuesday, to be available at the beginning of the work day on Wednesday. Delivery usually occurs within one hour of the listed release time.
-- The Lumber Report is released by 6:00 pm Pacific Time every Thursday, to be available at the beginning of the work day on Friday. Delivery usually occurs within one hour of the listed release time.
-- The Panel Report is released by 11:30 am Pacific Time every Friday, to be available by 12:00 noon Pacific Time on Friday. Delivery usually occurs within one half-hour of the listed release time.

What information is included in the Market Report PDF files?
-- The Midweek Report includes the full Random Lengths Midweek Price Guide and the Market Commentary from the fax format, plus the Ups and Downs, a second copy of the price pages, with the change from the previously reported price shown as a plus or a minus.
-- The Lumber Report includes the full Random Lengths Lumber Price Guide (pages 5 - 8 of the complete, 12-page edition), the Market Commentaries (pages 4, 9 & 10 of the complete 12-page edition), and the Ups and Downs, a second copy of the price pages, with the change from the previously reported price shown as a plus or a minus.
-- The Panel Report includes the full Random Lengths Panel Price Guide (page 12 of the complete, 12-page edition), the Market Commentaries (page 11 of the complete, 12-page edition), and the Ups and Downs, a second copy of the price pages, with the change from the previously reported price shown as a plus or a minus.

*** About e-mail and the Internet:

What do I do if I don’t receive my e-mail of the Random Lengths, Yardstick, International, Lumber, Panel, or Midweek PDF file?
-- Please check with your Internet support person.
-- Check with your Internet provider and see if their e-mail host is down.
-- Check to see if you have a firewall
-- Check to see if Random Lengths is on your whitelist and in your address book
-- Contact Random Lengths and let us know you are having problems. We can resend the report directly to you, provide suggestions, and help you test solutions with your technical support staff.

What if my system uses a firewall?
-- Check with your Internet support person and make them aware of your e-mail needs.

What e-mail software does Random Lengths use?
-- Random Lengths uses Outlook Express to send and receive emails.

I don’t have much experience with using the Internet and installing software. Can Random Lengths help me with this?
--- No. Random Lengths does not provide technical support.

Where can I go for additional help in setting up my computer?
-- There are many sources for help:
1) Your in-house technical support staff.
2) Your Internet Service Provider. (Note that ISP technical support ranges from excellent to nonexistent, so make technical support one of your criteria when selecting a provider).
3) An independent consultant. Many consultants specifically advertise Internet support services. Your ISP might recommend a consultant if they don’t offer in-house technical support.
4) Your local book store may have books details how to set up an Internet connection on the specific operating system (for example: Windows XP) that you’re using.