DAZzle (envelope manager) alternatives?

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[INDENT][/INDENT]After reluctantly shifting all the PCs in my house to Win8.1, moving up from XP, I am discovering that many of my old favorite programs will not fly — will not even, in most cases, install. In particular, I would like to be able to use that wondrously flexible and efficient envelope-printing manager, DAZzle Plus (copyrighted in 1993), but Win8 refuses to install it. I’ve run through all the compatibility options offered by Win8, and I’ve tried the “run as admin” gambit, and I’ve checked the MS site’s extended compatibility listings, all to no avail. I’ve gone through the tedious folderol of installing a virtual machine, twice (that is, both the Oracle VM and VMWare Player), and then the further folderol of installing XP on those VMs, but even when operating under those conditions, neither of those VMs would allow the installation of DAZzle. I’ve also scoured the internet for possible alternatives, again with no luck. As far as I can tell, not only is there not an updated version of DAZzle, or any version, recent or relic, of anything similar, but rather, it seems that there simply is no longer any such animal, anywhere.
[INDENT][/INDENT]For those of you who don’t know about DAZzle, it had remarkable capabilities, and it operated with a smoothness and proficiency that I have rarely encountered in any other program. To give you a few examples: it allowed you to precisely reposition the address or return address blocks of text by dragging them about on an almost-full-sized mock-up screen — and it actually worked, every single time! You could fiddle with different fonts for the address and the return address; you could easily add logos and other graphics anywhere on the envelope (again with flawless mock-up dragging); you could work with all envelope sizes; you could use barcode-enhanced addresses; you could save different mailing set-ups and styles and address databases. Some of the advanced features (parts I never used) could accommodate foreign postal rates and different postal weight classes and whatnot. It was a truly beautiful program which seamlessly hooked into the earlier versions of MS-Word.
[INDENT][/INDENT]So here’s my question: does anyone out there know of a good DAZzle alternative? Or, failing that, would anyone happen to know, specifically, whether the newer versions of MS-Word offer similar features? I’m still stuck back on Word 2002 (!), but perhaps if one of the newer iterations of Word can do what DAZzle used to do, I’d consider upgrading.
[INDENT][/INDENT]Or has anyone got any other ideas that might help with this issue?
[INDENT][/INDENT]Thanks, everyone.

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I recently had to install some very old programs (Greek and Hebrew reference programs) on a brand new Windows 8.1 install. They absolutely would not install, not even using compatibility mode with Windows XP.

I installed Oracle Virtual Box, and put Windows 2000 in the virtual box. I then successfully installed the two programs. Both run without any problem in that environment.

Try Oracle Virtual Box with Windows 2000.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

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Thanks, Mr. Jim. I’m not sure I own an installation DVD of Win2000, but if I do, I will give your suggestion a whirl. In any case, I’m glad to hear that this strategem worked for you!

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You can find some vendors here who sell Windows 2000:

http://shopper.cnet.com/windows/microsoft-windows-2000-professional/4014-3672_9-1503458.html

Prices start at $33.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

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I had that same problem with Dazzle not loading when I converted from Win XP to Win 7 64 Bit. I discovered that the Dazzle loader is 16 bit software and Win 7 64 Bit evidently will not run 16 bit software. However, I remembered that with Version 3.0 of Dazzle when loading to Win XP you had a choice loading the 16 bit or 32 bit version. I always loaded the 32 Bit version. So from my old XP drive I copied the expanded 32 Bit Dazzle folder to my Win 7 Drive, found the Dazzle.exe file and created a desktop icon an it works fine.
I also burned a copy of the 32 Bit expanded Dazzle folder to a disk, so I could just copy it to other computers as needed. I also converted to Win 8 & 8.1, and the Dazzle program works just fine; with Win 8.1 I had tweak Dazzle using the program compatibility settings within Win 8.1 i.e. Win XP, etc.. Anyway you are right, this is really one of those most useful programs that I was sad to see abandoned by it’s developer. I hope this works for you

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Thanks, tonyyac, for your encouraging and nicely detailed reply, but alas, my version of DAZzle is only v.2.1, and its installation routine had no options for selecting either 16-bit or 32-bit operation. I went through the steps you outlined anyway, but the transplanted DAZzle did not fly. Win8.1 refuses to run it, no matter what other permissions I grant myself for the executable file. Awfully glad it’s working for you, though. Meanwehile, I will keep searching for solutions. And, hey, let me know if you stumble upon anyplace on the ‘net where I can grab a 3.0 version of DAZzle.

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I’ve been using Pimex for 12 years. It’s a PIM that will let you make as many address books as you like, and then print envelopes for your selections. It has quite a few standard size envelopes, and you can add your own custom sizes as well. The fonts for the address and the return address can be changed, and you can have it print the bar code if you want it to. Sounds like DAZzle is more customizable and has more bells and whistles, but you may want to try Pimex. The website is http://www.pimexonline.com. It works on Windows 7 64-bit, but don’t know about Windows 8.

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Thanks very much, Andy. Pimex sounds good and looks pretty good on the company website. Not sure I want to pay $35 for it, but I will investigate further, probably download it and give it the 30-day trial. Thanks again for the suggestion.

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Sorry to post this basic question: Since the program is no longer available, is it OK for tonyyac to share? If so, are you willing to do so? Thanks in any case. This forum is very helpful.

Followup — Turns out that I have Dazzle 4.3.06, but I tried a reinstall and it did not offer a 32 bit choice. Anyone have any insight on this? Maybe it is 32 bit already?

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Since the program is no longer available, is it OK for tonyyac to share?

No. That would be software theft (piracy), since the original producers still own it. Only they can make it available.

Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

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