Hello Barbara and all. David, thanks for the great advice concerning bar code scanners and the differences between these and normal scanners.
I'd also suggest the BCScan Email list for more information and help on this topic. Go to www.bBCScan.com and subscribe from the home page. Hope this helps. J.J. BCScan.com ----- Original Message ----- From: David To: C. Richcreek Enterprises Cc: WE English mailing list Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 7:43 PM Subject: Re: Bar Code Script No, you CANNOT use a normal scanner to read cans. Think it over! The can is round, the label is wrapped around it. A normal scanner only reads what is down towards the glass surface of the scanner. At the best, the scanner would read a few characters from each line. And, how would you know if you had centered the barcode towared the reading surface of your flatbed scanner? Put this EASY: The normal scanner is for scanning pages (loose or in a book), the barcoed scanner is for reading BARCODES, and ONLY FOR BARCODES. You cannot use a barcode scanner for any other purpose. It will NEVER substitute your flatbed scanner, only make a useful supplement to your pc based system. For a nice pressentation on what a barcode scanner is, and how it is useful with the BCSCAN script in WE 7, go to the following link, and then choose 'download'; then listen to the downloaded mp3 file. http://www.blindbargains.com/audio.php?m=3243 As to what scanner to suggest, I really can't give too much of help, as it is a matter of what is available and personal pocket and taste. I know, that several people on the list suggest the Metrologic MS3780 or MK3780. Go to places like ebay.com, or amazon.com, go to the search area, and type a search term like one of the followin: barcode omni barcode metrologic See what offers are available. On EBay, you can go to the advanced search area, fill inn the search term you want, then scroll down to the 'items available to' combobox (no 6 down from the search term edit box),and choose your country - in case you don't live in USA. Many scanners may be available only for certain areas of the world, and the prices and shipping rates will vary. This is why, I don't want to tell you a certain scanner. In my initial posting, I gave a few things to keep in mind. I will repeat them here: - Make sure the scanner is OMNI-DIRECTIONAL (also called BIDIRECTIONAL) - Make sure it is a USB scanner. USB ports are found on any modern pc (tower, desktop, laptop), hence your new barcode scanner should work on your pc. Other connections are available(serial, parallel, BlueTooth etc) but not all PCs support these connections. - If you want the capability to put the scanner in a holder, hence freeing up your hands, choose a model that has the holder included. Hope this helps you somehow. My personal testing of different models is quite limited, so if I suggested one model, you might end up buying that one, skiping other models that might be cheaper, yet just as functional. Basically, barcode scanners are quite similar when comes to technology. Meaning, as long as you keep the above listed points in mind, you should be pretty safe. ----- Original Message ----- From: C. Richcreek Enterprises To: David Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 7:05 PM Subject: Re: Bar Code Script Hi, I am Craig, Could you tell me if Win-Eyes can use my regular scanner to scan cans to tell me what is in there? and also which omni-directional bar code scanner under $200 or $300. range do you advise? Thank you in advance, Craig B. Richcreek ----- Original Message ----- From: David To: WE English mailing list Sent: Monday, October 13, 2008 2:56 AM Subject: Re: Bar Code Script Yes, you need a special bar code scanner. This is a small - usually handheld - device, that only has a reading window of approximately 8x1.5cm. The advantage of having this small window is that it only will read the bar code, not all the text that is found on the object scanned. Why use a handheld unit? Because of the flexibility. How would you get a flatbed (normal) scanner to read the label on a can, or a bulky package of sugar? With the handheld unit, you can simply move the scanner around the object, and it will typically give a tiny beep, when the barcode has been found/recognized. Certain barcode scanners come with a table holder (also called table unit). This is simply a holder you put on the top of your desk, then place the scanner in it, and you then move the object to be scanned, in front of the scanner's reading window. The benefit here is for one thing, that you can use both your hands to move the object; rather than holding the object in one hand, and the scanner in the other. Next, you don't have to play with the cable on the scanner, which sometimes could get hooked on some other things on your desk, and force them to fall down, when you move the scanner around. Third, I guess it is much a matter of taste, whether or not to use a table holder for your scanner. The little extra to pay for the scanner that has the table holder included, though, is that low, I think you might as well go for it, as you then can try it out, and find what works best for you, in different situations. Eventhough your scanner has the table holder, it easily can be removed from there, and be used as a complete handheld scanner. One extra benefit of the table holder, is of course, when the scanner is not in use, you will always know where to find it. Just make sure you get what is called an OMNI-DIRECTIONAL, or BI-DIRECTIONAL scanner.What these terms means, is that the scanner will look for the barcode, as well horizontally, as vertically. This means that it will find the bar code far more easily, even if you don't hold the object's barcode exactly in the middle of the reading window. A good barcode scanner, can be found on places like EBay. You typically will be looking at prices starting from just under US$200, and ranging up to maybe $300. Beware, that loads of barcode scanners are promoted, far cheaper, een as low as $20. Problem about them, is that they are not omni-directional. Seems that certain of the cheaper ones, doesn't recognize all kind of barcodes either; which you difinately want your scanner to do. Also, you want to make sure your scanner does connect via the USB port. A few ones, I have seen, has not this capability, and are more to be viewed as equipment for cash registers etc. A few scanners are BlueTooth/wireless models. This would basically mean, you could bring the scanner with you, to the other side of the room, and scan the CDs in your music rack. I have noe experience with the wireless models, so unless anyone else on the list could give some directions on these, you better go for the wired USB models. Hope this helped you out, a bit. If there is any further unclarities, please feel free to ask. ----- Original Message ----- From: Barbara Sheinbein To: [email protected] Sent: Monday, October 13, 2008 5:00 AM Subject: Bar Code Script Hello Everyone, I was looking at the bar code script. I am not very familiar with this system. Must I use a special bar code scanner or can a regular scanner be used? I sent a message to the script author but so far I have not had a response. Thanks in advance for any answers. Barbara Sheinbein If you reply to this message it will be delivered to the original sender only. If your reply would benefit others on the list and your message is related to GW Micro, then please consider sending your message to [email protected] so the entire list will receive it. All GW-Info messages are archived at http://www.gwmicro.com/gwinfo, and can be searched through and sorted using the search form at the bottom of the page. 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