-----Original Message-----
From: J.J. Meddaugh [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 7:57 PM
To: David
Cc: gw Micro Mailing LIst
Subject: Re: Bar Code Script
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 <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: C. Richcreek Enterprises <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: WE English mailing list <mailto:[email protected]>
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 <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: David <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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 <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: WE English mailing list
<mailto:[email protected]>
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
<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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
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