Bar Code Readers
Wherever you enter an ISBN or UPC in Readerware, you can scan in a
bar code instead. You can use a bar code reader to catalog
your
books,
music and
videos
with Readerware Auto-Catalog. You can use
a bar code reader to search the web using the Readerware web
browser. You can use a bar code reader to retrieve an item
already cataloged in your Readerware database.
There are two basic types of bar code readers,
You may well have seen both types in use at
your local book stores:
- Wand Readers - These are often shaped like a large pen,
you drag the tip over the bar code on the book jacket. This
is the lowest priced type of bar code reader available but is
reliable and effective. The
CueCat® is a wand bar code reader.
The only possible downside to this
type of reader is that the wand comes into physical contact
with the book jacket. This can result in some scoring of
the jacket after repeated use. However I have scanned the
same book over a hundred times without any damage to the
jacket. However for ease of use you can't beat the
CCD or gun bar code reader.
- CCD or Gun Readers - These are shaped like a gun
and to scan a book, you simply point it at the bar code
and pull the trigger. There is no physical contact between
the scanner and the book. These are slightly more expensive
and again are very reliable and effective. CCD readers do
limit the size of the bar code label you can scan but this
is not normally a problem if you are just scanning books.
Readerware can use any bar code reader that inputs the bar
code characters via the keyboard. These are often referred
to as wedge readers as they wedge themselves between your
keyboard and your computer. Some of these devices are
"driverless", they are hardware only. Others require a
software driver. Readerware will use either type but you
must ensure that if you select the driver type that a driver
is available for your operating system.
The hardware only bar code readers that connect between the
keyboard and computer, cannot normally be used with a laptop
computer. For laptop computers you need a bar code reader
that connects to a serial port. This will require driver
support.
The following sections look at some specific bar code readers,
their advantages and disadvantages.
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