The Readerware Newsletter

Readerware on a PocketPC? Barcode readers and laptops, the new Readerware tutorial. Plus "The Dumbest Invention in the History of Computers", read on.

Readerware 2.27 Now Shipping

Release 2.27 is now available for all products (Readerware, ReaderwareAW and ReaderwareVW), and all platforms, (Windows, Mac OS X and Linux). A full list of the changes included in 2.27 is available online:

• Readerware 2.27 changes

I am still working my way done that list of requests. A number of updates and problem fixes are included in 2.27.

• Download Readerware 2.27

The Readerware Tutorial

The new Readerware tutorial was recently posted on the web site. It is intended for new users, but hopefully experienced Readerware users will get something out of it too.

The tutorial takes you through Readerware auto-catalog and browser drag and drop support. It shows you exactly how to catalog your books, music and videos. Strategies for cataloging your collections and maintaining your database.

It's quick and painless, so check it out. You can follow the link from the home page or select the tutorial from the Readerware help menu.

• Readerware Tutorial

Readerware and the PocketPC

Readerware is available for Palm devices, but some of you have also asked about PocketPC support. Currently there is no native version of Readerware for the PocketPC, but that doesn't mean you can't transfer your Readerware database to a PocketPC device.

The PocketPC includes a mini version of Excel. Readerware export capabilities allow you to easily transfer your Readerware database to an Excel spreadsheet. This means that you can transfer your database to any PocketPC device, search and browse your Readerware database on the go.

Readerware Export

You do this once, then select the view whenever you export your data.

Run the Readerware export wizard, create a TAB delimited file called "Excel.txt". Select the All items and Current View Columns options in the wizard. This will create a tab delimited file containing the specified columns for all items in your database. You can import this file into Excel.

• Readerware Views
• Readerware Export Wizard

Excel Import

You are now ready to build your spreadsheet, start Excel.

Select Data->Get External Data->Import Text File from the Excel menu.

Go through the Excel text import wizard, accept the defaults.

Once the data is displayed, size the columns, format the data as needed. Now save your spreadsheet.

Close Excel.

• StarOffice

PocketPC Transfer

Connect your PocketPC device and start the Active Sync application.

Click on the Explore button and navigate to the PocketPC folder where you want to store the spreadsheet.

Now open Windows Explorer and navigate to the Excel spreadsheet you just created.

Drag and drop to transfer and convert the file.

Start the File Explorer on your PocketPC device.

Click on the transferred file, it is loaded into Excel.

You can browse your database in Excel and search on any column.

Given the limited size of the screen, you may not be able to display the author and title together. You might find yourself forever scrolling the display. Setting the zoom to 75% normally fixes this.

That's it, your Readerware database is now on your PocketPC device and you can take it with you. Once you have set up the process, transferring the database again is a lot easier.

Readerware, The Gift

Yes, it's that time of the year again. If you are trying to decide on the perfect gift for the book, music and video collectors on your list, consider Readerware on CD.

You can give a single product or one of the product bundles.

Just place your order from the Readerware web site. When ordering as a gift, please be sure to include the name of the recipient so that the license key will be generated in the correct name. When ordering via RegSoft, select the gift option. When ordering via PayPal use the special instructions field to indicate that it is a gift.

In both cases, the CD will be shipped to you.

• The Readerware CD
• Order online

Barcode Readers and Laptops

Using a barcode reader with a laptop is a bit of a hit and miss affair.

A laptop will often ignore the external keyboard port unless it sees a real keyboard. CueCat suggests a number of ways you can reconfigure your Laptop so that it will see the CueCat. These are listed in the Readerware FAQ. Sometimes these will work, but often they don't.

One solution is to hookup a real keyboard but these can be bulky.

Another solution is a keyboard terminator. A Readerware user recently reported on the keyboard terminator from Wasp BarCode. I have tested this device on an IBM Thinkpad using both a CueCat and a CCD barcode reader.

Typically you will need a Y cable for your laptop if it has a combined keyboard/mouse port. Plug the Y cable into the PS/2 port on your laptop. Connect the CueCat to the keyboard leg of the Y cable. Connect the keyboard terminator to the keyboard socket on the CueCat Y cable. Restart your computer and it should now be able to see the CueCat.

If you have a USB port on your laptop, the USB CueCat is probably a better idea. If you can't find one at a local Radio Shack, you can order one directly from Digital Convergence.

• Readerware FAQ, Cuecat and Laptops
• Wasp Barcode Keyboard Terminator
• Order a CueCat

"The Dumbest Invention in the History of Computers"

D Magazine has an interesting article about its home town critter the CueCat.

The CueCat has not lived up to the expectations, but "The Dumbest Invention in the History of Computers"? Decide for yourself.

• The Huckster, The Suckers, The Reviews

Readerware for Mac OS X 10.1

Readerware 2.27 has been fully tested with Mac OS X 10.1. Apple have addressed a number of issues with this upgrade to OS X. You will find Readerware is faster, repainting is smoother. If you are a Mac user, it is worth the upgrade to OS X 10.1.

Starting with 2.27, Readerware is now using the Apple Installer for the Mac OS X distributions. This offers a simple and fast install for all products including the Readerware Server.

• Readerware for Mac OS X
• Mac OS X

Your Feedback

Your feedback is always welcome and does make a difference. Please send in your comments. E-Mail support@readerware.com.

Thanks for your support.