Date: Mon, 29 Mar 1999 20:22:51 -0600 From: Don Read <sysop@calcasieu.com> To: David Kelly <dkelly@HiWAAY.net> Cc: <freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG> Subject: Re: generating barcode, and general barcode issues Message-ID: <3.0.5.32.19990329202251.0092bdf0@pop.calcasieu.com> In-Reply-To: <199903300033.SAA37316@nospam.hiwaay.net>
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back on 06:33 PM 3/29/99 -0600, you said: >This isn't exactly a FreeBSD question, but I intend to use FreeBSD for >this application. And this is the best group of people I know to ask. > >Looking for suggestions on how to generate barcode output. Think >Postscript can be assumed. But understand there are many different >barcode formats and haven't found a reference describing why one would >be better than another. > Way back when, I wrote some inventory apps that generated barcode labels and used a hand-held reader to track shipments. The main symbols to consider are: UPC/EAN - fixed format, difficult to produce 2of5 - numeric only, no check digit, easy to produce Code39 - most flexible (IMO), A-Z1-9, check digit, easy to produce. Just about any reader will handle all of these symbols. for more info: <http://ie.www.ecn.purdue.edu/~tanchoco/ADC/BarCodes/bc.toc.html>; As for generating the labels, you can install a font cartridge for HP printers, also many fonts availible for the Windows boxes (free and otherwise): <http://www.zebex.com/free.htm>; And last resort is write a program to print em, not difficult but rather tedious to get the spacing that "scans well". >If it helps, the smallest item I plan to be tracking with this barcode >system is a 4mm DDS tape. If possible I'll use the "small label end" >where the write protect notch also exists. This way tapes could be >inventoried while stacked on the shelf. That is if the reader can scan >thru the plastic box. If not, we'll put stickers on the box too. Yes, a contact reader is going to have problems reading thru the plastic, a laser scanner might fare a little better. Also consider that the height of the barcode is a redundancy factor, should a line get damaged you might have scanable portion above or below the midline. the edge of a 4mm cartridge doesn't give a lot of margin for this. > >Any advice as to guns/wands for reading barcode? Some have an async >serial interface, some plug in between the keyboard and computer. >Expect my choice of barcode format will largely be driven by the >selection of barcode reader. Not really, most will read a number of formats. If your tape stack is in reach of the machine and you don't have any other needs a keyboard "wedge" would do fine; but I suspect you'll find other uses and a hand-held gun would serve you better (at a higher cost, of course). Symbol Technologies, Pericon (SP?), ... My prefered choice (back in those days) was a programable hand-held laser from Hand-Held Products in North Carolina, not sure if they are in business any more ... Regards, -- Don Read sysop@calcasieu.com EDP Manager dread@texas.net Calcasieu Lumber Co. Austin TX - There cannot be a crisis next week. My schedule is already full. To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-questions" in the body of the message
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