Anyone has experience with barcode scanner? I need one and has no
idea how it functions on a PDA. I am using Dell Axim 50v. Thanks in
advance

bunanson

http://www.mobileplanet.com/p.aspx?i=119895

I got one of these a couple of years ago for my iPAQ. It works pretty
well although during prolonged use I needed to "reconnect" the two
devices. The other thing you need to be aware of (and it has been a
couple of years, so it might have changes) is that you get the PPC
software for it. Mine came only with the PC version. I complained to the
company and they sent me the PPC free of charge, so they are an honest
company.

Jim

nospam wrote:
> Anyone has experience with barcode scanner? I need one and has no
> idea how it functions on a PDA. I am using Dell Axim 50v. Thanks in
> advance
>
> bunanson

Suggest searching for bardcode options at socket... they have a number
of ppc solutions such as

http://www.socketcom.com/product/IS5304-732.asp

These and others, come with a device driver that, once you trigger a
scan, simply types the results of the scan into the current
application.. for example, a blank word document.

If you post what you plan to use it for, that would help with answering
questions.

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

I have one of the Socket SD ones that Beverly referenced, and it works
pretty well in an Axim 50v. Something that you may or may not know is the
difference between types of scanners. There are CCD and laser ones and the
latter are typically more expensive. The CCD ones, like the Socket I have,
depend on ambient light to read the BarCode. It kind of takes a picture of
the BC and processes it. With low light it doesn't work too well. There is
the usual red line it projects, but that is just for aiming. The laser ones
actually illuminate the BC with the laser and then read that reflection.
Better results in low light. I noted that at MobilePlanet they also sell a
laser SD BC Scanner from Socket as well as a CF one, which should work in
your Axim as well. I would go to Socket and Flic's sites to get more in
depth info on the compatibility and capability on the various options,
rather than depend on what is written at MobilePlanet. For purchasing
though, MP is a reputable dealer. I've had a lot of dealings with them.

--
Sven
MVP - Mobile Devices
"bunanson (nospam)" <******.com> wrote in message
news:9m1rk2tvg4h55ad94kvn75vjvrb6q7jph6@4ax.com...
> Anyone has experience with barcode scanner? I need one and has no
> idea how it functions on a PDA. I am using Dell Axim 50v. Thanks in
> advance
>
> bunanson

On Sun, 05 Nov 2006 11:09:28 -0600, "Beverly Howard
[Ms-MVP/MobileDev]" <BevNoSpamBevHoward.com> wrote:

>Suggest searching for bardcode options at socket... they have a number
>of ppc solutions such as
>
>http://www.socketcom.com/product/IS5304-732.asp
>
>These and others, come with a device driver that, once you trigger a
>scan, simply types the results of the scan into the current
>application.. for example, a blank word document.
>
>If you post what you plan to use it for, that would help with answering
>questions.
>
>Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]


I need to scan a barcode sticker into an excel spreadsheet for further
processing. I have been hand typed those "stickers" everyday for the
last 6 mos, I would like my PPC to do it for me. I am talking about
20-30 stickers everyday. Any experience will be greatly appreciated.
I do know some rudimentary programming with the excel. Another topic,
I found out the PPC excel is very waterdown compare to the desktop
Excel, some functions are not available, for example, the look-up
function, which is very important for the layman to enter info. Any
suggestions too? Basically, I am enterring info and would like a
"menu" of choice from the PPC Excel using the lookup function, I can
do it with the desktop Excel, not the PPC version. Maybe suggestion
for another spreadsheet other than Excel? Thanks in advance.


Bunanson

>> excel <<

With the socket scanners, after installing the drivers and inserting the
scanner, it should be as simple as;

open the spreadsheet
tap the cell
trigger the scan

I don't have it installed at the moment, but seem to remember you can
assign a hardware button to trigger the scan as well as other options.

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

>> tap the cell <<

tap the cell or "find" field

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

On Sun, 5 Nov 2006 11:52:35 -0700, "Sven" <sejohannsen********.com>
wrote:

>I have one of the Socket SD ones that Beverly referenced, and it works
>pretty well in an Axim 50v. Something that you may or may not know is the
>difference between types of scanners. There are CCD and laser ones and the
>latter are typically more expensive. The CCD ones, like the Socket I have,
>depend on ambient light to read the BarCode. It kind of takes a picture of
>the BC and processes it. With low light it doesn't work too well. There is
>the usual red line it projects, but that is just for aiming. The laser ones
>actually illuminate the BC with the laser and then read that reflection.
>Better results in low light. I noted that at MobilePlanet they also sell a
>laser SD BC Scanner from Socket as well as a CF one, which should work in
>your Axim as well. I would go to Socket and Flic's sites to get more in
>depth info on the compatibility and capability on the various options,
>rather than depend on what is written at MobilePlanet. For purchasing
>though, MP is a reputable dealer. I've had a lot of dealings with them.

Thanks for the info. That is very helpful. I am thinking to get a CF
5E, which is a CMOS type barcode scanner. I am kind of wonder the
difference from a series 5 vs a series 6 scanner. The "sticker" I
need to scan into my PPC Excel has quite some information and that
needs to go into the right category, i.e., last name, first name, DOB,
admission date and room number etc, I sure hope the programming is not
going to be too demanding. Again, this NG is marvelous to have so
much info in less than 24 hrs of posting and is frequent by some many
knowlegeble professionals. Thanks for you all.


Bunanson

On Sun, 05 Nov 2006 22:50:59 -0600, "Beverly Howard
[Ms-MVP/MobileDev]" <BevNoSpamBevHoward.com> wrote:

> >> tap the cell <<
>
>tap the cell or "find" field
>
>Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]
Thanks for the quick post, Beverly. I have ordered a Socket CF 5E
scanner. I will post my experience shortly.

TIA,

Bunanson

I have been using my Flic scanner to do exactly what you describe. works
like a champ. Select the cell and scan. It even moves to the next cell
for you

nospam wrote:
> On Sun, 05 Nov 2006 11:09:28 -0600, "Beverly Howard
> [Ms-MVP/MobileDev]" <BevNoSpamBevHoward.com> wrote:
>
>> Suggest searching for bardcode options at socket... they have a number
>> of ppc solutions such as
>>
>> http://www.socketcom.com/product/IS5304-732.asp
>>
>> These and others, come with a device driver that, once you trigger a
>> scan, simply types the results of the scan into the current
>> application.. for example, a blank word document.
>>
>> If you post what you plan to use it for, that would help with answering
>> questions.
>>
>> Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]
>
>
> I need to scan a barcode sticker into an excel spreadsheet for further
> processing. I have been hand typed those "stickers" everyday for the
> last 6 mos, I would like my PPC to do it for me. I am talking about
> 20-30 stickers everyday. Any experience will be greatly appreciated.
> I do know some rudimentary programming with the excel. Another topic,
> I found out the PPC excel is very waterdown compare to the desktop
> Excel, some functions are not available, for example, the look-up
> function, which is very important for the layman to enter info. Any
> suggestions too? Basically, I am enterring info and would like a
> "menu" of choice from the PPC Excel using the lookup function, I can
> do it with the desktop Excel, not the PPC version. Maybe suggestion
> for another spreadsheet other than Excel? Thanks in advance.
>
>
> Bunanson

>> I am thinking to get a CF 5E, which is a CMOS type barcode scanner. <<

Since barcode hardware is expensive, may I suggest you reconsider
getting an SD slot device?

Your Axim is one of very few ppc's currently available with a cf slot,
so, when you upgrade or replace the device, a cf scanner may not be
available or severely restrict your replacement hardware choices.

As everything in life, the choice will be a compromise, price, size,
fragility, orientation, performance, extra memory location, etc, but, an
you tell I have a number of CF devices and my current ppc has no CF slot ;-)

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

On Sun, 05 Nov 2006 06:39:45 GMT, bunanson(nospam)******.com wrote:

>Anyone has experience with barcode scanner? I need one and has no
>idea how it functions on a PDA. I am using Dell Axim 50v. Thanks in
>advance

Most scanners come with a "keyboard wedge". This is a program that
takes the output of the scanner and mimics a keyboard to send the
results to whatever window has focus. It works wonderfully, so long as
the user makes sure the right window has focus before triggering a
scan. It can get interesting if the wrong window has focus (think
about sending random keystrokes to a menu).

I fear this description is a bit technical for some. If it is, I don't
think I can do better. But I really think it explains behavior that
might otherwise be puzzling. So I hope someone else will translate
and/or folks will work a bit to understand it.


>
>bunanson

-----------------------------------------
To reply to me, remove the underscores (_) from my email address (and please indicate which newsgroup and message).

Robert E. Zaret, eMVP
PenFact, Inc.
20 Park Plaza, Suite 478
Boston, MA 02116
www.penfact.com

On Mon, 06 Nov 2006 04:54:43 GMT, bunanson(nospam)******.com wrote:

>On Sun, 5 Nov 2006 11:52:35 -0700, "Sven" <sejohannsen********.com>
>wrote:
>

clip

>
>Thanks for the info. That is very helpful. I am thinking to get a CF
>5E, which is a CMOS type barcode scanner. I am kind of wonder the
>difference from a series 5 vs a series 6 scanner. The "sticker" I
>need to scan into my PPC Excel has quite some information and that
>needs to go into the right category, i.e., last name, first name, DOB,
>admission date and room number etc,

I suspect you are describing a 2D barcode. If the barcode is a series
of parallel bars, it is 1D; these usually contain one item. If the
barcode has a whole bunch of dots, it is a 2D barcode. If you can get
hold of a FedEx liable, you'll see one of each. Massachusetts driver
licenses also have one of each.

If you are trying to read a 2D barcode, you better make sure you can
get a scanner that handles them.


> I sure hope the programming is not
>going to be too demanding.

I'm not sure what will happen if you try to scan a 2D barcode into a
spreadsheet. So I hope someone with experience chimes in.

Several companies make software that collects data, including
barcodes. We definitely support 2D barcodes. I'm very proud of our
products; we're definitely easy to use, and we're not terribly
expensive. But if this is really just for you, we might be a bit
steep.


>
>
>Bunanson

-----------------------------------------
To reply to me, remove the underscores (_) from my email address (and please indicate which newsgroup and message).

Robert E. Zaret, eMVP
PenFact, Inc.
20 Park Plaza, Suite 478
Boston, MA 02116
www.penfact.com

>> 2 D barcodes <<

Great point...

Just heard about http://www.quickmark.com.tw/English/about.html
yesterday and this approach is also of interest as the concept (using
the ppc camera as a barcode capture method) has been around a while and
this is the first consumer software I have seen for the process.

Among other things, you can print your own 2D barcodes for info such as
your telephone number or VCard info... see;

http://diy.quickmark.com.tw/sa_eng/?c=306

Robert, I would be _very_ interested to know if your scanners can read
these barcodes or if they are in a propritary format.

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

Just noted, there are two format options

http://diy.quickmark.com.tw/sa_eng/?c=104

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]