The CueCat® Bar Code Wand Reader

While supplies last, Readerware is giving away FREE CueCats with selected product bundles.

For help on installing and using your CueCat with Readerware, download and print the Readerware CueCat Manual. This is an Acrobat® document.

Millions of CueCats were given away at Radio Shack stores and with magazine subscriptions. They are still out there. Search around, check your neighbours.

Shop for CueCats on eBay...

You will find modified and unmodified CueCats available, either will work with Readerware.

You can use a CueCat with any Readerware product to automatically catalog your books, music and videos.

The CueCat is available in PS/2 keyboard wedge and USB versions. Mac OS X users should get the USB version.

It really couldn't be simpler to install a keyboard wedge CueCat. Follow the instructions that come with your free CueCat reader. Basically:

• Power down your PC
• Unplug your keyboard from the back of your PC
• Plug the CueCat into the keyboard socket on your PC
• Plug your keyboard into the socket on the CueCat tail
• Power on your PC

You may have seen recent articles in the media about security and privacy concerns with the CueCat software:

• San Francisco Chronicle: Bar Code Scanner for Web Addresses Under Scrutiny by Privacy Groups
• CNET: Privacy group slams Web tracking "cat"

You do not have to install the software that comes with your CueCat in order to use it with Readerware. Therefore none of these privacy concerns are relevant when using the CueCat with Readerware.

I have put a CueCat through quite a bit of testing. It is not going to replace my CCD gun reader, it's still the easiest to use and most reliable. But the CueCat is a surprisingly good product. It is shaped like a cat with 2 red LED's shining out of its mouth. Simply line up its paws with the bottom of the bar code and drag it across. OK so it sounds and looks pretty silly, but it is a bar code reader, it does work very well and you can't beat the price.

Disclaimer: Readerware is in no way affiliated with Digital Convergence Corporation, makers of the CueCat. CueCat® is (or was) a registered trademark of Digital Convergence Corporation.