The Readerware Newsletter

Readerware 2.74 is now shipping. Mac OS X 10.2, (Jaguar) support, portable barcode reader updates, report writer improvements and general fixes.

Free CueCats are back, great deals on barcode readers, introducing the Readerware Component and more.

Readerware 2.74 Now Shipping

Release 2.74 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 2.74 is available online:

Readerware 2.74 changes

Some of the highlights in this release.

Apple recently introduced the latest version of OS X code named Jaguar. There were some problems running Readerware on Jaguar but these have all been fixed. So if you are planning on converting to Jaguar, be sure to upgrade to Readerware 2.74 first.

Some improvements in the portable barcode reader support introduced in Readerware 2.72. There were some problems waking up the reader and uploading a large number of barcodes. Readerware can now handle the full capacity of both supported scanners.

The Readerware report writer can now access loan information and a new sample loan template has been added to all products.

A couple of important bug fixes in this release, so it is recommended that all users upgrade. There are fixes to he Readerware server, UIEE exports and the shopping cart.

Download Readerware 2.74

Sun JRE Upgrade

Readerware 2.74 for Windows is shipping with the Sun 1.4.0 Java Runtime. Sun have just released version 1.4.1. It looks very good, a number of bugs fixed, some font changes. If all goes well with my testing, the next version of Readerware will switch to 1.4.1 on both Windows and Linux.

Upgrade Policy

Most of you know this by now but Readerware 2.74 is a free upgrade. All 2.x upgrades are free. I haven't been spelling this out in the newsletter and every issue I get few e-mails asking how much the upgrade will cost.

You can always download the latest 2.x release for free. If you ever want the latest version on CD, you can order it from the web site for $12.

Readerware CD

Free CueCats are back!

The days when you could walk into your local Radio Shack store and pick up a free CueCat barcode reader and gone, probably forever. But Readerware has obtained a limited supply of CueCats, both USB and PS/2 versions are available, your choice.

These are original, unmodified CueCats. They will work with all Readerware products on all platforms. PS/2 CueCats will work on all IBM desktop PCs with a keyboard port, regardless of which operating system is installed. The USB version will work on PCs with a USB port and USB support in the OS, (Windows 98 or higher, Mac OS X and Linux). Mac OS X users must select the USB version.

See the FAQ for more information on using a CueCat with Readerware.

These are free with selected Readerware packages. Supplies are limited, if you are looking for a free CueCat, order now. The USB CueCats seem to be going the fastest. You can order below or from the web site.

International orders are accepted for an additional $10 shipping.

Readerware Standard Edition Bundle on CD with Free CueCat.

This includes all three products, Readerware, ReaderwareAW and ReaderwareVW on 1 CD. Windows, Mac OS X and Linux versions are included.

All for just $85.00 (US Orders), $95 (International orders). Includes shipping and a FREE CueCat.

Order Readerware Standard Edition with FREE CueCat.

Readerware Palm Edition Bundle on CD with Free CueCat.

This includes Readerware Standard Edition plus the Palm version of all three products.

All for just $95.00 (US Orders), $105 (International orders). Includes shipping and a FREE CueCat.

Order Readerware Palm Edition with FREE CueCat.

Readerware Client/Server Home Edition Bundle on CD with Free CueCat.

This includes all the features of Readerware Palm Edition plus the Readerware server. You can run all three products in client/server mode.

All for just $135.00 (US Orders), $145 (International orders). Includes shipping and a FREE CueCat.

Order Readerware C/S Home Edition with FREE CueCat.

Great Deals on Barcode Readers

Wand barcode readers like the CueCat are not for everyone. If you do a lot of scanning, a CCD barcode reader will make your life a lot easier.

Just point and click, no dragging the scanner across the barcode. With a wand reader sometimes you need to swipe the barcode multiple before it is read, CCD scanners get it right the first time. CCD scanners are more accurate and faster to use.

The only problem with a CCD barcode scanner was the price. But now you can order the ID Tech EconoScan CCD Barcode Reader from the Readerware web site. Just $69 for the PS/2 keyboard wedge version and $89 for the USB version. The PS/2 version will work on all IBM desktop PCs with a keyboard port, regardless of which operating system is installed. The USB version will work on PCs with a USB port and USB support in the OS, (Windows 98 or higher, Mac OS X and Linux). Mac OS X users must select the USB version.

Order an EconoScan CCD Barcode Reader Now

There are a lot of different CCD barcode readers available, virtually all will work with Readerware products. But I don't think you will find a CCD reader for less.

The EconoScan CCD barcode reader does come with an unusual set of defaults, but these can be easily changed. All you have to do is print the Readerware EconoScan configuration page. This is an Adobe Acrobat document. Print it out, then simply start at the top of the page and move down scanning each barcode. That's it, your EconoScan is now configured to work with all Readerware products.

Readerware EconoScan Configuration Page

There are more great barcode reader deals at the Readerware web site:

Great Deals on Barcode Readers

How many lives does a CueCat have?

A while back I reported that the CueCat was dead. Digital Convergence had disappeared, their web site was offline, Radio Shack had disposed of their CueCat inventory and it looked like it was all over for the CueCat.

But recently the Digital Convergence web site has reappeared. So far there is just a place holder, but maybe the CueCat has one more life left. Let's hope they come up with a better business plan than they did last time.

Digital Convergence

Portable Barcode Readers

As mentioned earlier Readerware 2.74 fixes a few problems with the new portable barcode reader support. In particular you can now upload a large number of barcodes.

Another issue has surfaced. The CS-2000 barcode reader has been spotted with different versions of software installed on the scanner itself. Some CS-2000 readers will work with Readerware right out of the box, others won't. The difference is in the default configuration and how the CS-2000 handles barcodes.

There are numerous options when scanning barcodes. For example, when scanning the barcode on a mass market paperback, you can set up the reader to send just the UPC code or the UPC + supplement. Readerware always needs the full barcode. The problem is that some CS-2000 models send the full barcode by default, others only send the first part.

But regardless of what model you have, you can reconfigure it so that it will work with Readerware. All you have to do is print the Readerware CS-2000 configuration page. This is an Adobe Acrobat document. Print it out, then simply start at the top of the page and move down scanning each barcode. That's it, your CS-2000 is now configured to work with all Readerware products.

Readerware CS-2000 Configuration Page

After more extensive testing in real world situations, I have better estimates of the capacities of the CS-1504 and CS-2000 scanners. Specification sheets don't always tell the full story.

In my tests the CS-1504 held about 160 barcodes and the CS-2000 held 350. So the CS-2000 has at least double the capacity of the CS-1504.

The Readerware Component

A beta test of the Readerware Component is just wrapping up. Just what is the Readerware Component?

Why are you using Readerware? Chances are it has to do with the Readerware auto-catalog feature? Feed in an ISBN/UPC and Readerware will search the web and build a database for you, complete with cover art. The Readerware component encapsulates this feature, the ability to search by ISBN/UPC and extract as much information as possible about a book, CD or video. The Readerware Component enables other developers to license this technology and integrate it into their applications. So look for "Powered by Readerware" applications in the months ahead.

Several users have asked if there would be personal licenses available for the Readerware Component. This would enable anybody to develop their own applications around the Readerware Component. It is written in such a way that it can be accessed from virtually any language or development environment, stand alone or as a server. Data is returned in XML.

So licensing for The Readerware Component will be available to both commercial developers who wish to sell products built with the Readerware Component and in-house developers who are building custom applications for their own use.

Watch for more information on the Readerware Component in future newsletters. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the Readerware Component, please contact support@readerware.com.

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.