Welcome to the Readerware Newsletter
Readerware 2.91 is now shipping. Print catalog cards and spine labels,
display the current product listing for any item at your favorite web
site. Cookie maintenance, report writer enhancements, new barcode
scanners and more.
Plus, FAQ "How can I transfer my Readerware database to a new machine?".
Visit the Readerware
Newsletter archive, all back issues of the newsletter are online.
Readerware 2.91 Now Shipping
Release 2.91 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 2.91 is available online:
Readerware
2.91
changes
Some of the highlights in this release.
New report writer templates and report writer enhancements make it
easier to print catalog cards and spine labels.
You can now display the
current product listing for the selected item. Readerware
will open your browser and display the item at the preferred
web site. Select the Web->Display Product menu item or
double click on the row selection icon, the first icon on
each table row. The product page is then opened in your
browser.
Readerware now detects firewall and internet connection
problems during auto-catalog and displays an appropriate
error dialog with suggestions on how to fix the problem.
Improved database statistics, new display format, counts now
include multiple copies. Help specific to each product
explains the values in each field.
New Web->Delete Cookies menu item. Sometimes cookies
can cause extraction problems. Some users may also prefer
to delete cookies periodically due to privacy concerns.
Upgrade Policy
Most of you
know this by now but Readerware 2.91 is a free upgrade. All
2.x upgrades are free.
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.
By the way, Windows users will notice that the CD now has a new menu
system to make it easier to install the products and view the
documentation.
Readerware
CD
Give
Readerware this Holiday
Yes, it's that time of the year again. If you are trying to
decide on the perfect gift for the book, music and movie
lovers on your list, consider Readerware.
Free USB and PS/2 CueCat barcode readers are available. A
bundle of the
three Readerware products and a barcode reader makes a great gift
for the serious collector. Prices start at $85, all prices include
shipping.
You can also give any individual product on CD for just $50.
Either way Readerware makes a great gift idea.
Just follow the link below to place your order. 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. Just select the
gift option when ordering or enter the information in the comments
field. The package can be shipped directly to the
lucky person or to you. International orders are welcome, there is an
additional $10 shipping charge for all orders shipped outside the US
and
Canada.
Check the Readerware barcode reader page too for more gift ideas.
Readerware
Gift Ideas
Great Deals on
Barcode Readers
Printing Catalog Cards and
Spine Labels
Readerware 2.91
includes new report writer templates for printing catalog cards and
spine labels. You can use these new templates as is or modify them to
meet your individual needs.
There are several enhancements to the report writer to support catalog
cards and labels.
There is a new keyword that you can use when printing the Dewey Decimal
Number, [[$DEWEYLABEL]]. Readerware will get the Dewey Decimal Number
for you from The Library of Congress. But The LOC extends the basic
Dewey Decimal Number with additional information. This new keyword will
output the Dewey Decimal Number in standard format.
New keyword modifiers let you print data in uppercase or output partial
fields. For example:
[[$AUTHOR-U-L=3]]
This uses two keyword modifiers. "-U" tells Readerware to output the
data in uppercase. "-L=3" tells Readerware to output only the first
three characters. So this example will print the first three characters
of the author in uppercase.
The new templates have been designed to output standard formats on
different paper stock. You can modify them to add additional fields or
use different paper. New standard formats can also be added so if you
have any requests or better yet can contribute additional templates,
please contact support@readerware.com.
Readerware
Report Writer
How to Print
Cards and Labels
Flic Barcode Scanners
There has been a
lot of interest lately in Flic® barcode scanners. There are two
versions available, a Bluetooth® wireless version and a tethered
version. Both scanners can store about 500 barcodes, you can then
connect them to your computer and transfer the scans right into
Readerware. This means that you can scan your books, music and videos
on your shelves, you don't have to drag them over to your computer.
The difference between the two versions is how they connect to your
computer. The Bluetooth model is wireless, while in range, (30-50
feet), scans go directly into Readerware. If you wander out of range,
the device stores
up to 500 scans and transmits them once the connection is
re-established. With the Bluetooth scanner you can wander around your
house or office scanning as you go.
The tethered scanner connects via a serial or USB cable.
It will
also store up to 500 scans while disconnected. You
then connect the device to your computer and the scans can be sent to
the Readerware auto-catalog wizard.
Flic barcode scanners are very versatile devices. Other portable
barcode readers like the Symbol CS-1504 are great for cataloging your
items. But they don't work when you want to search your database
because you always have to go through an upload process. Both models of
the Flic let you scan on your shelves and
directly into Readerware. They do everything.
Flic scanners are manufactured by Microvision, but they only support
the scanners on newer versions of Windows. Serialio.com is a premier
Microvision partner providing Flic scanner solutions on Windows, Mac OS
X, Linux, Palm OS, Pocket PC, and more. So Serialio.com has a Flic
solution for all Readerware users. They offer complete bundles of both
the Bluetooth and Tethered scanners for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux
users. The bundles contain everything you need, the barcode scanner,
Bluetooth/USB adapters and software. Tethered bundles start at $119.95,
Bluetooth bundles at $239.95.
C-Pen Text and Barcode
Readers
The C-Pen 600C is a
small portable device that can scan plain text and barcodes.
You can use it for scanning text right into Readerware, scan the ISBN
on books that do not have barcodes. Or enter a complete book by
scanning in
the information from the title page.
You can take the C-Pen
to your shelves rather than drag your books, music and videos to your
computer.
This can make a big difference when cataloging your collections with
Readerware.
You can scan the barcode or on older books scan the ISBN. Then
you can connect your C-Pen to your computer and load the barcodes and
ISBNs
into Readerware auto-catalog.
The C-Pen also works when connected to your computer, you can scan
text and barcodes
right into Readerware when cataloging, searching your database etc. The
device connects to your computer via a serial cable (Windows only) or
an IR connection, (Windows or Mac OS X).
As shipped the device includes text reading capabilities only. If
you also want to be
able to scan barcodes, you must download and install the optional
C-Barcode application
from the C-Pen web site. You must toggle between text and barcode
modes. You have to tell the device the kind of
data you are scanning. You can capture both barcodes and text in the
same session, but
you must change the mode. It is not the easiest device to use, but it
will scan everything. Books with and without barcodes, CDs and Videos.
Readerware 2.91 is recommended when using a C-Pen. Readerware 2.91
can handle barcode readers that add leading
zeros to 12 digit US UPC codes. Readerware now recognizes
these and strips the leading 0 when required by a web site.
The C-Pen has Windows and limited Mac OS X support.
Using
a C-Pen 600C with Readerware
C-Pen ordering information (This
site only works with IE)
C-Pen web site
New Display Product Feature
A frequently requested feature is the ability to display the current
product
listing for an item in the Readerware database. Readerware will open
your browser and display the current product listing at your preferred
web site.
There are several uses for this. You might want to check the current
market for the item, you can see if the item is available, current used
pricing etc. If you have just finished a book, CD or movie that you
really enjoyed
you can use this feature to find other titles that you might like. Many
web sites offer "More like this" features, companion items that other
purchasers
have brought, customer reviews etc. And remember if you decide
to buy another item, you can simply drag and drop and it is added to
your database.
You can then use the Readerware shopping cart to check prices and order.
To display the current product listing, double click on the row
selection icon, 
You can also select the Web->Display Product
menu item.
Readerware uses the first selected auto-catalog web site when
displaying the item.
FAQ:
How can I transfer my
Readerware database to a new machine?
Just in case there
is a new computer under the tree this year, here is how you can move
Readerware and your Readerware database to your new system.
Start by downloading the latest version of Readerware from the web
site to your new machine. Install the program and register with your
existing codes. If you no longer have your registration
e-mail, start Readerware on your old machine and select Help->Register.
Your registration name
and code will be displayed. You should now have Readerware running on
your new machine, but no data.
The easiest way to transfer your database to the new machine is to
use the Readerware backup and restore feature.
Start Readerware on your old machine and select File->Backup Database.
The backup wizard will guide you through the process of backing up your
database. This will create a single compressed file containing all your
data.
Transfer the backup file to your new machine. If the machines
are networked it should be simple. If not you can use a CD burner,
e-mail the file to yourself or upload the file to your ISP or an
online service and download on to your new computer. Many ISPs provide
online storage with internet accounts, check with your ISP.
Start Readerware on your new machine and select File->Restore
Database from the Readerware menu. Again the wizard will
guide you through the process of recreating your database on your new
machine. Once the restore completes, select File->Open Database and
all your data will be displayed.
What if your new machine is a new iMac G5? The two machines do not need
to be running the same operating system. You can use this
procedure to transfer Readerware and your database from say a Windows
PC to a Mac or Linux box. There
is no charge for switching operating systems. Just download the
appropriate version of
Readerware and register with your existing codes, they are cross
platform.
Readerware
Download Page
Readerware
Backup Wizard
Readerware
Restore Wizard
A
Useful
site for movie lovers
Ever find yourself
updating your ReaderwareVW database as the credits roll on a movie? You
can plug in any missing or inaccurate information. You wait right to
the end for the copyright date and what do you see?
© MCMLXXXVII
Help is just a web site away.
This site includes a handy Arabic number and Roman numeral convertor.
Just enter MCMLXXXVII and press the button, all will be revealed.
Sites News
The British Library
recently introduced a new integrated catalog replacing several
previously separate sources. Readerware 2.91 includes support for the
new British Library site.
The Library of Congress recently relocated one of their sites. With
Readerware 2.91 The Library of Congress [1] site is now working again.
Readerware now supports ISBN [ES]. They list books published in Spain
since 1972.
Michael's Movie Mayhem is now up to over 53,000 Region 1 DVD releases
and counting. With data from IMDb it is a great movie cataloging
resource.
Drag and drop support for Real Groovy [NZ] is now available.
Be sure to check out the following sites. If you like their listings,
support the sites.
British Library
Integrated Catalogue
Michael's Movie Mayhem
Real
Groovy [NZ]
ISBN [ES]
Readerware Support
There is nothing more important than answering your questions. You can
always e-mail support@readerware.com and expect a reply in a couple of
hours. 24 hours maximum. Unfortunately e-mail communications are not as
reliable as they once were. Spam and the various schemes people have
dreamed up to combat spam are interfering with normal e-mail
communications.
If you have not received a response to your support request within 24
hours, something has gone wrong.
- Check any Spam filters, the response may be there.
- Check with your ISP or system administrator. Sites are
implementing various defense
mechanisms which often block legitimate e-mail. For example AOL and
Earthlink are still squabbling and this has resulted in AOL blocking
all
e-mail from Earthlink as Spam.
- If you are using a challenge system, please check to see if your
response is being held. I do try and respond to challenge e-mail, but
it can mean your response is delayed.
- If you are using AOL, check your Mail
Controls.
If you have not received a response within 24 hours, don't wait any
longer, send a follow up e-mail. If possible try and include an
alternate e-mail address. I will re-send your answer from another
e-mail server to all addresses you specify.
Obviously Spam is a real problem. But it is important to
realize that none of the defense mechanisms are anywhere near 100%
accurate. There is nothing more frustrating for you than feeling
ignored, you aren't being ignored. Every e-mail you send is answered
promptly. From this end there is nothing more frustrating than taking
the time to create a reply that is never seen then getting a "why
aren't you responding" e-mail a couple of days later.
All support e-mail is answered within 24 hours, if you don't get that
response, check your anti-spam measures and try again.
Thanks.
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.
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