Are barcode scanners a universal thing?

[LuckyTaxi]

Let me explain. Are they all the same as far as reading a barcode?
I'm in the early stages of putting together a POS system for our lunch program at work.
Students have an ID card with a barcode on the back of it. It's 5 digits long and our librarian
uses it for her cataloging system when they check books in and out.

I figure I'll put something together in PHP/mysql, but I wasnt too sure of the barcode scanner.
Also, with a touchscreen system, it acts like a keyboard, correct?

 

[DaveSimmons]

I've seen a couple of bar code / barcode threads in Software this year, you might do an advanced search of archived threads there, see who posted, and PM them.

Not me, I've never had to do barcode work.

 

[Zepper]

There are different barcode formats and not all scanners can decode all formats. So if they are using a fairly common format for generating the barcode for the card, most scanners will be able to read it.
Touch screens are usually programmable and aren't necessarily the same as keyboards.
.bh.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Touch screens are usually programmable and aren't necessarily the same as keyboards.
.bh.

Hmmmm ...I rthought a touchscreen was nothing more than just a monitor that allows you
to navigate the interface by just touching the screen. I just plan on making the system
nice and easy to use. NOTHING FANCY.

I'll have buttons for the menu items along with the necessary buttons to do the maintenance and all of that on the spot. To bring up the kids account, they'll either scan the barcode on the back of the ID or bring it up by the student's last name. Once her account comes up, the lunch lady will key in what the kid bought and it'll have a running tab inside a database.

 

[Zepper]

You are right on the touch screen, but you do have to program what the screen areas mean. I would suppose a touch screen would come with software for setting up the relationships. And there are devices out now that can turn any monitor into a touch screen.
. Then there is the ancient, but cheap, light-pen technology where you use a wired stylus to select the spots on the screen. Much cheaper than touch-screen technology.
. Or you could go with barcode technology - just print up barcode key sheets as needed, put them in mylar sheet protectors and use cheap barcode wands to scan them. Probably the cheapest, most flexible and simplest technology of all... Since you are using barcode for ID, why not use it for everything?
.bh.

 

[slirp]

Originally posted by: Zepper
There are different barcode formats and not all scanners can decode all formats. So if they are using a fairly common format for generating the barcode for the card, most scanners will be able to read it.
Touch screens are usually programmable and aren't necessarily the same as keyboards.
.bh.

Hit the nail right on the head. not to mention you have 2D bar codes out there now and all kinds of good stuff.

As far as your plain vanilla bar codes they're pretty universal and yes you should be able to find what you need easily.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: Zepper
You are right on the touch screen, but you do have to program what the screen areas mean. I would suppose a touch screen would come with software for setting up the relationships. And there are devices out now that can turn any monitor into a touch screen.
. Then there is the ancient, but cheap, light-pen technology where you use a wired stylus to select the spots on the screen. Much cheaper than touch-screen technology.
. Or you could go with barcode technology - just print up barcode key sheets as needed, put them in mylar sheet protectors and use cheap barcode wands to scan them. Probably the cheapest, most flexible and simplest technology of all... Since you are using barcode for ID, why not use it for everything?
.bh.

With the touchscreen, what actually needs configuring? i've seen them sold on tigerdirect for less than $600. Isnt the entire screen sensitive to one's touch? I figure the only configuration is calibrating the screen by touching different locations on the screen.