What is the Smart Card Reader good for??

[Neo_Geo]

I recently put a new system together with a Soyo Dragon+ which includes a smart card reader (along with a couple front usb ports which are VERY useful)

Anyway, exactly what is the smart card reader good for????

 

[cleverhandle]

I know that it can handle authentication, i.e. you can setup Windows to require both a password and the correct smart card to login. But I have no idea how to set this up, or what costs this requires. It even works under Linux, which is very cool. Pretty sure the smart cards can do other things too - but I don't know the details.

 

[Bovinicus]

It can read smart cards... Some digital cameras use smart cards. They are basically memory cards if I am not mistaken.

 

[cleverhandle]

<< It can read smart cards... Some digital cameras use smart cards. They are basically memory cards if I am not mistaken. >>



That's "Smart Media," I think. Which is different. Maybe?

Ah, I'll go look up some stuff. Back in a bit.

 

[Informant X]

Ever hear of a H-Card?

 

[cleverhandle]

OK, found a bit of stuff. Looks like Smart Cards can be used for several purposes and that their API's are still under heavy development. There are several different physical specifications and a bunch of different developers and implementations. Primarily they seem to be used for authentication (like I mentioned) or for storing small amounts of data, like address lists or account balances. The bandwidth of the card is small, so they are definitely different than the Smart Media used by digicams and such. If you don't already have one from somewhere, you're probably not gonna buy one - they seem to come in 5 packs, at least, and cost around $100/pack. Check out the Usenet FAQ here.

 

[Moonbeam]

My Soyo Dragon + comes with a smart card that I can install. So far that's all it's been good for. I didn't install it.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

<< My Soyo Dragon + comes with a smart card that I can install. So far that's all it's been good for. I didn't install it. >>

yup, just looks sexy next to my front usb ports, reader isnt hooked up.

 

[Bovinicus]

$100 for five of them? Sounds overpriced to me...

 

[goog]

AMEX Blue
I don't have an AMEX card or a card reader, but there's a use for it I guess.

 

[avedis]

<< Ever hear of a H-Card? >>



H Cards... Hmmm.