Re: barcode software reade

On 9/24/2010 11:10 AM, Rahul wrote:
[...] or the
manufacturers that cut back on serial ports coz' nothing anymore uses them.

Hmmm, sitting here at my desk and looking around, I find, among others:

- my Royal business postal scale requires a serial interface to update its
database every time UPS, USPS, FedEx, et al rates change

- my SIM reader/writer <http://thadlabs.com/PIX/Ada_SIM_top.jpg> requires
a serial interface controlled by a Python script

- my ganged EPROM programmer requires a serial interface for data up/download
and control

- my Plug computers <http://thadlabs.com/PIX/SheevaPlug_GuruPlug.jpg> with
Debian and Ubuntu require a serial interface for debugging

- my Casio label printers require a serial interface for computer control

- my APC UPSs and their accessories require RS-232 serial

- my Votrax Type'N'Talk requires a serial interface for control/speech

- paper tape reader produces RS-232 serial output :-)

Walking out to my backyard:

- my robotic telescopes and mounts all require serial for both remote
control and firmware updates

Walking over to my garage:

- my lathe and mill require serial for computer control

and I'm sure I have plenty of other gadgets around the house that also
require serial.

It's worse when out in the field with a tiny laptop. This almost surely
comes with no serial ports. I'm toying with the idea of seeing of a serial-
to-usb converter dongle exists.....

Gotta be careful about those: some USB:Serial chip sets are junk such as
the MCT U232/F5U109 (used by Belkin) vs. good sets such as FTDI, Prolific
PL230, and USA-19HS.

For laptops still possessing a PCMCIA port(s), an RS-232 card is your best
bet.

Desktop PCI cards for RS-232 still exist, but today the PCIe-x1 cards seem
to be the best, such as SYBA dual RS-232 as can be seen here:
<http://thadlabs.com/PIX/SYBA_dual_RS-232.jpg> and
<http://thadlabs.com/PIX/EQ6_Syba_RS-232_PCIe_x1.jpg>
which has properly-functioning Linux drivers.

.

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