[macvoiceover] Re: bar code data base
- From: Chris Hofstader <cdh@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: macvoiceover@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 06:58:08 -0400
Hi,
While at FS, I managed ScanTalker and since worked on a bar code
solution designed for people with vision impairment but that gig ran
out of money before it was ever finished.
There are a few routes you can follow to get a really useful bar code
program working, assuming, of course, that it works with your Macintosh:
A little background: Most off-the-shelf bar code scanners simulate
the keyboard and stuff keystrokes for the UPC code that you had just
scanned. If there is a problem communicating with your Macintosh,
this is where it will go wrong. You can do a quick compatibility test
by opening TextEdit, scanning a bar code and seeing if there is a
string of digits returned.
Very importantly, you need to remember that low end bar code readers
have a lot of trouble finding the code on a package and it may take
five or six scans to get it right. I think ebay has some higher end
consumer models in the $300 range and you may be able to find one for
less. Having a cheap scanner will cost you a lot of time being
frustrated trying to find the code on a can of Freska, let alone
something with a less smooth surface like potatoe chips. So, do not
assume it isn't working with your Macintosh until you get sighted
assistance to point the scanner right at the code and tell if you can
get some text out. Of course, as you won't always have a sightie
around every time you need to scan something, this experiment is
fairly moot beyond proving that the scanner does or doesn't work with
your computer.
To get data is a bitch and none of the solutions is very good:
1. Open google and go to the search field. Swipe your bar code and
the numbers will appear in the google edit line. Hit enter and google
will usually find the product and tell you a really little about it.
While a kludge, this is a working solution with little cost involved.
2. There is an "open source" database of UPC codes and associated
products. I don't know if anyone has written a Macintosh interface to
it. This database, built by volunteers, has many accuracy problems
(you might scan Campbell's Soup and get a porno movie - Andy Warhol
would be so proud). Writing a Macintosh front end, as it is a mysql
database should be fairly easy but someone has to do it.
3. Buy a really good database. These databases cost about $10,000
plus monthly charges to refresh the data. Of course, for an
individual, this is insanely expensive and it also requires a front
end program be built if none currently exist. These are really rich
databases with nutritional information on foods, tracks on CDs and
DVDs, warning information, etc. ScanTalker uses such a database.
So, the UPC problem is a relatively tangled mess.
Peace,
cdh
On Aug 16, 2009, at 2:41 PM, Marcy Weinberg wrote:
Hi, everybody!
I'm looking for a vo very friendly, accessible bar code data base.
I own a scanner, which I"m hoping will work with my mac, but I need
the data base to check it all out.
I think someone posted something about one awhile back, but
unfortunately I don't have the info any more. So, if that info
could be posted again, and/or anyone could help me with this, I'd be
very appreciative! Marcy
--
Wordy Mom
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