New Barcode Database now online

["John B" <home-automation@xxxxxxx>]

Hi all,

The xPL Team is pleased to announce the availability of it's community
barcode
database server and client applications.

A web server for storing/maintaining barcodes and a 128 character
description has been set up at http://barcodes.xplhal.com and
http://barcodes.xplhal.co.uk

A VB6 xPL client application is available for download from
http://www.xplhal.com/xpl/xPL_Barcode.zip
It requires a serial barcode device (currently tested with the devices
available from Laser)

A second vb6 xPL Client is available for download from
http://www.xplproject.org.uk/files/xplbarcatlite.zip
It supports the low cost CueCat Scanner, currently available through ebay.

Obviously the usefulness of the database is dependent on how much data it
contains (currently approximately 300 barcodes) so those using the system
are
encouraged to contribute barcodes if your setup allows it.

If anyone already has a list of barcodes that they would like to
contribute,
we can arrange to upload them on-bulk into the database if you e-mail them
to
barcodes@xxxxxxx.

The ability to add to the database via the client, and list/edit your
entries on the website, requires you obtain a username/password by
e-mailing
the xPL team at barcodes@xxxxxxx

Anyone may query the database using a regular HTTP GET request, (e.g.
http://barcodes.xplhal.com/?5000166054317)
and it will return either the
product description, or FAILED if the barcode is not in the database.

The client application, which requires an internet connection be available
of course, can query the database for a scanned barcode and then sends an
xPL message containing the barcode and product description.

If anyone has any suggestions on how we can improve the Barcode Server,
please do let us know, as we hope this will be a useful resource for the
UKHA community.

Regards,

John