Geeks in Paradise | Brian Chee | December 2007

MORE ENTRIES

December 2007

December 31, 2007 | Comments: (0)

Well I find myself posting a second part to placate some readers who REALLY wanted me to write on alternative solutions to the previous blog posting on ScanLife and the Sprint ad associated with it. To understand the fervor regarding camera phone barcode technology involves a discussion over Direct versus InDirect metatagging.

Direct metatagging and barcodes:
The concept of a direct metatag is one where the information contained takes you directly to an Internet location whether it be an IP address or a DNS entry. A good example would be something like http://weblog.infoworld.com/geeks/ and if the name of the blog should ever change, the information contained in the metatag will be broken. I'm sure we've all seen broken tags in older webpages or missing graphics. (Similar in concept to absolute URI's)

InDirect metataging and barcodes:
This is a bit different, in that a URL with an indirect tag might not have a fully qualified domain name(FQDN) but may have a link relative to the original page location. In the case of what the reader was commenting about Neoreader by by NeoMedia technologies utilizes a man in the middle approach where the much smaller barcode is looked up in the tag database called the NeoServer-OMS. This approach dramatically reduces the amount of information necessary in the barcode, and as pointed out by the reader, Neoreader also is capable of reading quite a few more barcode technologies than the before mentioned ScanLife product that's being pushed by Sprint. Neither is Sprint or some others pushing to converge the mobile device reader software, also mentioned by the reader's comment.
Neomedia: Brief description

My Spin:
I'm not sure I agree with the reader's comments...I'm not exactly wild about having a man in the middle arrangement where slow links, or links denied because someone's check was late paying for the sponsored link....use your imagination. So while I like the idea of less information in the barcode this also means less reader errors and smaller barcodes, I'm not sure the price is worth it in the long run. I also see this just as proprietary as that from ScanLife's solution, with the exception that once the direct barcode has been created, you don't seem to be tied back to the technology provider and recurring fees.

On a plus side, having a directory server means that advertisers can get quite a bit more information off the mobile browser and also have access to more historical browsing information than the direct method.

Since ANCL (Advanced Network Computing Laboratory at the University of Hawaii School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology) was where Warren Togami chose to start the Fedora project while an undergrad here; I feel a certain leaning towards open source efforts like those by the folks at the zxing project that is supposedly going to become part of the Google phone project. One application already available is yelp where you can drag around on a Google map and have it generate 2D barcodes that give you references to things like restaurants, gas stations, etc in the area.

All in all, I think we're going to start seeing a whole heck of a lot more 2D barcodes showing up on ads, magazine stories, posters and the like. Will the 2D barcode go further and start pushing vcard information into mobile devices, well we'll just have to wait and see if standards actually start showing up instead of having to download a different reader app for every standard. It is my personal opinion that it will be someone like Symbian or Microsoft that will have to drive a standard by implementing barcode reader technology into the base operating system. Will this be one of the legacies that the Google phone will provide us? Or will Symbian and or Microsoft beat them to the punch?

Another reader suggested this URL as a source for more detailed information on the 2D barcode movement.
http://2d-code.co.uk/

Last minute update: It would seem that the IATA (International Air Transport Association) has decided upon a 2D standard for checkins.

Posted by Brian Chee on December 31, 2007 11:10 AM

December 28, 2007 | Comments: (0)

Mobile Phone Barcode system

ScanLife is the technology behind the new Sprint ads that have started to appear in print media. I found one in my issue of Wired and while I'm a T-Mobile user, you can still download the application from the ScanLife site and be able to read the 2D barcode. The main issue behind using a camera phone as a barcode reader has always been the poor image quality and the tendency for images to become skewed due to user hand positioning. In the US you can ONLY read the EZCode, however in europe you can also read the DataMatrix and QR codes. Oh by the way, the Sprint AD takes you to a free ringtone download site for Windows Mobile once you read the EZCode in the ad. I was able to get there just fine with the version I downloaded for my HTC/T-Mobile DASH.

Supported 2D Barcodes (EZcode, DataMatrix and QR)

All of these emerging 2D barcodes have handles on them to allow software to de-skew the image and little targets embedded in the image so that the software has a better chance at knowing where the code boundaries are.

The Sprint ad, and the talk on the street is that the lowly barcode is seeing a revival due to consumer pressure to be able to get more information on demand, but they don't want to have to type in long URL's to get there. The answer is the 2D barcode with some codes achieving upwards of hundreds of characters worth of information in a postage stamp sized image.

However, the big three (EZcode, DataMatrix and QR) can't hold a candle to the achievements of Gavin Jancke of Microsoft Research and his new color 2D barcode system that can achieve thousands of characters worth of information in an image not quite bigger than a US Penny. Enough information that you can embed enough information that Microsoft is tossing out the concept of a tamper proof ID.

So why barcodes? My spin is that it's tied to the now ubiquitous nature of the camera phone. Since it's there, why not make better use of it? I for one would love to see an apps (open source please) that will allow me to use my camera phone to read my club card barcodes, and then reproduce them on the screen. This way I can just scroll around to the appropriate club card and then wave it across the scanner. Though as I mentioned above, image skew is a pretty big deal and so is the fact that under normal conditions the barcode is displayed on a media that has a huge contrast ratio (upwards of several thousands to one) which the standard phone LCD hasn't quite achieved yet. So I just have to imagine that reader errors are fairly frequent.

As a counter point the folks at Ecrio claim that they have a much better solution. Since traditional UPC barcodes suffer from a collection of maladies ranging from grubby phone screens, reflectance, low contrast, stray light, etc, etc...Ecrio has instead come up with MoBeam, a method to flash the IR or the phone backlight to satisfy the checkout scanner. So instead of having the scanner attempt to read the varying size bars of the UPC off the phone screen, they instead fool the scanner into seeing the long and short flashes that represent the bar code. So while I'm unsure of just how well this works (So far Ecrio hasn't returned any of my email) they claim nearly full proof scans and are bragging about how it's being used for ticketing and a wash list of supporters.

So I just had to do more digging and found Mobiqua who doesn't seem to have the issues that Ecrio warns us about. In fact they're got an agreement going with the IATF (International Air Transport Association) that has a pilot (sic!) project going in an attempt to eliminate the ubiquitous and un-recyclable airline boarding passes (due to the magnetic strip). When I asked the IATA folks if they're having problems with reflectance causing barcodes to become unreadable, here's their answer:

... Air Canada and Continental are testing bar codes on mobiles, I'm not aware of reflectance issues. Actually when it does not read, it could be the size of the bar code, the shape of the screen, or simply unclean screen. Or light reflectance. Japan carriers have been using 2D on mobiles for 2-3 years, reflectance was not reported as an issue to my knowledge. I think it is more an argument from scanner manufacturers, between mounted hand-held and flatbed.
From: LEOPOLD Eric
Sent: Thursday, 20 December, 2007 15:07
To: RILEY Lorne
Subject: RE: barcode checkin on mobile devices...story for InfoWorld magazine

Another partner of IATA is RealTime and they're got a bit of a spin on how mobile phone checkin's will save time, money and the environment.

For a longer term look at the IATA's efforts, download a PDF status report.

Posted by Brian Chee on December 28, 2007 11:06 AM

December 21, 2007 | Comments: (0)

Avocent - SwitchView 100 4-port PS/2 KVM Switch

The InteropNET crew has been using the Avocent KVM solution for quite a while, but we've all been in agreement that justifying an enterprise grade KVM for your desktop is something none of us want to pass by the CFO. The main issue has been getting a KVM that will handle the increasing screen resolution and scan rates of modern monitors, while also making sure that as CPU's restart that the KVM answers back correctly to avoid boot errors.

You might have noticed that some consumer KVM's have little Linux Friendly stickers on them...this has been because el'cheapo KVM's have typically not answered back in a timely manner when Linux asks what kind of Keyboard+Mouse+Monitor is attached. Many Linux distros have a failsafe in that like the Sun Sparc's of old, they will automagically add a serial console device if it can't detect a keyboard on the box. So while this is a great thing (always able to get to the console) it can be darn frustrating pounding away at the keyboard only to be ignored...all because the el'cheapo KVM didn't answer back in time. Similar things happen when systems go off to power saver mode and loses the keyboard since the KVM isn't sending any sort of keep alive to the CPU. I don't mean randomly hitting a key, just making sure that the keyboard signal stays there and when the CPU polls the keyboard i/o chip that the KVM answers. Sounds simple, but missing from a bunch of KVM's I've thrown away over the years.

Now keep in mind that while there are USB versions available (see above list) these are ONLY for keyboard and mice. Not storage devices.

So since many of these KVM's are going to be used for desktops, it makes sense to also make sure that the speakers and mike get swapped along with the keyboard+mouse+video. Afterall when that call comes in from the rest of you HALO team, you want to make sure you answer on the right machine.

So getting to the tech specs...I tossed a couple questions at David Scarlett, Avocent Product Manager for the the SwitchView 100 and here are the answers:

1. I’m assuming this is a single KVM console to four, not a matrix like a 2x2? So four machines to single console….
(SIDE NOTE from Brian Chee: such a thing does exist from a UK vendor, but ain't cheap... checkout http://www.adder.com/uk/products/SmartViewMultiscreen.aspx )
AVCT> Yes you are correct. The unit provides access for up to 4 machines from a single keyboard, monitor, mouse, speaker set and mic.

2. I’m also assuming like other Avocent KVM products, this does kvm keep alive for machines if they reboot.
AVCT> Yes.

3. What is the limits on resolution conversion?

a. Can it handle upwards of 1600x1400? Or lower?
AVCT> All of the SwitchView 100 models support up to a maximum resolution of 2048x1536 @ 60Hz.

b. What kinds of scan rates can it handle?

c. Is there a matrix of what it can handle (scan rate versus resolution)
AVCT> The SwitchView 100 supports a wide range including these common resolutions:

800x600 @ max 120Hz
1024x768 @ max 120 Hz
1280x1024@ max 120 Hz
1600x1200 @ max 100 Hz
1920x1200 @ max 80 Hz
2048x1536 @ max 60 Hz

4. Is the audio stereo or can it also handle the new 5.1 stuff coming out over a mini-plug?
AVCT> The audio is stereo and does not support 5.1.

5. Is a DVI version available?
AVCT> No. Currently the SV100 series supports VGA only.

a. Analog in but DVI out?

b. DVI in and out?

6. What is the warranty length?
AVCT> 2 years.

7. Does it pass through the plug-n-play monitor information?
AVCT> Yes.

8. How does it handle power saver mode for the monitor?
AVCT> The unit passes through from the PC.

9. Is there going to be a USB mouse+keyboard version in the future?
AVCT> This is not in the current plans.
Brian Chee> I'm pretty sure that this question was misunderstood. I'm fairly sure they thought I was asking if there were going to be additional USB ports added that will give you USB storage sharing capability. Such a thing is pretty complex and I don't blame them for waffling on such a feature in a SOHO product.

10. How far can I extend the cables?
AVCT> The USB can be extended up to 12 feet and the VGA can be extended up to 15 ft.

11. This is targeted at the SMB market, so not really dual use for SOHO+gamer applications right?
AVCT> The unit was not specifically designed for the gamer applications. The unit should support many gamer applications, and it would depend on how hardcore the user is as to whether or not it would be acceptable for him or her.

MSRP Pricing:
$45 2port ps/2
$90 4port ps/s
$50 2port usb
$100 4port usb
*NOTE: Cables ARE included with the system.

Posted by Brian Chee on December 21, 2007 12:17 PM

December 16, 2007 | Comments: (0)

Microsoft SQL Server: SQL Server Compact 3.5

CRM can mean many things to many people and for those that put their workforce out in the field this latest release of Microsoft's SQL server could mean a large reduction in the time and effort needed to put a CRM app into the field.

Microsoft SQL Server: SQL Server Compact 3.5 is designed to be crammed onto just about any of the Microsoft desktop environments, but it's the mobile platforms that make this worth reading further. With support for Windows Mobile 5/6 and the CE variants Microsoft has radically reduced the effort required to link, update and synchronize a mobile platform with the home office SQL server. So while it's a wild guess, I just have to imagine that the folks at UPS/FedEx/etc have got to be taking notice.

With Visual Studio.NET as Microsoft's tookkit of choice, SQL Compact edition can be scaled to fit various needs while giving a reasonable number of secure communications methods. Did I also mention that Microsoft isn't charging for this? Download it for free of their website.

In a multiple-server environment, to exchange data between SQL Server Compact Edition and SQL Server, you have to install replication components on the computer that is running IIS. The following table lists how to install the replication components on two different versions of SQL Server.
borrowed from: http://www.microsoft.com/sql/editions/compact/sysreqs.mspx

Now while this is really targeted at SQL Server on the backend, I'm not sure this can't be leveraged for other platforms. I found some information on Microsoft's site that seems to indicate that this isn't quite as tightly linked as I first thought. The stuff I found on MSDN at first glance don't look MS-SQL specific, so it sounds like something to try when I get back from vacation. Can it be used with MySQL or others, maybe...I'll have to get back to you folks on that.

Posted by Brian Chee on December 16, 2007 05:42 PM

December 12, 2007 | Comments: (0)

Microsoft Windows Home Server

Microsoft is stepping away from the traditional home server like those being offered by Infrant/NetGear, IOMega, Buffalo, and others. The pack is attempting to offer the SOHO environment a smaller version of the enterprise servers we're used to having at the office, but never quite getting there. Heck, I've had conversations with other editors on how Microsoft should have put in kiddie/parental controls, email filtering, and a wash list of advanced features. What I'm suggesting is that you take a step back and look at this from a different point of view:

“With Windows Home Server, Microsoft and its partners are launching a new category

of consumer products that will make it much easier for people to connect to their

digital content and share experiences with friends and family, no matter where they are.”

-Bill Gates

Key to just how well this product will play is how the Home Server team ran a programming contest as the beta program drew to a close. A wide assortment of entrants leveraged the Home Server API set with the top dog producing a plug-in that will accept a .ZIP file of digital photos and once received will unpack, create thumbnails and automagically post to the user's home server web site. Here are a couple useful links to read about the other entrants, and what other users are doing with their Home Server.

•Windows Home Server Website

•Home Server Blog

•Home Server Forums

Hey folks, if you're looking for a home version of Windows Server 2008, take a deep breath and shake it off. This isn't Server2008 Home Edition, and if you even try to squint at it sideways to make it look like Server 2kxxx it's just going to make you mad. This is grandma's server to backup her and dad's workstations, post the latest pictures of the grandkids, and let granny get access to her scrapbooking stuff from Edna's place. Not to mention that the turnkey versions from HP and a herd of others all tend towards sipping at the power meter.

Another key feature is getting away from expensive pieces like RAID by having you click on important folders which are then duplicated on another disk. This way the hardware stays simpler, lowering cost of purchase and cost of repairs.

*NOTE: Pictures from Windows Home Server presentation by Todd Headrick and Joel Burt of Microsoft
My favorite feature is the backup and restore (bare metal no less):

*NOTE: Pictures from Windows Home Server presentation by Todd Headrick and Joel Burt of Microsoft
Notice that the system will monitor the health of key folders with a green orb... status at a glance through color changes.

*NOTE: Pictures from Windows Home Server presentation by Todd Headrick and Joel Burt of Microsoft
Again, this isn't Windows Server 2008!!! Notice things revolve around content. Heck, you don't even need drive letters anymore.

So get it from folks like HP or roll your own with the Enthusiasts version that will install on almost any modern desktop computer. You can even download a 120day evaluation version that will bootup and setup one of your old desktops. So while activation keys upgrades aren't available (aka you can't just drop in an activation key like in Vista or Win2kX), you can drop in a full licensed copy over the eval and tell it to leave the data drives alone. So not quite seamless, but not bad.

Posted by Brian Chee on December 12, 2007 07:40 PM

December 12, 2007 | Comments: (0)

The Book of PF (aka BSD Firewalls)

The Book of PF (No Starch Press, December 2007, 184 pp, ISBN 9781593271657

I've been using IPTables under Linux for quite some time now but with the poorly implemented firewall tool under Mac OSx Leopard, this book by NoStarch press has arrived in the proverbial nick to time.

It's my best guess that Apple tore away a goodly number of programmers off Leopard to make sure that Steve Job's promise for the iPhone was fulfilled. The downside is that Leopard had a few missing pieces, one of which was a polished interface for the built in firewall. So while this book isn't precisely for the poor Leopard users, I don't see why quite a bit won't work anyway due to OSx's BSD roots.

With Mr. Hansteen paying close attention to important topics like: state inspection, SPAM, black/grey listing, and many others; this must have reference for BSD users can go a long way to helping you fine tune the who/what/where/when/how of access control on your BSD box.

*NOTE: NoStarch Press is a rare beast in that almost all of their new books are also available in PDF format. Deep discounts are available if you purchase both the paper and electronic version at the same time, but you can always get either paper or PDF off their website. The truly FOSS thing about NoStarch is that they're trusting their readers in that they only really watermark the PDF version with the owner's information. No other DRM is involved....I for one will be voting with my dollars and I sincerely hope you folks out there do the same for your reference collection.

Posted by Brian Chee on December 12, 2007 06:50 PM

Technology White Papers

InfoWorld Technology Marketplace

» Technology White Papers Library

Technology White Papers by Topic

Technology White Papers E-mail Alert