[Koha] Barcode info needed

[Erik Stainsby]

Hi George,

This will only be a short and partial answer, but here goes:
you may not be able to use the 1-6500 idea I'm afraid.  The problem lies 
with checksums.

Barcode specifications name a method of calculating and recreating a 
particular set of numbers.  A given named spec uses a particular 
algorithm to generate long lists of numbers.  All the members of the list 
(and there will be many more *not* in the list than in the list) will 
have certain mathematical characteristics in common.  

Because of this common set of characteristics, it is possible to say "This 
particular number is (or is not) valid under the current scheme; 
therefore we will assume the book (or library card) it is attached to is 
(or is not) one of ours (and not some other Library's)".

This is where my usefulness trails out ... I'm not sure if Koha has 
internally any preference for particular barcoding algorithms.

Hope this helps a bit,

- Erik


On May 5, 2003 02:13 pm, George Jenner wrote:
> Hello
>
> I've helped set up a library for our primary school over the past 8
> months or so.  Koha was a possible candidate for our computer system
> but I couldn't get it going in time.  But it's probable that we will
> change systems next year, and I will propose Koha again.
>
> Why I'm writing is that we are about to reshelve all the books, and I
> want to use the opportunity to put barcodes on them.  I think we've got
> a volunteer to print them all using kbarcode (found the reference here)
> but our ignorance of barcodes themselves is still profound.
>
> What I want to do is print barcodes that will be accepted by any
> library software, so I need a specification.  I see things like EAN 12,
> UPC, 3 of 9 (not 7 of 9?).  I don't want to know what they mean, I just
> want someone to say  "use a 13 digit number, EAN 12 coding, don't use
> letters and everything will be all right".  Is such a specification
> possible? Or do I have to know what they mean.  ( If so I'll just buy
> the barcodes from Junior Librarian, which is the system the
> headmistress wants - but I want to spend the money on books)
>
> Our books are numbered from 1 to 6500 and I intend to use those numbers
> as barcode numbers.
>
> Many thanks for any advice
> George Jenner
>
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> Koha at lists.katipo.co.nz
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-- 
Cheers,
Erik

--
Erik Stainsby
Systems Support Technician,
Web and Database Services,
Vancouver Public Library
604.331.4083