RFID virus

We all knew it was possible. We all suspected it was coming. But you wouldn't believe me because I own a barcode software company. I'm not supposed to like RFID.

Well, read this. Stop and think about it. RFID is coming in at the top and being deployed enterprise-wide. Just ask Walmart. This makes the RFID story incredibly scary.

The good news/bad news is that this story comes out of academia, not Def Con.

With that said, things like this don't look so paranoid, now do they? In fact, I'm writing my letter to Santa right now!

Time to get your passport. NOW!

Reading this underlines the fact that I need to get a new passport before RFID chips are mandatory. In fact, I need to get them for my kids too. Nobody should have RFID chips in their passports until the weakass encryption is fixed.

Not this again...

If I had a dollar for every time someone comes up with a scheme to use UPC barcodes to index a database for endusers, I wouldn't have to sell barcode software myself. Sheesh, doesn't this reek of the CueCat? Again.

Chip implants

Now this story on RFID chip implants gives me the willies. Guys, that X-Files story line was fiction. F-I-C-T-I-O-N. Make believe.

Sheesh...

Drunken UPC

So was the barcode done by an intoxicated graphic designer or is this an indication of what'll happen to me if I drink this brew? And which is the better of the two?

Gotta love them barcode tattoos!

Barcode tattoos. Who knew they were so popular. Don't believe me? look here. If you've got one, please contribute your favorite photo. Dont' be shy; step right up.

This proves that barcodes have moved into the mainstream visual vocabulary. Me? I'm not tatted.

Here we go again...

Here comes another barcodes-as-interactive-marketing scheme.

Come on folks, didn't the ill-fated CueCat fiasco teach us anything? Or is our collective memory that short and/or defective?

Sheesh...

RFID passports

So you think passports with RFID chips in them will make us all more secure? Read this. Now will you sleep better at night? I won't.

Big enuff for ya?

This is a multi-pack so the barcode really is this big. Waaay too big to be in spec. IMHO

A barcode building

Now I like my office. In fact I love my office. But this building is over the top!

Barcode Tattoos

Do you have a barcode tattoo? If so, someone we know (wink, wink) is putting together an online photo gallery of barcode tattoos.

Don't be shy. If you've got a tat odds are you want others to see it. Now's your chance.

BTW, check out this web site too.

Bar Codes, SMS, & tickets

Now this kind of scheme should make you glad I'm an honest man. Unless these folks have given some serious thought to fraud prevention, a nefarious barcode nerd could do some serious damage. Not necessarily getting me in an event but selling you a SMS message that looks like a valid ticket but doesn't get you in the door. By then, I (and your money) are long gone.

I'm sure that all of you are just dying to read about barcodes in languages other than English. Right?
Spanish | German | French | Portuguese

Italian | Japanese | Chinese

Does this involve a tattoo?

This kind of stuff makes me nervous. Really, really nervous.

On a lighter note, this makes a strong case for video on the net. A little too long but funny as hell! Andy pointed this one out.

Dear Santa,

I know I'm a little late for this year's delivery but next Christmas I just gotta have one of these.

Think how jealous all the other kids will be. Imagine the science fair projects I could do. Visualize the possibilities...

If nothing else, it can keep my CueCat company!

An error only a barcode nerd would catch

I saw this ad in the concourse of Cleveland airport coming home from Grandma's Thanksgiving. I can only assume that literally thousands of eyeballs gaze upon this ad.

But my eye focused on the barcode. Do I remember who the advertiser was? No. (Well that's money ill-spent.)



What do I see? The barcode. It's a UPC barcode. Definitely not the kind of barcode you'd expect to see used for ID and tracking purposes. At least I don't expect to see a UPC version A w/o human-readable characters used a such.

But that's just me.

Doesn't quite fit the co-op lifestyle

Somewhat clever idea with a high geek factor. And not necessarily in a good way either.

The staff at my local food co-op knows I write barcode software. I'm not sure how they'd react if I copped to using one of these things. Actually I do: they'd laugh me out of the store.

RFID & Barcodes

Let's get one thing straight: RFID will not, I repeat not replace barcodes.

Barcodes are not extinct. There's years of life left in 'em. RFID is a solution (sic) looking for a problem.

Or as the wise sage Ray Delnicki sez "Barcodes are the human-readables for RFID."

Personalize Bar Code Labels???

Not that I even think of using Amtrak for shipping but this is kinda kewl.

Still not gonna use 'em though.

Bar Coded Credit Card? Puh-leeze...

Ya spend 16 odd years in this business and you think you've seen it all. Then something like this comes along.

What can I say? Like I don't already have enough plastic in my wallet...