Support the Burmese Protesters!

Azalea Software is proud to support the protesters in Burma (Myanmar). You should too.

The monks are the moral voice of the citizens. The military leaders are repressive and need to step down. The violence must end. Lend your support!

100% Barcode-Free Blogging

Yet another reason you wish you lived in Seattle




and so freakishly cute you can't stand it.

The Holidays Are Coming

Don't forget the barcode nerdlets this year.

Waiting Impatiently for HCCB

I was promised an amazing technicolor dreamcoat, man.



I am shocked, shocked I tell you, that something from our Redmond neighbor would be slow to roll.

Will RFID Replace Beloved Old PDF417?

Has PDF417 been supplanted by RFID?


Pish and tosh, says I. In no small part because it resembles the coolest arcade game ever.

Barcode rings, barcode jewelry

If I did wear jewelry, I might be tempted to wear a barcode ring.

As it is, all I can deal with is a dogtag with a Buddhist mantra on it.

Barcodes & dead people

Or at least "barcodes and one dead guy". Who isn't dead after all. But barcodes are involved.

Heck, read the story for yourself.

Entire UK Population to be Branded

"For the state and your security you will be branded on the forehead with a barcode. There is nothing to worry about and it is totally painless."

Barcode CD rack

Oh Santa... I've been a pretty good boy so far this year. Haven't gotten caught doing anything terribly bad. So here's something you might instruct the elves to build for me this year: a barcode CD rack.

I'm pretty sure I'll be the only kid in my neighborhood with one.

RFID implants in one's worker bees

As an employer part of me thinks that California's ban on mandatory RFID implants in workers limits my ability to monitor and manage my staff members.

Then I remember, "Oh yeah. I believe in personal freedom and the right to privacy." Compounded by the fact that Azalea Software supports the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

What a toss up. Draconian management techniques with a hint of sci-fi evil or preserving personal liberties and fighting techno-totalitarianism. Heads or tails, call it in the air.

Bark Codes

Aunt Paula swung by the office this week and mad artist that she is, she couldn't help but leave her mark on our white board.



And we're glad she did.

Human Beings Barcoded: World Doesn't End

This one I can get behind.

Of course now our Faceless Evil Overlords can track our every move but it's worth it if it means getting the correct meds, doncha' think?

Barcode Art Contest Winners

Because I run an online gallery of barcode-inspired artwork I see a lot of barcodes incorporated into larger pieces. It's my belief that barcodes have become a visual meme and are infused with connotations and implied meanings (www.jetcityorange.com/barcodes/BarcodesJargonSlang.pdf).

I was unprepared for and pleasantly surprised by the entrants in photoshopcontest.com barcode competition. Fine art, thoughtful work within the theme, and pieces that made me sit up and take notice.

All entrants will receive Azalea Software's 4th annual calendar when printed. All feature photographs centered around a particular theme. This year's is a surprise but not flowers or stencil graffiti as in the past.

First prize goes to IDentification by dabdi56. Layers of meaning in a well put together piece. Sophisticated and emotional.

Second prize is to Sliver's Stop Violence! I'm a big fan of Adbusters and while I've been in the barcode business for 18 years, that doesn't mean I've comprised my politics or beliefs.

Third prize is to Phase [GIF] EDITED by Granulated. I've always wanted to see barcodes animated and loved seeing multiple entries do so. The grace and finesse in this effort is refreshing and complete.

A special shout out goes to two other entries: Fore! and T'E(r)R0R' in CAP1TAL15M. The former made me look twice and put a smile on my face. The latter is almost too good to be true.

Azalea Software t-shirts and goodie bags go out to the three winners. Again, all entrants will receive 2008 calendars when printed. Thanks to all who participated. The work is wonderful!

Jerry Whiting
Azalea Software, Inc.

They're heeeere...

No, the Whole Foods cash register couldn't scan it. Yet.

RFID Still Crap, Says Dublin Firm

So maybe they're a little more diplomatic than that but Heavey RF knows what time it is.

RFID is still just a whizbang technology that may mutate into a practical product some day. Perhaps. Possibly. At some point. Maybe. (I'm in for $50 on March 12, 2016, if anyone's starting a pool).

Until every kitchen-table home business can afford to produce them, and every corner bodega can afford to read them, it's just another shiny whatsit.

Barcoding critters

Taxonomists are considering barcodes as a tool in the struggle to create names for newly discovered plants and animals. Can a number encompass a being's beingness? Is 123,452,677 qualitatively worse than Brad, Thad, Tiffany or Chuck?

Now even cabs have barcodes

Riding a cab in New York is exciting enough. Riding a cab from the East Side to Union Square during the day during the week is an added thrill. Getting one of the new cabs with a video screen showing TV, ads, and a a moving map is pretty cool too. But nothing, and I mean nothing beats getting in a cab and finding a barcode staring at you. Know what I mean?

Nothing to do with barcodes

This probably has nothing to do with barcodes but here in Seattle one of the 7-Elevens has been transformed into a Kwik E Mart. This is a promotion for the upcoming Simpsons movie.

They're selling Simpsons tie-in merchandise so I guess there's a good chance that these items will have their own barcode. I wonder what company prefix they'll use?

Wait. There's more bad news!

Yesterday I recounted the story of a fugly barcode on a poor child's birthday present. Today I present another insult at said birthday soiree: an EAN in the USA. Yes, a foreign barcode on these here 'merican shores. I certainly hope WalMart isn't behind this. Gray market bastards...

Am I the only one who notices these things?

Little Audrey turned 4, had a party, and found this horrible barcode on one of her presents. The shame, and in front of all her little friends no less. What parent would knowingly foist this off on an unsuspecting pre-schooler? Why??