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Longer Bar Codes Coming in 2005
D_Fresh writes "The same thing that's happening to phone numbers is also happening in retail. The NYT (blahfreeregnotreallyblah) has a story about longer bar codes which will be required for U.S. retailers by 2005. Apparently they're running out of 12-digit codes and need to add a digit, but the code rework for this is non-trivial. Some shortsighted chains *cough*Kmart*cough* may be caught with their pants down in late 2004, since some scanners will simply crash if they scan a 13-digit code they can't handle. Enjoy your :CueCats while they last..."
I just got a 12 digit bar code tattooed on my dick. What will I do in 2005?
Twelve digits ought to be enough for everyone...
I think...I think it's in my basement. Let me go upstairs and check. -M.C. Escher (1898-1972)
...AOL had not insisted on a new barcode for every update of their free CDROM we'd have plenty of numbers left...
"Good things don't end with eum, they end with mania or teria." - H. Simpson
"we'd just print our own barcodes"
;)
Thats a useful hint to remember, next time you feel like giving yourself a little discount!
From the article... "The codes identify a product, distinguishing between an eight-ounce can of Del Monte creamed corn and a medium-size pair of Hanes boxer shorts. "
Phew... that's a relief. No more creamed corn undershorts for tybalt! I gotta get me one of these bar-code thingies.
Does anyone know if old bar cdes are ever reused, or when a product is cancelled, is it just retired. For example, is the bar code for "New Coke" usable for some other, less-disgusting product, like Motor Oil, or has it forever disappeared into the ether.
Additionally, is there one governing body which assigns bar codes? Or is up to the manufacturer to make sure they assign a unique bar code?
What about other countries? Do other countries have the same bar codes for the same products?
"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one " -Albert Einstein
I worked retail for a couple of years and in two or three instances I found duplicates.
I knew I had seen those 3 black bars next to that little black bar before...but where!?
Finally, math books without any of that base 6 crap in them.
Does this mean that I'm going to have to get the barcode that's tatooed onto the back of my neck redone?
--You will rephrase your request for me to go to hell. Goto statements are not acceptable programming constructs
Longer bar codes are coming to win us They're coming to win us, they're coming to win us Longer boats are coming to win us Hold on to the core, they'll be taking the key from the door. ;-)
Naturally add DIGITS to your barcode!
Bigger Barcode NOW!
www.big-barcode.com
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