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Resurrect Your Old Code With a DIY Punch Card Reader

Posted by timothy on from the convert-your-existing-recipe-cards dept.

First time accepted submitter mchnz writes "Need to read in some old punch cards? Have a hankering to return to yesteryear? I've combined an Arduino, the CHDK enhanced firmware for Canon cameras, and the Python Image Library to build a reader for standard IBM 80 column punch cards. You can see it in action in "Punch Card Reader — The Movie" or read more about it." This is an inspiring, intimidating project.

2 of 100 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Horribly inefficient by Antipater · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm confused.

    Why would you want to use fewer legos?

    --
    Everything is better with chainsaws.
  2. Kinda Slow by twmcneil · · Score: 3, Funny

    Compared to the real thing, this is a wee bit slow. But of course I threw out all my punch cards years ago. They warped so bad in about 12 months time that they would jam the reader.

    Quick way to win friends, jam the reader with about 15 people behind you.

    Now get off my lawn!

    --
    "The ferrets, they're every where I tell you!"