Only slightly related but my preferred way to generate barcodes is the barcode writer in pure postcsript. https://bwipp.terryburton.co.uk/
I use GNU Barcode: https://www.gnu.org/software/barcode/>
Getting my library cards onto my phone the hard way
81–90 of 181 posts
Re: Getting my library cards onto my phone the hard way
#82I really love barcodes and barcode symbology for reasons I cannot fully explain. I even wore the npm module named ‘barcode’ which I desperately need to update. Fun fact about codabar, it is among the only barcode symbologies that can be implemented completely as a plain font.
Interesting, why is that? Due to character boundaries and encoded-character-as-symbol boundaries not overlapping for the other codes?
And do you know if that was a conscious design choice?
Re: Getting my library cards onto my phone the hard way
#83Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's taking advantage of another developer's $99 payment. I just took a look at one of these apps and the in-app purchase to remove ads is $1.99. I think if I did this I'd throw that developer the 2 bucks. Sort of like when you bum a ride from someone, even though it's not costing them anything, it's good form to offer to split the cost of gasoline.
Look I’ll generate and give you a certificate for free if you want one.
I'd pay Apple $99 before I asked another developer to do that for me, probably putting their agreement with Apple at risk.
Taking a principled stance against Apple is fine. I'm totally onboard with that. I only think it's uncool to take that stance and then use another developer's cert without their permission. Even though it's unlikely, it can only harm that other developer.
Based on all the downvotes HN seems to disagree, but I don't see what's so unreasonable about my position.
Re: Getting my library cards onto my phone the hard way
#84Oooh, now do Orca cards next. Seattle is one of the tech capitals of the United States, and on top of the metro system just being not great, it's also technically inferior to nearly every single other major city that I've used public transit. Pick any European city, CDMX, Denver. They're all light years ahead of Seattle. Denver might have been my favorite. Fun fact, one of the orgs that runs Orca actually wrote a blo…
Best transit card I have used has been in HK. The value on the card can be used in small shops around the city up to $150 dollars.
Re: Getting my library cards onto my phone the hard way
#85Those cheap laser "1D" bar code scanners cannot read off a screen (except maybe eInk). It sucks because the supermarkets I frequent have their loyalty cards based off barcodes. Fortunately, barcode readers emulate keyboards so you can just type the code on a keyboard.
I am consistently impressed by how quickly and easily Costco's handheld scanners (seemingly straightforward red line 2D type) can read my membership barcode that is printed really narrow and tiny on my membership card. I guess hardware matters!
Re: Getting my library cards onto my phone the hard way
#86The overdrive app has supported digital library cards for years now.
I agree having all the cards in one place is nice, but the fact is libraries put their cards in overdrive, so in effect all my library cards are in one place.
Since overdrive is also how you access ebooks from the library, there is a good chance that any "technologically with it" people have it installed already.
Now overdrive not being part of Amazon Kindle Fire for Kids tablets, separate issue I have..
Edit: I just checked, Google Wallet has built in support specifically for Seattle Public Library cards. Thanks, now I don't have to worry about forgetting my card ever again!
Re: Getting my library cards onto my phone the hard way
#87Oooh, now do Orca cards next. Seattle is one of the tech capitals of the United States, and on top of the metro system just being not great, it's also technically inferior to nearly every single other major city that I've used public transit. Pick any European city, CDMX, Denver. They're all light years ahead of Seattle. Denver might have been my favorite. Fun fact, one of the orgs that runs Orca actually wrote a blo…
Related: isn't there a way to "clone" an NFC card using (rooted) Android? I have been looking into how feasible it could be doing so on iOS since my office door opens via an NFC card, but iirc Apple has a tighter grip on the NFC hardware than with general PassKit, meaning that a regular app can't do that.
A perfect use case for a Flipper
Re: Getting my library cards onto my phone the hard way
#88Earlier quoted context omitted.
The other thing about going fare-free-- which people don't like to discuss but it is a real effect which has been measured-- is that it causes much more anti-social behavior on the bus, which decreases ridership among people who have only a slight preference for transit versus just driving their car. This not only makes traffic worse (which kinda defeats the whole purpose), it also tanks political support for transit…
Citation needed for that causes anti social behavior claim!
Re: Getting my library cards onto my phone the hard way
#89Earlier quoted context omitted.
Can you point to where you found this measurement? This is the first I've heard of it.
I first heard of it from the transit union here in Seattle when they axed the downtown free bus zone like 10 years ago. There was some vague mention of the bus drivers in ... somewhere in Texas... like 30 years before that. Beyond that I haven't heard much of it because as I understand it, there isn't much free transit anywhere big.
May I introduce you to the country of Luxembourg that offers free public transport - admittedly one of the smallest nations in Europe in area (2,586.4 km2 (998.6 sq mi)) and population (660,809), but bigger than many cities.
Re: Getting my library cards onto my phone the hard way
#90Pass4wallet is a nice app for that, if you’re ok with your pass data being (according to their privacy policy) sent to their server, signed and then deleted.
Yep, Pass4wallet is great, and free to boot. I’ve used it for lots of loyalty cards and membership cards that don’t support Wallet, and even for some that do, so I can avoid installing apps for them.