Standardizing insect labels on INBio format + DataMatrix
Date: Wed, 28 Jul 1999 15:30:08 -0400
To: longinoj@elwha.evergreen.edu, jugalde@inbio.ac.cr
From: pick@pick.uga.edu (John Pickering)
Subject: Standardizing insect labels on INBio format + DataMatrix
Cc: sackley@compuserve.com, bill.armstrong@intermec.com, brianb@mizar.usc.edu,
colwell@uconnvm.uconn.edu, christine.deal@intermec.com,
whallwac@sas.upenn.edu, djanzen@sas.upenn.edu, mkaspari@ou.edu,
becky_nichols@nps.gov, Chuck_Parker@nps.gov, KPerry@intermec.com,
cthompso@sel.barc.usda.gov, windsord@tivoli.si.edu, dl@pick.uga.edu
Jack & Jesus,
I'm working with Christy Deal, Karen Perry, and Bill Armstrong at Intermec
to delevop a standard label stock that will suit the needs of all folks
willing to use code 49 on insect labels. I've seen two formats on INBio
labels, one which I think will work for everyone and another that I feel is
too large.
The one that I favor was on a label of an ALAS rogadine that Jack sent me.
It was a 0.56x0.315inch label in the format of single row of 17 human
readable alphanumerics under a 3 stack code 49 symbol, the specific
alphanumerics being "INBIOCRI002293305". One option that I like is for us
to adopt this format as a standard for insect collections. I think it
contains enough letters and digits to satisfy institutions with long
acronyms and with huge numbers of specimens. The label also can be made
small enough to satisfy folks concerned about the cost of range space. In
short, it's a great format that I hope everyone will accept.
The advantage of standardizing on one size of label is that we can all save
money. We will need to buy only a single dye, can order label stock in
bulk, and can share printers. If we print our own labels using Intermec's
3240 printer, we can get the above format on 0.625x0.315inch labels. If we
order more expensive preprinted labels, then we can use the slightly
smaller size that ALAS and UGCA are currently using, 0.56x0.315inch.
Thelsy Arias at INBio is in the process of ordering labels using the
original INBio format that has larger labels (0.85x0.3125) with "Costa
Rica" above a 3 stack symbol and alphanumerics to the right of the stacks
rather than below. The engineering department at Intermec has just started
to process this order and has done nothing that cannot be reversed if we
decide to standardize. Jesus, could you speak with Thelsy and others at
INBio and see how interested INBio would be in sharing costs and buying
0.625x0.315inch label stock in bulk? The advantages to INBio are cost
savings and smaller labels; the disadvantage is that there would be no room
for "Costa Rica" on your labels.
Before we make a decision, I'm investigating a final option. There is a
symbol called "DataMatrix" that is commonly used by computer board
manufactures to track chips. It is much smaller than code 49, packs in 30+
alphanumerics, and is easier to read. It can be read in any rotation, for
example. Its only disadvantage is that it cannot be read by our old
scanners. Intermec's 1470 Imager will read both code 49 and DataMatrix. I
plan to ask Intermec how much it would cost for to switch out all our old
scanners for new imagers; surely there currently can't be more than 10 or
so. I'll see if they may give us a cost reduction or grant to help us do
so. After all, we're a worthy cause with great P.R. potential! If I can
swing this, we'd be compatible and able to read our old barcodes but could
use newer technology on new ones.
Please send me your general reactions to these ideas. Jesus, please
forward this email to Thelsy.
Saludos,
Pick
_________________________________________________________
John Pickering
Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2602
Office: 706-542-1115 Messages: 706-542-3379
Laboratory: 706-542-1388 FAX: 706-542-3344
e-mail: pick@pick.uga.edu Home: 706-353-7076
Web sites: <www.discoverlife.org> <http://dial.pick.uga.edu>
_________________________________________________________
| Discover Life in America | Science | Unique Identifiers & Barcodes | Correspondence | John Pickering - 28 July, 1999 |