Generating a barcode

There are lots of places on the web where you can generate your own barcode free of charge

http://www.barcodesinc.com/generator/index.php Quick and easy, nothing fancy

http://www.barcoding.com/upc/ Choose your symbology and output format

http://www.idautomation.com/java/linearservlet.html for every option possible

I've been brainstorming ways to use unique personal a barcode (other than in retail)

1. When I go to the hospital I don't have to fill out forms - just swipe this

2. At conference registration and for entry to different sessions

3. To figure out who is eating what in the fridge (swipe and link to a database)

4. In case of emergency - it holds my name and a phone number

5. For entry / exit into clubs and cinemas

6. Entry / exit into festivals

7. Using up coupons, vouchers or cumulative things (swipe and count down)

8. On the machines down the gym, swipe and record my progress

Where I use a barcode now (though it is organisation specific rather than unique to me)

1. At the library

2. Supermarket loyalty schemes

3. Hospital forms (though I am still asked for information)

4. Drug matching in hospital

Screen Sharing; why we're using Glance

The annual invoice arrived for paying for our screen-sharing services. In these times of economic hardship we've had to do some testing to check out value for money etc. There are many screen sharing and conferencing tools available that are free. So why are we not using them?

Well, I spent the better part of a morning testing out a number of the freebies.

YUUGUU, Crossloop, Gotomeeting and a few others.

a) All those I looked at required the person accessing the conference to download software. I don't mind downloading it onto my computer. However, most of the businesses we work with have strict controls that do not allow employees to download software. So that was the biggest limiting factor.

b) A couple of the trials ended up with all of us losing the plot. Either the file conflicted with Google Chrome or some other rather minor yet annoying thing that didn't go to plan. I feel that it only takes 1 small irritation to put someone off web conferencing and I would prefer not to put participants though any hassle whatsoever

c) Some tools have more facilities than Glance. For us, the cost of those facilities outweighs the experience. They take longer to load, longer to log on and then everyone needs some degree of acquaintance using them. Unrequired hassle.

So like a really good washing machine - I need only those programs I will use, it needs to do the job I ask for it, and needs to be so blindingly obvious in it use that if I have to refer to a manual then there is something wrong with the design.

So, we'll pay the invoice for Glance now...!

Sharing emails: Moomeo

Well I am not entirely sure this is a good thing...

If you have an email or a series of emails and you want to share it/them then you can email it to post@moomeo.com. You then get a link which you then share (not by email - could have done that in the first place..). What this link enables you to do is to put the email onto social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook.

I can think of a number of ways this might be useful, especially if you don't have a blog or website you can easily update and then link back to. On the other hand, it could be a nightmare for corporate media and IT managers as emails find their way into a more viral social media system.

Trendmetr: find out frequency of search term in Twitter

I love Trendmetr http://www.trendmetr.com for providing a minute by minute updates on keywords I choose. The frequency shows as bars and you can add as many (it seems) keywords as you like.

This is a real time view on what is being said on Twitter. Useful if you want to know how trends are happening, as they happen, rather than rely on the Twitter "Top Ten".

Convert files online to make icons

If you are a web developer or just someone who wants to make some nice icons to use in your documents then creating these seems simple until you try. Reducing file sizes and creating the right type of file is sometimes difficult.

I've found an easy way which requires no software download and the process is really straightforward

http://www.converticon.com/ is a website dedicated to doing this - simply.

Real time chat translator; babelwith.me

Think MSN across languages..

This systems which is in Alpha (very early stages of release) looks like an instant messaging system. I was unable to test it with many languages as I would then need people speaking those language to have an online conversation with me! However, it seems to manage the translation as you type.

I am thinking this application could be excellent for communication in health care settings where the patient / carer may not speak good English. Using a system like this would enable the health care professional to communicate with the patient, even while sitting face to face in a consultation. If anyone tests it out in this setting do let me know. Currently translators are used which often means appointments are delayed and this is also an expensive process. While this may not replace all of that, this system could go a long way to helping those who just need a bit of language help in the communication.

If you are so inclined (probably not for health care situations) you can share the conversation on Twitter or Facebook very easily using their tools.

Online charting using Chartle

Chartle is a very simple way of creating and publishing and interactive online chart.  Useful foro embedding into your website or blog.

Their sales pitch has a note about how many charts are available in printed publications and then how much less are available online.  Something to think about I guess...