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+--- Thread: Way to print barcodes to track moving box contents? (/showthread.php?tid=113952)
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Way to print barcodes to track moving box contents? - DharmaDog - 03-18-2011
I'm starting to slowly pack boxes for an anticipated move this summer. Before packing, I will de-clutter and sell or donate whatever I can. But when I pack what remains into boxes, I'd like to be able to affix a barcode to the outside which I could scan with my iPhone which would then access a database on my Mac to tell me what is in that box.
For some things, like linens, this seems like a bit too much work, when simply opening the box would tell you quickly. But as I'm looking at my home office, I can see that I will have several boxes for this room alone that will have books, office items, cables, small electronics, etc. Having some way of knowing in detail what is in the box would help me find things quickly once moved.
Any suggestions for a solution to do this?
Re: Way to print barcodes to track moving box contents? - clay - 03-18-2011
don't know any barcode solutions, but what about a lower-tech solution that would be a little more accessible. Use an abbreviation for different rooms/items, and then record everything in something as simple as a text document that includes the abbreviation and brief description of contents. So:
OFC-012 (to mean "office" and then box 012). If you need more description, use a secondary descriptor
OFC-COM-012 (to mean "office", "computer", box 012)
Something like this would be easier to get help with from other people that don't have an iphone/scanner (i.e. people-friendly)
Just an idea
Re: Way to print barcodes to track moving box contents? - pqrst - 03-18-2011
Generate a QR code using a website like http://qrcode.kaywa.com/. I think that you have up 4000 characters to work with.
Print it out and slap on side of box.
QRreader software on a mac using the isight camera. Or you could use a smartphone to read the QR code.
Re: Way to print barcodes to track moving box contents? - Chakravartin - 03-18-2011
If you're just interested in quickly checking the contents of each box...
Make an inventory.
Make QR code images for each box with descriptions from the inventory and affix the images to the appropriate box.
Scan the QR code on each box using a QR code reader on your phone. The description that you entered when you made the QR code should appear in the QR code reader.
Re: Way to print barcodes to track moving box contents? - Trouble - 03-18-2011
I think you may be making things more complicated than they need to be. Buy some sticky labels and just write numbers on them. On your iPhone, open a text editor and type what is in the boxes.
1
Junk
More junk
Stuff
2
More stuff
Even more junk
3
Filler
Still more stuff
Re: Way to print barcodes to track moving box contents? - bazookaman - 03-18-2011
where's the fun in that????
Re: Way to print barcodes to track moving box contents? - pqrst - 03-18-2011
On a related subject, does anyone know if there is a handheld qr reader (in case someone doesn't have a smartphone). Thanks in advance.
Re: Way to print barcodes to track moving box contents? - DharmaDog - 03-18-2011
Chakravartin wrote:
If you're just interested in quickly checking the contents of each box...
Make an inventory.
Make QR code images for each box with descriptions from the inventory and affix the images to the appropriate box.
Scan the QR code on each box using a QR code reader on your phone. The description that you entered when you made the QR code should appear in the QR code reader.
Awesome!
I was looking at an App called Digit-Eyes. The lite version is free and seems to do what I want, but it requires the use of mailing labels. I have some - more than enough, but labels are always so difficult to deal with.
I can just go to the referenced site, create a QR label that supports up to 250 characters - more than enough for box contents, print it, affix it to the box and then scan it with RedLaser. Works great.
Thanks Chaka Khan & pqrst.
Re: Way to print barcodes to track moving box contents? - jimmy d - 03-18-2011
Re: Way to print barcodes to track moving box contents? - M A V I C - 03-18-2011
Why not just print the contents on a piece of paper and tape that to the box?