llg@we53.UUCP (llg) (02/07/86)
This is to introduce to the net a new product I recently saw advertized in Family Computing. It is in the March issue Vol 4 Number 3. I believe it is also in Byte January issue page 76. It is called "Softstrip" by Cauzin Systems. Inc., 835 South Main St., Waterbury, CT 06706. Phone 1-800-533-7323 & in CT 573-0150 Description follows: The Softstrip allows text, graphics, and data to be encoded on a strip of paper and then easily entered into your computer using the Cauzin Softstrip System Reader thus creating a simple, reliable and cost efficient way to distribute and retrieve information. The data strips can contain anything that can be put on magnetic disks like facts, figures, software programs, video games, product demonstrations and sheet music. One strip can hold up to 5500 bytes of encoded data. It can stand up to wrinkles, scratches, ink marks and even coffee stains. The reader plugs into a serial or cassette port & is placed over the strip. It scans the strip, converts it to computer code, and feeds it into any standard communication interface. Cauzin says because the strips are so easy to generate, many magazines and books will be using them in addition to long lists of program code. You will be able to enter programs without typing a single line. There is software so you can generate your own strips to let you send correspondence to business information. At present it has been checked out on McIntosh, Apple II, and AT&T 6300 and should work on most PC compatibles. The price is $199.95 which I think is very reasonable considering the potential for this product. Please do not consider this an endorsement because I have not even received a brochure yet. I will make a followup on what I find out about it to the net. Please do not contact me but do call Cauzin if you want more info about your requirements and possible applications. I asked about discounts but they said "No" because they are running everything thru computer store dealers so that there will be proper support for this new product. Any "group" purchases would have to be dfiscussed at that time but I was told everyone would still have to go thru a dealer. When you call them, mention you heard about it on the net, OK?