paul@aucs.UUCP (06/09/87)
We plan to install a network of Macs (SEs) this summer and are investigating
ways of keeping track of laser printer output so that user's can be charged.
In our current CP/M network a WordStar printing program we developed
counts pages as it is formatting output and updates a master accounting
file from which users are billed on a monthly basis. From our point of
view this approach is ideal since it requires no operator intervention.
Unfortunately, the complexity of printing operations on the Mac would seem
to eliminate such a simple solution. Three other possibilities could be:
1) do not charge users for output;
2) hire someone to count pages and distribute output;
3) use a magnetic card similar to ones available for photocopies that
keeps track of pages on the card.
Solution 1 is only viable for rich universities (which we aren't). Solution
2 is a bit better, but probably would end up costing as much as number 1.
Which brings me to number 3. Has anyone had any experience with these
cards in conjunction with a laser printer charging scheme. Our information
on them indicate that there are many ways to defeat them, which would be
unacceptable to us. Unfortunately, unless someone comes up with a better
solution, it seems to be the only possibility.
If anyone would care to shed some light on this subject, please email
your suggestions to me, and I'll summarize for the net. Thanks.
Paul H. Steele UUCP: {seismo|watmath|utai|garfield}!dalcs!aucs!Paul
Acadia University BITNET: {Paul|phs}@Acadia
Wolfville, NS Internet: {Paul|phs}%Acadia.BITNET@WISCVM.WISC.EDU
CANADA B0P 1X0 PHONEnet: (902) 542-2201x587lincoln@randvax.UUCP (Tom Lincoln) (06/12/87)
In article <368@aucs.UUCP> paul@aucs.UUCP (Paul Steele) writes: >We plan to install a network of Macs (SEs) this summer and are investigating >ways of keeping track of laser printer output so that user's can be charged. >Other possibilities could be: > 3) use a magnetic card similar to ones available for photocopies that > keeps track of pages on the card. > >Has anyone had any experience with these >cards in conjunction with a laser printer charging scheme. Our information >on them indicate that there are many ways to defeat them, which would be >unacceptable to us. Unfortunately, unless someone comes up with a better >solution, it seems to be the only possibility. Magnetic card access control and credit or debit functions have taken some of the same giant leaps forward that other electronic devices have. One of the leaders in the field with numerous controllers and specialized interfaces is XICO, Inc. 9737 Eton Ave. Chatsworth, CA 91311 (818) 709-4403 Telex 709577 I do have an interest. I am an outside director. o < ' . Tom Lincoln lincoln%iris@rand-unix.arpa / > ' `