THE WHATIS.COM WORD-OF-THE-DAY October 22, 2002 keyboard wedge ______________ TODAY'S SPONSOR: Postmaster Direct
Sign up today to receive free information and offers about computers, networking, wireless devices, security, and other timely IT topics. Choose the specific topics you would like to learn more about. Visit http://whatis.techtarget.com/postmasterDirect/ ______________ TODAY'S WORD: keyboard wedge See our definition with hyperlinks at http://searchcio.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid19_gci858417,00.html A keyboard wedge is a hardware device inserted between a computer's keyboard and point-of-sale (POS) terminal that translates digital signals from a barcode reader or magnetic strip reader (MSR) into keyboard strokes. Typically, a keyboard gets plugged into the wedge, and a cable from the wedge is then plugged into the computer's keyboard port. Data sent through a wedge appears as if it was typed into the computer, while the keyboard itself remains fully functional. Because a computer using a keyboard wedge can't tell the difference between data that is entered by a scanning device, or data that is entered by keyboard typing, a wedge can be used to easily add barcode reading capability to an existing computer without modifying software applications. A software-based keyboard wedge application can be used to provide similar functionality without additional hardware. RELATED TERMS: POS terminal http://searchcio.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid19_gci774854,00.html bar code http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci213536,00.html barcode reader http://searchcio.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid19_gci857995,00.html ______________________ SELECTED LINKS: Barcodeman answers the question "What is a Keyboard Wedge?" http://www.barcodeman.com/altek/mule/wedge.php A keyboard wedge interface is an easy way to incorporate barcode technology. http://www.csensors.com/kbdwedge.html ______________________ THIS DAY IN IT HISTORY | October 22, 1938 Chester Floyd Carlson, a patent lawyer, successfully obtained an "instant copy" by using electrophotography, a method of dry photocopying in which the image is transferred by electric charges. In 1947, the Haloid Company, which later changed its name to Xerox, licensed the process. http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci840676,00.html ______________________ CROSSWORD PUZZLE #5 | Firewalls Improve your flexible thinking skills. Print out the puzzle and keep it nearby to work on throughout your day! http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci856796,00.html ______________________ QUIZ #17 | DSL Are your brain cells "always on"? Take our quiz and find out! http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci783951,00.html ______________________ REAL-LIFE CHALLENGE #18 | Can backup tapes wear out? Bob wants to know if there's a shelf-life for backup tapes. How long can you use the same tapes over and over before they need to be permanently retired? http://whatis.discussions.techtarget.com/WebX?msgInContext@;166.6Twoa8pir9i.0@.1dcfae0e/148!viewtype=threadDate&skip=&expand= ______________________________ RECENT ADDITIONS AND UPDATES [1] HyperTransport http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci858113,00.html [2] barcode reader http://searchcio.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid19_gci857995,00.html [3] Quiz #32: Securing Your Network http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid14_gci857673,00.html [4] gas constant http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci858191,00.html [5] TP0-TP4 http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid7_gci854617,00.html ____________________________________________________________________ ::::::::::::::::::: WHATIS.COM CONTACTS ::::::::::::::::::: LOWELL THING, Site Editor ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) ____________________________________________________________________ MARGARET ROUSE, Associate Editor ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) ___________________________________________________________________ :::::::::::::::::::: ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER ::::::::::::::::::::: Published by TechTarget (http://www.techtarget.com) TechTarget - The Most Targeted IT Media Copyright 2002, All Rights Reserved. If you would like to sponsor this or any TechTarget newsletter, please contact Gabrielle DeRussy at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe from 'Word of the Day' - Simply Reply to this Email with REMOVE within the Body or Subject > or - Go to: http://WhatIs.techtarget.com/register - Log in to edit your profile. - Click on the link to Edit email subscriptions. - Uncheck the box next to the newsletter you wish to unsubscribe from. - When finished, click "Save Changes to My Profile."
