Affordable Mag-Stripe Card Readers for Linux? 22
Skip Franklin asks: "I'm looking for a mag-stripe card reader to use with a Linux kiosk. I've searched all over the web, but I'm not finding much in the way of hardware vendors that say they support Linux. There's tons of stuff on smartcards, but I just want a simple (read: cheap) mag-stripe reader. Anyone using one of these (preferrably USB interface, serial if necessary)?" Anyone who's had better luck than Skip at finding such a beast?
Keyboard Wedges (Score:2, Insightful)
It strikes me that they cost about $75/per when we were buying them. But, those wedges also cost about $50. Not too mention they need a dedicated PC for each one.
Re:Keyboard Wedges (Score:1)
sorry i couldnt be more helpful
VAX
MagTek (Score:5, Informative)
If you're looking for more configurability, have a look at IDT-Net [idt-net.com]'s readers. They are available in the stand-alone and kiosk-styles like MagTek, but they have models [idt-net.com] that can be programmed to pre-pend, post-pend, and modify swiped data before transmittal. That feature is REALLY nice when you're trying to decode some custom membership card that's got it's own wierd track II format. The Omni readers are in the $180 range.
Easy (Score:1)
There's plenty that plug into a PS2 keyboard socket so they're O/S independent.
What about writers? (Score:1, Offtopic)
Re:What about writers? (Score:1)
The first thought to my mind was "Yea, you just want a backup..."
Re:What about writers? (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:What about writers? (Score:1)
Too bad some stores actaully look at the card.
OS independence... use a keyboard wedge (Score:3, Insightful)
--Mike--
Smart Card readers are cheaper. (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Smart Card readers are cheaper. (Score:1)
Re:Smart Card readers are cheaper. (Score:3, Informative)
A quick check on google shows that mag strips cards average around $0.30 each in quantities of 100. Smartcards that hold 1k of data are the same price.
Re:Smart Card readers are cheaper. (Score:1)
Re:Smart Card readers are cheaper. (Score:2)
-Adam
Re:Smart Card readers are cheaper. (Score:2)
My understanding of the encoding is that it is a LOT like barcodes - in fact I've dealt with a percon barcode reader in the past which you could just replace the barcode wand with a mag stripe reader and read magstripes. They also had a barcode reader which worked like a magstripe "slot" reader. Imagine the mess if you had to "clock" a barcode with a mechanical roller or similar. Goodbye automatic package handling.
Re:Smart Card readers are cheaper. (Score:2)
Build it yourself... (Score:3, Informative)
Check here [xs4all.nl] for schematics and other info about smartcards.
There's also source code available to drive the damn machine you can build with the info on the site. AFAIK tested on Linux and FreeBSD and it worked.
Correct me if I am wrong, but.... (Score:2)
Should work with Linux or anything you use I'd imagine.
Keyboard pass-through Mag Stripe Reader. (Score:1)
Got it from ID Innovations Inc. Cost around 50 bucks Canadian from a catalog. Simply connects to the keyboard port and passes the decoded information as keystrokes. No drivers required. All you'd need to do is design your application to recognize specific text strings.
Tried all sorts of cards too. Drivers licence, credit card, health card, etc. All of them worked.
Amazing how much info can be stored in one of those mag stripes.