The invention of barcodes started in 1948 when a supermarket chain expressed interest in being able to have an automated checkout system in their stores. This sparked the humble beginnings of what we know today. The problem was finding a system that was inexpensive to implement, worked quickly and would be applicable to many different types of products.

Some of the first versions of barcodes were very similar to the type that we see today. These innovative ideas involved drawing patterns with ultraviolet ink or making circular patterns to describe the numeric sequences. However, this technology was hindered by the fact that, at the time, engineers were unable to produce a cheap, reliable and easy to use scanner.

It took until 1969 to develop an inexpensive, accurate and fast scanning system. The helium-neon laser scanner proved to do everything that was necessary to read barcodes. It was small and used a mirror to capture and read codes that were some distance from the scanner itself.

Even though the barcodes and scanners were in place, testing and refinement would continue until the late 1970s. At this time, it had become something that was affordable for a business and was easy to use and install. By 1980 most grocery stores in the country were using laser scanners or were waiting to convert to them. Standards were also made, giving rise to the Universal Product Code or UPC, which is still in use today.

Innovations continued in the following decades including hand held scanners and wireless scanners. The codes themselves diversified. From the simple string of lines came two-dimensional barcodes which appear as a series of dots inside of a square or circle allowing more information to be encoded in a smaller area.

The applications expanded as the technology became more accessible. From scanning supermarket food items it was then used for other types of retail sales. Then came use by the post office to help automatically sort mail. The technology was used by warehouses to track and move inventory. They became useful for medical identification of drugs, records and patients themselves when printed on a bracelet. The Defense Department even adopted barcodes.

Today, barcodes are everywhere. They help to process information quickly and accurately. They reduce errors and make changing large amounts of information very easy. They can even be seen in art and as tattoos. They are a symbol of the information technology age. Without them, today’s modern world would slow down dramatically.

Imagine having to label every item in a grocery store with a price tag before putting it out on the shelves. Large pallets of merchandise would have to broken down by hand and checked for accuracy before shipping. Postal mail sorting would have to be done manually.

Fortunately, barcodes are a part of everyday life that will not soon go away. Although their form may change over time, what will remain is the efficiency and accuracy of a simple and inexpensive system that allows information to be gathered quickly from a dynamic source.

——

Investigate Wasp inventory control systems at Wasp Barcode – In the UK see a full range of stock control software and solutions from Wasp Barcode UK.

WINTER GEISHA WITH UMBRELLA AND LANTERN — Meiji-era Studio View (“Salt Print” # 1)


Image by Okinawa Soba (On the Road for a Week)
From a rare series of ca.1880s-90s full-plate images printed by sunlight on simple "salted paper", and hand-tinted with transparent water colors — but not by me. These large photos are all over 110 years old.

The process harks back to the very beginning of photography when Fox Talbot of England introduced the first commercially viable paper based photographic process to the world (but held himself and the world up with his jealously guarded patents).

Although the first prints were made from waxed PAPER NEGATIVES called CALOTYPES, these "Revival Salt Prints" seen in the 11 prints posted here were made with GLASS NEGATIVES.

The print paper had no emulsion layer (no collodian, albumen, or gelatin), and was developed right into the fibers of the PLAIN PAPER they used. As the tinting was applied, it soaked immediately into the paper, living up to the literal meaning of SATURATED color. As you can see here, both the photograph and color that saturated the paper have remained rich and vibrant.

However, a few photographers who also went down the salt print road were not so lucky, as poor processing and underexposed images tended to have fading problems.

That being said, a well done Salt Print is a beauty to behold.

Online Printing Company 4OVER4.COM Announces New Line of Specialty Printing Products for Marketing and Advertising …
New York Printing company 4OVER4.COM, one of the first online printing companies in the U.S., has announced the production of a new line of specialty print products at customers with promotional needs. The new specialty products are intended to satisfy the large demand for this particular group of printed materials which will be used by 4OVER4.COM customers for advertising, marketing, and public …
Read more on PRWeb

Hot off the press: Nanoscale Gutenberg-style printing
(PhysOrg.com) — When Gutenberg developed the principles of modern book printing, books became available to the masses. Hoping to bring technology capable of mass production to the nanometer scale, Udo Bach and this team of scientists at Monash University and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a nanoprinting process modeled on Gutenberg’s printing method. Their goal is the …
Read more on PhysOrg

by Steve Rhodes

Bijoux in French means ‘jewelry’. The 50s was a generation that played a role in the budding lives of the fashion accessory or jewelry manufacturing industry. How lovely of the French to be involved in the fashion industry when the rest of the world conceded.

Take for example Dorothy Fenwick’s self-published book, The Fabulous 50s: Florenza Art Hollycraft. When the rest of Europe and America were fighting over guns and the equilibrium of power, Fenwick surmised an era where fashion and jewelry equates to peace, love and revolution. Society became affluent and people paid more attention to the craft of jewelry making. Fenwick shared in this self-published book of hers the love and passion she acquired for this extensive collection.

Colored pages will take you to the best costume jewelry wholesale manufacturing companies in the country – Florenza, Art and Hollycraft – and be enamored at their unique products and designs. Costume jewelry is highlighted as vanity in an inexpensive form and lets everyone enjoy the glitz and glamour the jewelry industry brings to all classes in society.

This Xlibris release very much downplays the recession-infested fashion industry. The Fabulous 50s: Florenza Art Hollycraft will take you to the most unforgettable era there was, the 50s.

About the Author
Dorothy Fenwick has worked in the operating room for 47 years and 37 of those years as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist In the 1950es, she worked in a movie theater and would spend her paycheck on rhinestone jewelry or Elvis 45rpm records, Dorothy’s collecting got serious in the early 1970’s when she and her husband, Ron, spent their free time “antiquing”.

Today, Dorothy enjoys golf and travels between her homes in Arkansas, Alabama and Missouri. She is a member of both “The Society of Jewelry Historians” and “The Vintage Fashion and Costume Jewelry Club”, Dorothy truly loves wearing her costume jewelry and hopes you will enjoy this book and find it useful. Be sure to visit her website MsFentiques.com.

About Xlibris
Xlibris was founded in 1997 and, as the leading publishing services provider for authors, has helped to publish more than 20,000 titles. Xlibris is based in Bloomington, IN and provides authors with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound, and full-color formats.

For more information, please visit the book publisher’s website, e-mail pressrelease@xlibris.com or call at 1-888-795-4247, to receive a free publishing guide.

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How to Self-Publish Your Book
Twenty-six year-old author Amanda Hocking is an indie starlet in the self-publishing world. In one’s years time, she has written and sold nine books totaling nearly a million copies—banking her $ 2 million. The Minnesota native publishes mystic romance novels, virtually all of them in e-book form through the Amazon Kindle store, priced from 99 cents to $ 2.99 each. Digital publishing proved to be …
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Self-publishing Authors Compete for Best Book of the Year Award and the ,500 Grand Prize
Outskirts Press has announced the three finalists in its annual Best Book of the Year Award, which recognizes the best book overall that Outskirts Press published in 2010 as voted on by the readers of the Self Publishing News blog. (PRWeb April 12, 2011) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/4/prweb8293838.htm
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On 16th January, 2001, oil tanker ‘Jessica’ – with 160,000 gallons of diesel oil and 80,000 gallons of intermediate fuel oil on board, ran aground at Wreck bay near Galapagos Islands. The repercussions of the oil spill triggered by this accident affected the biodiversity rich Galapagos Islands big time by killing several sea lions and sea birds which were an important part of the ecosystem of this region. In 2002, a study published in – Nature, an interdisciplinary journal of science, revealed that the 2001 Galapagos Islands oil spill resulted in death of around 60 percent of the iguanas which were found on these islands all of which died within a year of the oil spill. The researchers at the Princeton University who carried out this study added that the oil ingestion killed the digestion-assisting microbes in the gut of these iguanas, as a result of which they eventually died of starvation.

Are Oil Spills the Only Culprits?

The 2001 Galapagos Islands oil spill is just one of the numerous oil spills that various oceans of the world have been subjected to over the last decade or so, while the iguana is just one of the numerous species which have been affected by ocean pollution caused by these oil spills. In fact, the compilation of statistics on ocean pollution reveals that around 3-4 oil spills occur in some or the other part of the world every year. Even though these oil spills are serious hazards for the marine life, the concept of marine pollution is not just restricted to them – but goes well beyond. In fact, 80 percent of the ocean pollution causes are attributed to land-based activities, while a mere 20 percent are attributed ocean-based activities. So what are the different types of ocean pollution that we are talking about here?

Different Types of Ocean Pollution

Basically, marine pollution – aka ocean pollution, refers to the contamination of ocean water by harmful chemicals which are discharged into these ocean bodies as a result of human or natural activities. When we refer to different types of marine pollution we take into consideration what these harmful chemicals are, and how they are introduced into the oceans. Sewage waste discharge into the oceans is one of the major source of pollution when it comes to the marine biome. Sewage is either discharged into the oceans directly, or dumped into the rivers from it is carried to the oceans. Even today, several countries continue to dump sewage waste in oceans without subjecting it to proper treatment which is required to get rid of harmful matter in the same. Sewage waste discharge into the oceans is not just restricted to land-based structures, as large vessels also dump tonnes of garbage into the oceans every single day. In fact, a single cruise ship is known to generate, and dump, more than a million gallons of waste water into the ocean on a single trip (see ocean pollution facts).

Industrial waste is one of the most prominent causes of ocean pollution. In fact, it is much more harmful as compared to sewage water pollution as the pollutants in this case include toxic metals such as cadmium, mercury, lead, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), etc. These toxic metals which are suspended in the waste water are also introduced into the oceans either directly or through the rivers. While the problem of industrial waste threatens the oceans around developed countries, it is the problem of agricultural waste that threatens the oceans around the countries which still rely on agriculture to a certain extent. The chemicals used in agricultural practices most often make it to the oceans in form of surface runoff following heavy rains. At times these chemicals can also seep into the ground, get mixed into ground water, and make it to the oceans eventually.

Contamination of oceans by oil is not just restricted to oil spills. In fact, oil is introduced into these oceans by means of surface runoff, marine transportation and routine maintenance of ships, natural oil seeps, offshore oil drilling, etc. Experts argue that marine transportation in itself is a far bigger threat than the oil spills which are caused as a result of accidents in oceans once in a while. Huge containers of toxic material accidentally fall in the oceans when they are being transported from one place to another. As a part of routine maintenance, these ships flush out significant amount of oil – which is eventually dumped into the oceans. While natural oil seeps are triggered as a result of the crustal movements of the Earth, oil seeps can also occur as result of off-shore drilling.

This may come as a surprise for many, but air pollution/atmospheric pollution is also known to fuel ocean pollution. Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide which are released in the atmosphere get dissolved into the ocean water in course of time, in a process which is by and large similar to oxygen getting dissolved in water. More importantly, oceans absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and that happens to be a serious issue if you take into consideration the fact that the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide is on a rise as a result of various human activities. Deep sea mining is also believed to be one of the causes of ocean pollution, but the impact of the same is yet to be ascertained as it is a relatively new concept.

Irrespective of which of these types of ocean pollution it is, at the end of the day it’s the marine biome which has to bear its brunt. While the effects of ocean pollution on marine organisms and plants are more than obvious, the same also affects us human beings in a long term. While there is no dearth of laws which prohibit dumping of all these pollutants in the oceans, the implementation of these laws is very poor at the grass-root level, and that’s where we need to put in some efforts if we are to save the marine ecosystem.

by Tjflex2

Book printing requires the use of robust techniques in order to publish books that meet the standards of the present generation. Ideally, every household should have access to books anytime. There has been a noticeable increase in published books in recent years, thanks to new technology that enables en mass production. Before the book printer was introduced to mankind in the 19th century, book printing and publishing was at a really slow phase, limiting readership to the elite and mighty. Not any more. There’s no limit to how many books can be produced especially since the global population is growing at an alarming rate. Anyone can produce a book as long as it meets the set standards.

Some of the various book printing services are – Book Printing and Binding – Book Printing is the production of copies of a book loaded with the same content. Book binding is attaching together of the books pages in order to produce single document. The method used to bind a book depends on the strength of the final product. A strong binding material ensures that the papers stay intact longer, helping you to save on the cost of re-binding in the near future or buying a new copy altogether.

Spiral binding – For this type of binding, the publisher will use a spiral -like wire to join the book pages. This is one of the most commonly used methods of binding books nowadays. It also happens to be the cheapest. The book printing cost is much lower when it comes to spiral binding and will save a lot of money.

Booklet binding (saddle stitching) – It is a method that is generally applied to small booklets that has fewer pages. An example of this type of binding is the note books and diaries, whereby the binding is done with stitches using an appropriate thread such that the pages cannot pluck out quite easily.

Various types of hard cover book binding – It is recommended that a hard cover should be used to bind books. Hard covers will keep the inside of the book clean so it saves pages from getting plucked off more easily. Books require good maintenance otherwise they can easily get damaged. Therefore books should not be kept on moist shelves, as papers can easily absorb water damaging the books. There are also some other forms of binding like foil blocking and several other types of book finishing.

Printing Technology (Design Concepts)

• ISBN13: 9780766822320
• Condition: USED – Acceptable
• Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Printing Technology takes readers on a journey from the beginnings of the graphic arts industry through today’s cutting-edge digital technology. Now in its fifth edition, this popular book has been reorganized to provide readers with a firmer grasp of how digital printing technologies are revolutionizing the industry. Traditional analog printing methods are reviewed in the first six chapters, establishing the foundation from which readers will develop an understanding of the state-of-the-art tec

List Price: $ 123.95

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by fragmented

Truly, online printing has been around for quite some time now. As years went by, it continuously evolved into the quick and hassle-free process that it is now. Among the innovations that contributed to its ever increasing popularity are internet breakthroughs and digital photography as well. Indeed, it has slowly transformed online printing into an industry of convenience and proficiency. Anyone who wishes to print their materials online can do so in a jiffy. The question however is, do you actually know how to settle for the ultimate printing services via the Net? Take time to read the following tips and you’ll definitely be enlightened when you finally print online.

You will find that there are numerous online printing services that you can pick from once you decide to print online. However, not all these printers would provide you with remarkable service. As a client, it is important to learn how to determine which of these printing companies provide real competent service and which ones simply do not. You might want to check on two attributes of the printing company – specifically how long it has been operating and if it has kept a good record all these years. If you find a company that’s into online printing for a long time now and has established a great reputation, then you might want to pay attention to it. This may be the printer you’re looking for. You should also check on the printer’s physical location. This is one tangible proof that the company does exist.

Another element of online printing that should be considered is the kind of equipment that the printing company utilizes. You may want a small printing project done by your printer but you definitely want the latter to have advanced machineries to ensure that you’re given high-quality print materials in the end. Truly, you are guaranteed of outstanding and long-lasting materials if you print online with high-tech facilities. On the other hand, printing companies with modern printing equipment are definitely keen to demonstrate their competent printing services to their customers.

Again, to experience the benefits of quality online printing, it is important to choose a printing company that has been in the industry for quite some time now. This means they already have great experience, knowledge and skills when it comes to the production and printing process of marketing collaterals. Today, most entrepreneurs give away a diverse assortment of marketing collaterals. Among these are catalogs, post cards, leaflets and of course business cards. And these are constantly updated and re-printed. So to make the printing activity faster and easier for any business man, it is crucial that he/she consistently partners with an online printer that is known to put premium on good quality at a price that’s right.

It is also important to identify what your options for delivery are when you print online. Majority of online printers offer delivery services. Nonetheless, there are many customers who forget to take this factor into account when they place their orders. And this is one mistake that you should keep away from because it might also incur extra costs on your part. Before placing any orders, see to it you know what delivery options your printing company can provide you with. If you want your collaterals to be sent by mail to your house or office, check if your printer offers this kind of delivery service. This would definitely save you time and money. Don’t forget as well to determine the company’s delivery costs. Some printing companies require additional delivery rates in certain locations. Indeed, it is crucial to know your delivery options before you go into online printing.

These are just a few of the elements that you should take into account if you seek to print online. Make sure you consider them on your forthcoming projects so as to gain the many advantages of your online printing venture.

The Great Wave at Kanagawa , c.1829 Poster Print by Katsushika Hokusai, 36×24

• Print Title: The Great Wave at Kanagawa , c.1829
• Artist: Katsushika Hokusai
• Size: 36 x 24 inches

Decorate your home or office with high quality posters. The Great Wave at Kanagawa , c.1829 is that perfect piece that matches your style, interests, and budget.

List Price: $ 10.00

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Bookmark Self Publishing Prepares for Onslaught of New Books

(PRWEB) October 28, 2010

Facebook made social media popular, now Bookmark Self Publishing brings that same formula to the self publishing industry.

The recent introductions of new digital reading devices such as Amazon’s Kindle, Apple’s iPad, Barnes and Noble’s Nook and Sony’s Reader is an indicator that book reading has entered a whole new dimension. This new technology is finally letting the era of eBooks come of age. Now with the advent of digital book readers and major book stores finally accepting independent publishers, considerably more books are being written than ever before.

In order to address this growing popularity in writing and self publishing, Bookmark Self Publishing (a division of E-State Media Group Co-op) has recently upgraded their already popular self publishing website, to include Social Connectivity. This means that authors, writers, publishers and editors can now connect with one another in a safe, social media setting where they all have one thing in common – books.

Bookmark Self Publishing has long been a resource to self publishers, providing free book layout templates, and free book cover templates as well as free advice on all aspects of printing, publishing and marketing of books. Now by adding the connectivity of social networking with like-minded individuals, even more information and cross marketing opportunities are possible. Available for authors globally at:http://www.bookmarkselfpublishing.com/main/community.html

Located near Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, Bookmark Self Publishing represents the future of book publishing, today.

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