Barcode/13 is a free alternative to expensive hardware solutions. Barcode/13 can't be seen as a business solution, but it is definitely the cheapest solution for non-business use, like cave, books, CDs or DVDs inventories.

Press a long time the 5-way navigation center button to launch Barcode/13. Your Treo will return to the current application when you will leave Barcode/13. If you have confirmed a barcode, the decoded value of your barcode is available in your clipboard and can be copied within any application allowing clipboard manipulations.

Press a long time the side button to launch Barcode/13. Your Treo will return to the current application when you will leave Barcode/13. If you have confirmed a barcode, the decoded value of your barcode is available in your clipboard and can be copied within any application allowing clipboard manipulations.

Barcode/13 works on palmOne Treo600 and palmOne Treo650, however palmOne Treo600 has a camera measuring the brightness and producing very saturated pictures: due to this, it can be difficult to get a sharp image, sharp enough to recognize the barcode. palmOne Treo650 has a camera that will make it easier to use with Barcode/13. If you don't have a proper contrast with you palmOne Treo600 you can place a sheet of blank paper close to your barcode, this will force the camera to modify the automatic contrast level.

Barcode/13 will give you best results if you follow some recommendations:
Your barcode should be lighted without any shade, the easiest way and recommended way is to face the light source.

Best distance is about 15cm with barcode parallel to your Treo.

Barcode/13 works best with surfaces like CDs or DVDs, it is possible to use it with bottles but it may require a little training to get the good lighting conditions and to have a symmetric position.

Don't move your Treo while scanning the barcode: a fuzzy image won't help!

Nominal size of a UPC/EAN symbol is 1.469" wide x 1.02" high, the minimum recommended size is 80% of the nominal size or 1.175" wide x .816" high, the maximum recommended size is 200% of the nominal size or 2.938" wide x 2.04" high. Larger barcodes scan better, smaller barcodes do not scan as well or not at all.

When running Barcode/13, you can see a red target with 2 widths and a green line. Green line is the position that will be used to analyse the barcode, the four vertical lines are recommended sizes for large and small barcodes. Recent barcodes are often large barcodes, but some products have smaller barcodes. If you have a large barcode, point your Treo to fill the large target with your barcode (keep the barcode inside, don't oversize it). If you have a small barcode, the small target will be a better idea. If your barcode is medium size, something between the 2 targets will be fine.