Re: Articles on RC5 and GOST in January 95 Dr Dobbs Journal

[roy@cybrspc.mn.org (Roy M. Silvernail)]

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In list.cypherpunks, tcmay@netcom.com writes:

>> Around the mid 1980's a rather interesting device appeared. It was
>> essentially an automated scanner for high-density barcodes.

> "Cauzin Softstrips" was the product, as I recall. I wouldn't use the
> word "quite" in "It never quite caught on," except in irony, as I'm
> pretty sure essentially _no_ such machines were sold. Maybe a few, but
> not many more. 

I remember the product, including the test strip printed in BYTE that
caused a flurry of "what's this?" letters.  I'm sure Tim is right about
very few readers being sold.  But I think that 2 other things
influenced the Cauzin's demise.  There was the steady drop in magnetic
media prices that eroded the potential savings in storage on paper.  But
I think the more important event was that Cauzin was bought by Kodak.
This was at a time when Kodak was getting into mag media pretty heavily
(both computer disks and video tape).  I always sort of assumed Kodak
bought Cauzin to rid themselves of some competition.
- -- 
       Roy M. Silvernail         [ ]  roy@cybrspc.mn.org
    "Governments find it notoriously difficult to work with people
    that they cannot shoot."  -- James A. Donald <jamesd@netcom.com>

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