Tape Barcodes

The tape cartridges used by the tape library are all labeled with barcodes and a human readable tag.

These are created using the barcode command and the following script:

for ((i=1;i<31;i  ));do printf "SIMdL3\n" $i; done | barcode -t 2x15 20 30-20-28 -u mm -o label.ps -e code39 -p 8.5x11in -m 20,3 -c

Adjusting “i” e.g.

 ((i=30;i<61;i  )) 

and such will create the rest of the labels-or multiple pages can also be created at once

 ((i=1;i<121;i  ))

Changing the printf input will change the value for the barcode-whatever you want labeled.

barcode flags are fairly straightforward, for more info see the man page.¹

The label.ps file should be printed to a laser printer and printed onto label stock² then trimmed to fit the back of the cartridge before sticking it on^3.

1) http://linux.die.net/man/1/barcode

2) Avery Product Number: 8066 or equivalent

3) With the aforementioned label stock you just need to trim a little bit of white space from each end before applying-the paper cutter works well for trimming the whole sheet quickly.