Believe it or not Jack;

For a small quantity of tapes, I was able to use Microsoft Word to print
barcode labels.  Okay they did not have color, and I had to first find a
good 3 of 9 font on the web, but once that work was done, I was able to
print barcodes with my own readable human words underneath.  The barcode
rules require an eight digit code surrounded by the start and stop
characters. The last two digits of the 8 character label is L1.  So I used
"*SB0010L1*" to indicate my sysback tape number 10.  The bar coding font
has to be large enough for the reader to read without error.  Some
libraries can read fine barcode print, and others required quite large
barcode font size.




                      "Coats, Jack"
                      <Jack.Coats@BANKST        To:       ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST 
DOT EDU
                      ERLING.COM>               cc:
                      Sent by: "ADSM:           Subject:  Re: LTO external 
labels
                      Dist Stor Manager"
                      <[email protected].
                      EDU>


                      10/06/2003 10:50
                      AM
                      Please respond to
                      "ADSM: Dist Stor
                      Manager"






Great news. ... Thanks for the info.

Does anyone know of good software (freeware/open source) to print LTO-1
barcode labels?

TIA ... Jack

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Prather, Wanda [SMTP:Wanda.Prather AT JHUAPL DOT EDU]
> Sent: Monday, October 06, 2003 11:10 AM
> To:   ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
> Subject:      LTO external labels
>
> Some time ago, someone on this list wrote inquiring about the use of
> external labels on LTO1 cartridges.
> Many other types of cartridges have a recessed area for applying an
> external
> identifying label other than the bar code, but the LTO cartridges do not.
>
> We also have a requirement for external ownership labels, and here is our
> experience:
>
> We bought some Avery non-removable printer labels, 3.5 x 3/4 inch.
> We put one on the top rear of the cartridge (over the recessed arrow).
> We put another on the back face of the cartridge (the surface opposite
the
> bar code - that one required trimming down a bit shorter.)
>
> I did 200 forced mounts/dismounts of the cartridge.
> Now this TSM server isn't terribly busy; 200 mounts should correspond to
> something like 3 months normal use for our busiest tapes.
>
> I had no peeling, curled edges, mount failures, or jams.
> There are no scuffs or any indications of wear on the labels.
>
> So we consider this an acceptable risk.
> Granted the print is tiny, but it will suffice.
>
> IBM LTO1 drives, IBM LTO1 cartridges.
 > YMMV.