Brief instructions

I wrote a brief note about CueCats to go out with a few I sold on eBay. It needs updating with the recent changes on LT which I'll do in the next few days. Meanwhile the old version can be downloaded as a pdf file.

Updated (see message 23 below) latest version is now on WikiThing.

That's pretty handy. Thanks!

Definitely a big help, thanks for putting those up!

Wow! I just received my CueCat and, after making one test scan (worked like a charm) to ensure that it worked, I declawed it. It was VERY easy to do. Thanks!

Just got mine and already used it, worked great! I love this thing, its going to be so nice to have when I get home and have to scan the rest of my library into LT!

A friend gave me a neutered CueCat. Do I need a driver? I'm using Microsoft XP with Service Pack 2.

It lights up. My computer recognizes something is plugged into the USB port. Thoughts?

No, you don't need drivers with a USB CueCat. Just swipe a bar code and see if you get some output - best to test in a simple text editor like NotePad.

Hey, great instructions -- the link to "how to neuter your CueCat" was very helpful as well (and worked perfectly). Thanks very much for taking the time to post it for the rest of us!

Thanks so much for this advice. I was ready to have my puss put down. No matter how I held my tongue, nor how inventive my cursing, I just could not get it to work. Now I am all set to attempt another ascent of the pile of uncatalogued books! *waves*

I've just updated the CueCat notes to version 3 this takes into account the changes in LibraryThing, various bits of learning from the groups here, some general information on barcodes and where to find them and some trouble-shooting notes.

GreyHead, thank you very much for that excellent documentation.

Rather than modify your CueCat users may prefer to use a software solution, such as CATNIP, which can be found at http://www.azalea.com/CueCat/ and possibly other places on the WEB. CATNIP decrypts the barcode on the fly, thereby avoiding opening your CueCat and snipping the appropriate pin from the large IC inside the CueCat.

Can't seem to get any output. I've read and reread the new directions, have an XP machine that says CueCat is installed, number lock on, Notepad open, etc., but nothing happens when I scan. Is there something very simple I'm overlooking? Thanks.

Sounds like you have the main bases covered. A few obvious things to check or try.

Check that the red light in the nose of the CueCat is on continuously (not just flashing).

Check the cursor is visible in NotePad and that it is the currently selected window.

Try a few different barcodes.

Try different speeds and directions, when I started I found it worked best to put the book flat on a desk and pull the CueCat towards me. I've no idea why.

Have someone else try . . .

It is always possible, though unlikely, that you have a faulty CueCat.

My CueCat has often been fussy. Sometimes it works when I scan it left to right, sometimes right to left, sometimes with top of scanner touching first, sometimes with bottom touching first. Just like my real cats, picky, picky, picky. :)

TooMuch I've found that you have to open the program after you plug in the cue cat. If that doesn't help it could be that it is conflicting with your keyboard. First step: restart!

Fantastic guide, thank you! I'm using Vista so was a little worried it wouldn't work, but it works like a charm. :)

Excellent, good to know that it still works with Vista - I'm holding off upgrading until I win the lottery (ridiculous prices in the UK).

If I'm scanning in bar codes offline, and then uploading, I'm assuming it will be a cut and paste operation? Still on dialup, sigh. thanks ...

No, I believe that you can scan into a text file then use Import to add the file to the queue. Check it out with a short file test though as I'm not certain that the import queue will handle raw CueCat output.

Excellent tips! Thanks for the excellent PDF, which solved my cuecat problems!

Update - I've transferred all the content from the old PDF (pictures and all ) into a group of articles in WikiThing see here.

That great, GH! I used your declawing PDF way back when and my 'Cat has been purring along ever since.

Oh, fantastic! Thanks, GreyHead!