fP-Tech's bio-metrics

[Nancy Palmquist]

Fairlight wrote:
> 
> Is it just me, or did Walter Vaughan say:
> >
> > I don't know for a fact, but since fpGI runs on SCO-Unix and variants, I
> > am guessing that the hooks for this are built into the fpGI windows clients.
> 
> Yeah, but they specified ODBC.  And Nancy's reply doesn't address that
> fact.  That or my interpretation of her post does not reveal to me her
> addressing of the point.  Either way, if ODBC is required, and they're
> saying, "Later on we'll support multiuser *nix," then in light of their
> stance on ODBC for *nix, I'm making a semi-educated inference that you'd
> -also- need a separate Windows machine just for the ODBC.  Which, to me,
> doesn't equate with full *nix support.

Ok so I was not clear.  They used ODBC on WIndows to give the end user
the most possible capabilities.  If they want to interact with ODBC data
they can, if they don't need to that is ok also.

I did not mean to imply that the UNIX version will require fpODBC to use
the scanner.  As I understand, the equivalent of the .dll's that were
written on the Windows platform are required to be written for Unix.  It
is already underway.  Most likely first for Linux, I think I have that
right, but the UNIX release will probable use the normal filePro with
GIServer and GIclient.

Source code will be available (for a price) and this will allow much
more extensive development if desired.  But I understand that the most
basic purchase will be programmed with CALL routines that can be
attached to other developed applications without the source for the
CALL's.

> 
> > I just about coughed when I saw the price of $3995 for a single user
> > application that included the device, but it includes a copy of fpGI
> > server and a couple of GI-client licenses.

OK Lets add it up:

fpODBC Single User runtime $195   (might be development not sure from
docs.)
GI Server	$495
Additional User	$225.
Annual License  $395.
Finger Scanner  $500  (Just a guess)

Now so far that is $1,810

So that leaves: $2,185 for the developed application - ready to go.

All your customer needs to add is the PC / Laptop.

I can't write a program for that kind of money.  If you break it down, I
guess the cost makes sense.  But I shook my head at the prices also.

But I did hear that they will be renting laptops with a full
installation on a monthly fee, if you want to play with it for a month
or show it to prospects and try to get the first couple of sales going
before you invest.  That sounds like something that would allow us to
"kick the tires" and see if the car runs.

Lee/Bud will be available if you need a "closer" to show a big client. 
They are excited and it is hard not to get caught up in it.  I hope it
works out.

Nancy



> 
> Yeah...lots of stuff in there.  And one wonders just how much is needed to
> accomplish using such a thing in conjunction with fP.  I'm no expert on it,
> but from what people have told me, it's probably not too far off doing
> barcode or credit card scanner stuff.  In which case it seems...well, like
> possibly an attempt to jump-start incoming revenue from the tertiary
> products using this as a vehicle.
> 
> Hey, they need revenue as much as the next guy, so I'm not crying foul.
> I'm just wondering how much of what they're citing is actually -necessary-
> to do a scheme like that.  I have suspicions that it's a lot less.
> 
> > If I were Bob Rassmussen, I'd just add in API's from different finger
> > scanners (I found several online) and add it into AnzioWin and call it
> > AnzioWinID (whatever) and have a solution that doesn't require changes
> > to any code nor require fpGI.
> 
> That would be cooler indeed.  The lack of re-development is the big bonus
> there.
> 
> > Make it no different than using a barcode wedge to input data into
> > filepro fields.
> 
> That's how I'm looking at it.
> 
> > If I had unlimited time, I'd get me one of those parallel port finger
> > scanners, and 'speriment. I bet it's not rocket science to read the
> > parallel port even from unix.
> 
> They're character device nodes.  What does that tell you? :) Open /dev/lp*
> and start reading against the spec for whatever reader.
> 
> mark->
> --
> Bring the web-enabling power of OneGate to -your- filePro applications today!

-- 
Nancy Palmquist 
Virtual Software Systems
PHONE: (412) 835-9417			Web site:  http://www.vss3.com