Before you commit to sending us all your cards, first photocopy just 3 cards and mail the paper copies to us, as a trial run. We'll convert them to text and e-mail the results to you, at no charge, so you can see how well they come out.
To avoid extra charges, please follow all instructions carefully.
Our software is somewhat forgiving:
Tilt is not a major problem, as our software automatically detects the slope of each card and compensates.
Uneven column spacing is handled too.
The entire top and bottom and sides of each card must be visible (not cropped off or hidden by other cards) in the photocopy image.
Copy only the back side of each card (not the printed side, because the printing confuses our software).
Copy the cards with either (a) a black piece of paper behind them, or (b) with the photocopier lid open, and then adjust your copier's brightness controls so that all holes copy as black rectangles.
After copying, your card(s) should look like this.
Write a short cover letter, asking for a "Card Reader Free Trial." Enclose the card images, and mail to the address below.
Sample letter:
Dear Sir,
I've enclosed 1-3 punch cards.
Could you please read the cards and send me the output,
under the rules of your Card Reader Free Trial plan?
I have a total of ____ cards to read (including these ones).
Sincerely,
x
We'll prove that we can read the cards and send you the text.
We don't check our PO Box unless we are expecting an order,
so whenever you send us something by US Mail,
please also alert us with an e-mail to let us know something is arriving.
The purpose of the Free Trial Run is to work out any bugs in the process before we commit to doing business.
If you disregard or alter any of the above instructions, this could prevent our software from reading your cards smoothly,
and you would need to redo the Trial Run phase.
Additional Trial Runs are $2 each.
To avoid these extra charges, please follow all instructions carefully.
After we read your trial cards, we can discuss any special formatting issues that may need to be worked out before you spend time mailing the rest of your cards. Then the paid work can begin.
If your cards have historical value or are irreplaceable, so that you wouldn't want them out of your custody, you should use Method 2 instead.
Copyright © 2007-2008 J. E. Brown all rights reserved. P. O. Box 1368 Los Alamos, NM USA 87544-1368