Thanks! I appreciate all the perspective on this issue. For the record, I am gathering requirements and doing some prototyping for a webpage where scanning activity will occur independently of data entry. A very real chance exists that a user will be typing into a textbox at the moment a barcode is scanned. (hence my caution about keyboard emulation) Again, thanks for the seriously short turnaround in providing all the feedback! I now have a lot of avenues to explore. Guy If you are going through hell, keep going. -Churchill

Is anyone familiar with a technology for reading strings from a barcode scanner into a web form (where the scanner is a peripheral attached to the web client)? Certain scanners are configurable to emulate keyboard input. Unfortunately, this is a last resort for the page I need to build. Does anyone know of an ActiveX control or equivalent that will permit reading scanner data from the RS-232 port or... ANYTHING but a keyboard? Can anyone suggest guidelines for writing one myself? Any and all input is much appreciated. Very Highest Regards, Guy If you are going through hell, keep going. -Churchill