Although I usually use cash, I keep what is called a "loaded" card, upon which I can put an amount of cash as needed for things on the internet etc.
When I load it at the bank I have to swipe it with the magnetic strip towards the outside, whereas at the supermarket it is the other way round.
The difference is that the fatter part on the right at the bank has the magnetic tape head there whereas the supermarket one is on the left with the rest of the electronics and just a piece of tin on the right.
Talking to the oft seen young woman at the bank I mentioned this and that it was just like the old reel-to-reel tape decks, and peering at the gadget, yes indeed there was the tape head clearly visible. Analogue!
It was really quick, but there is also the gold plated digi thing at the end of the card, which you can insert at the bottom. She said that was really slow. Which I have noticed at other places where that's all they have.
Yes, the digital system has to read the info, convert it to bits and bytes, digest it, get it back into the real world and regurgitate it.
Have we progressd?
Would you believe I got a (slightly) bigger rendition of this here than on ipernity. Both much bigger (fullest screen) than on the "new" Flickr, which use up about a third of the screen with info. No "full screen" in other words. Picture size 4604 x 2550 pixels. I'm impressed.
Have a look/listen to these German girls. I tried last night to order a copy of a DVD of theirs, but I was bamboozled by the Amazon order form all in German.
I'll have to work on getting them on the English version! https://www.facebook.com/murray.dick.52?ref=tn_tnmn
Linking to their actual page is blocked it seems, but there they are on me Facebook page.
Last edited by Jack Williams; 03-06-2014 at 00:14.