Others have already noted the difference between TZ and M tapes; the TZ tapes are also supposed to be 'better' in that they are laminated, while the M tapes are not and may decay more quickly.
However, the problem I have is that the "better" label maker (the one that takes TZ tapes) is not nearly as easy to use as the "cheaper" one, the M-compatible P-touch. I knew that I didn't want a bunch of useless features, so I bought the cheapest TZ-compatible P-touch I could find, the 1290, but it is about twice as hard to get anything done with it as the bottom-of-the-line $19.95 P-Touch that takes M tapes.
Anyone got a solution for *that* particular problem? Should I get a better TZ-compatible labeler?
jms
In a message written on Thu, Feb 16, 2012 at 02:32:07PM -0700, Joel M Snyder wrote:
features, so I bought the cheapest TZ-compatible P-touch I could find,
the 1290, but it is about twice as hard to get anything done with it as
the bottom-of-the-line $19.95 P-Touch that takes M tapes.
Anyone got a solution for *that* particular problem? Should I get a
better TZ-compatible labeler?
Brother seems to have about 20 different models out at any time,
and replaces about 2 of them once a year. Chances are you can find
one you like. My kingdom for a model that didn't hide an apostrophy
on a sub-menu.
The "step up" solution is something like Brady. Significantly more
expensive label makers, somewhat more expensive supplies. However
I generally think they are superior in UI, durability, label
selection, and so on. Many also have a serial port (I think USB
on a few of the new ones) so you can "print" (basically an ASCII
stream) to them which can make large volume labling really easy
from your PC. If you're spending more than a half hour a day with your
label maker invest in a mid-range Brady.
The "step down" is a pen. For labeling cables sheets of the "self
laminating" labels (a white tab with a clear tail) are easy to write on
and laminate as you install them. No batteries, super small for a ton
of labels, easy to use.
If you're labelling a batch of stuff all at once, you should definitely
get one that runs from your PC; I have a PT-2430PC, and their software is
actually pretty damn skippy, as long as you're running Windows. It won't
run in WINE at all, cause it wants to install its own USB driver. I'll be
trying it in VBox next.
Cheers,
-- jra
Personally, I prefer the Brady IDExpert.
It's pricier, but, it has much greater flexibility and will produce, among other things, very nice self-laminating labels you can wrap around wires.
Owen
From: "Joel M Snyder" <Joel.Snyder@Opus1.COM>
Anyone got a solution for *that* particular problem? Should I get a
better TZ-compatible labeler?
If you're labelling a batch of stuff all at once, you should definitely
get one that runs from your PC; I have a PT-2430PC, and their software is
actually pretty damn skippy, as long as you're running Windows. It won't
run in WINE at all, cause it wants to install its own USB driver. I'll be
trying it in VBox next.
The PT-2100 was the best of both worlds. Regular labeler AND a USB
port to drive it from a PC. Current model is PT-2730 I think.
http://www.brother-usa.com/Ptouch/Ptouch_DualOperation/
Personally, I prefer the Brady IDExpert.
It's pricier, but, it has much greater flexibility and will
produce, among other things, very nice self-laminating
labels you can wrap around wires.
For cable labeling I've had good results with 3M Scotch Super88 color
electrical tape. Pick unique color bands for each cable. Band it
identically at both ends. You don't have to squint to see how it's
labeled. And the label isn't invalidated merely because you unplugged
it from one place and plugged it in somewhere else.
For longer distances, label the patch panel.
Regards,
Bill Herrin
Anyone got a solution for *that* particular problem? Should I get a
better TZ-compatible labeler?
Brother PT-1400 P-Touch Handheld Labeler ($90ish) is nice in that it will
do three lines and also do "flags" (double print) to tag wires with.
Batteries last a good while, and fits in the hand nicely. Good for field
work and fairly rugged. Main downside is lack of a qwerty keypad. If you
don't have to label a whole data center and just need to pump out a dozen
or two a day, it does the job well and won't kill the budget. Fits nice in
the tool bag too.
http://www.amazon.com/Brother-PT-1400-P-Touch-Handheld-Labeler/dp/B00011KHPG/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&qid=1329441056&sr=8-22
For cable labeling I've had good results with 3M Scotch Super88 color
electrical tape. Pick unique color bands for each cable. Band it
identically at both ends. You don't have to squint to see how it's
labeled. And the label isn't invalidated merely because you unplugged
it from one place and plugged it in somewhere else.
I usually use labels printed on all sides in about a 14 point font that have a unique number followed by a - and a length. So, for example, 10294-4.5 is a 4.5' long cable number 10294.
You might need to squint a bit to read it, but, 14 points is usually pretty legible and being printed 4 times on the label (3 of which remain visible on the average cat5/cat6 cable) means you usually don't have to futz with twirling the cable to find the label.
I usually have the labels installed ~2" from the plug at each end.
In a crowded deployment, I think the color bands would be like trying to read resistor color codes in a box of ~1,000 mixed resistors. You're going to end up squinting anyway. With my tactic, you have the additional advantage that you get a defined search radius within which the other end can be located.
Using serial-number labels instead of equipment-specific labels means that mine aren't invalidated either.
Owen
I don't suppose anyone follows the TIA-606-B Administration Standard for the
Telecommunications Infrastructure of Commercial Buildings when labeling
things like cables.
Give me a link to the labeling section and I'll let you know if I've seen
it in the wild. I'm out in the field now (got sick of the desk) and see a
lot of commercial/retail plants.
I doubt that it's going on in retail, except maybe Lowe's Hardware. They
do love MM fiber and just did a nation-wide network upgrade to gigabit
everywhere in the stores. But then again, the label specs were kinda hit
and miss.
Sadly I've seen no IPv6 in any retail shops.
For cable labeling I've had good results with 3M Scotch Super88 color
electrical tape. Pick unique color bands for each cable. Band it
identically at both ends. You don't have to squint to see how it's
labeled. And the label isn't invalidated merely because you unplugged
it from one place and plugged it in somewhere else.
At previous employer, we ordered two identical rolls of Brady (IIRC)
numbered labels. Every cable got numbered in both ends and the number,
being unique at the site, could be used for documentation as well as
finding both ends in looms etc.
I don't suppose anyone follows the TIA-606-B Administration Standard for the
Telecommunications Infrastructure of Commercial Buildings when labeling
things like cables.
The swedish equivalents are way to tree-centric, meaning it is hard to
assign codes to stuff like fiber path between rooms that do not pass
the One Interconnect In The Basement.
We did a 600x600mm grid in the entire building (fitting the footprint of
an ETSI frame, or two 300mm deep cabinets as well as being one european
floor tile.) and then every cable documentation refered grid number and
HE. (German for RU) So a cable could be referenced with AA92:12 - AB36:14,
but the only label on the cable was a serial number.