libmsr - libmsr is basically magnetic stripe reading

What is libmsr?

This is a library for various magnetic stripe reading and writing hardware.

What kind of hardware can I use?

Generally, libmsr requires a device with a serial interface. In the future we may support other methods of access. Currently supported hardware is outlined on our wiki:

http://code.google.com/p/libmsr/wiki/HardwareComparisionChart

Where are sample programs that I can study, improve, and share?

You'll probably want to take a look at the utils/ directory for sample code that uses libmsr properly.

What kind of experimental hardware is in the future of libmsr?

Lots! The MakStripe is a work in progress:

http://code.google.com/p/libmsr/wiki/MAKStripeSpecification

Additionally, audio readers such as the circuits found in 2600 or in the Square device are paritally supported.

If you wish to use a generic audio device as your reader, you'll want to install the libsndfile1-dev library. We're in the process of integrating dmsb/dab.

Where should I start?

It is highly suggested to read all of the README files in the package. A good start would be the README.magnetic-introduction file.