Rebecca,
We use the TBS labeler which is sold through Fisher and perhaps other
vendors.  It is computer controlled - we have it connected to an older 486
computer.  You program in your own format for different situations (our work
in mostly research and consultation) and it will increment both numbers and
letters.  The only disadvantage I see is that you have to use the TBS
cassettes, none of the other brands we tried would feed through the labler
properly.  But the cassettes are available preloaded in a cardboard sleeve
or loose for hand loading into a hopper with about a 50 cassette capacity.
I would suggest you contact your Fisher rep for a demo.

***********************
Patricia W. Greer, MT,HTL(ASCP)
Centers for Disease Control 
Infectious Disease Pathology
Mail Stop G-32
Atlanta, GA 30333
phone: 404-639-2811

-----Original Message-----
From: Rebecca S Smith [mailto:bssvpisu@iastate.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2000 5:58 PM
To: The Histonet
Subject: labeler


We are in search of the most wonderful of all "AUTOMATED CASSETTE 
LABELER"s.  It must be fairly user friendly.  (You know how some of those 
pathologists are!)  & Versatility would be a plus.  What are you folks out 
there in Histo Land using (besides markers and pencils).  We got Shandon's 
CasMark in to demo and were impressed until we realized that the alphabet 
only goes so far and that you couldn't put a letter where you wanted it, 
unless you spend $5,000 and wait 13 weeks for a custom made head for your 
own lab.  Some people seem to be intimidated by the keyboards.  But, if it 
was real simple (Idiot proof type)  I think they could get over their fears 
quite quickly.  I know it seems to be asking for the moon, but if you don't 
ask, you might not find out that there's a "moon" out there 
somewhere.  Thanks in advance!