Saturday, October 28, 2006
ISBN-13
This just caught me by surprise -- rather inexcusably, considering where I work. As of January 1, 2007, the old 10-digit ISBN will be replaced with ISBN-13, which has (as you might guess) 13 digits. The transition could affect many different data containers. Old ISBNs can be mechanically converted to ISBN-13.
Publishers typically buy ISBNs in blocks, with substantial per-ISBN discounts for large blocks, so the range gets consumed fast. In addition, the new numbers are compatible with EAN.UCC standards.
# posted by Gary McGath @ 8:51 AM 
