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Latest post Sun, Dec 26 2004 11:42 AM by Jobb. 2 replies.
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Jobb  +  63475 Sun, 26 Dec 04 11:42 AM


In university, students would buy something in campus, so the university releases a card (called "school card"? like "Medicare card") to students, so that they buy foods, books in campus by swiping card.) Do you know the card is called what? School card?

If the money in the card has run out of, you may want to recharge it. But you don't need to go to bank to draw money and return to your university to deposit the money into the "school card". There is a machine like automatic depositor in campus, which can transfor your money from your bank card to the "school card". The machine is called what? However, the machine is a device which can automatically recharge your "school card"
Joined on Sun, Jul 11 2004
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Mister Micawber  +  63477 Sun, 26 Dec 04 11:52 AM

We have them for the train system and the expressway system, department stores, etc. They are 'prepaid cards' or 'cash cards' here.

Not by 'swiping' the card-- which is colloquial for 'stealing'-- but by 'running the card through a card... reader', perhaps. My Japan Railway prepaid card I don't even have to put through a machine-- I just wave it within a few centimeters of the wicket, and the gate opens.

The machine would most likely be an automatic cash transfer machine (an ACTM, to coin an acronym). Is it owned by the bank?

I think I need help with some of this terminology, Jobb. We didn't have all these things when I left the States.

Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004
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Jobb  +  63490 Sun, 26 Dec 04 02:02 PM
I think "automatic cash transfer machine" is nice.

About "swiping card", the usage is first seen in USAToday's article. Please search there. For example: Swiping a card through a reading device could keep unauthorized people - out of facilities and monitor who is in a facility.

http://asumag.com/mag/university_wired_protection/

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techinnovations/2003-12-13-swipeless-credit_x.htm

Someone who lives the US said:
"swipe (your) card" is common language in every American store.

FYI:

"I need an imprint of your card." - This is usually said at a hotel, when they need to take a reading on your card to determine if you are able to pay the bill at the end of your stay!

"Please swipe your card." - This means the card owner needs to "swipe" or pull their card through the machine so that they can be charged for their purchase.

"I'll just need to swipe your card..." - The shop assistant or waiter will take your card and read it with a machine to charge you for your purchases.

Also "run (your card) through the machine" (common) or "'read' your card" (almost never used).
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