Scan and Print

[Pghpooh]

HI
My son in law is reading many documents and then typing them word for word into a computer to print them out.
He has a old, old scanner with some software made by Ulead.
Correct me if I am wrong. I say he can use a scanner to scan the document and then load it to the pc and then print it out.
I'm open for suggestions on a new scanner or newer software that he can use to do this to save time.
Most of the time he is using a older Toshiba laptop pc. I don't know the model number.
He also has a 6 month old HP computer he can use.
As always, ANY AND ALL HELP AND SUGGESTIONS IS NEEDED!!!!!Thanks
Pghpooh

 

[DaveSimmons]

OCR = optical character recognition.

Almost all scanners come bundled with OCR software that can create Rich Text or Word documents with text and usually embedded images.

Ulead scanners usually come with OCR support.

For a new scanner, Canon makes good ones for under $100, check reviews at Amazon

 

[Zucarita9000]

Originally posted by: Pghpooh
HI
My son in law is reading many documents and then typing them word for word into a computer to print them out.

I'm guessing those documents are handwritten, if not I don't see the point of re-typing them.

If it's handwriting, you can foget OCR software. I don't know if there something out there that'll let you scan handwritten documents and ocr'them.

You can pick up any new scanner, such as the ones from Epson and HP. Usually they bundle a bunch of productivity apps that include OCR.

 

[Pghpooh]

HI
As far as I know, the documents are typed documents.

Pghpooh

 

[Wild1]

Originally posted by: Pghpooh
HI
My son in law is reading many documents and then typing them word for word into a computer to print them out.
He has a old, old scanner with some software made by Ulead.
Correct me if I am wrong. I say he can use a scanner to scan the document and then load it to the pc and then print it out.
I'm open for suggestions on a new scanner or newer software that he can use to do this to save time.
Most of the time he is using a older Toshiba laptop pc. I don't know the model number.
He also has a 6 month old HP computer he can use.
As always, ANY AND ALL HELP AND SUGGESTIONS IS NEEDED!!!!!Thanks
Pghpooh

Do you need to edit /reformat the documents or cut text from them and place into something else? If so the OCR route is the way to go. If you just want a copy, scanning the doc without OCR is quicker and more reliable. Haven't used OCR in a while but I still do not think it is 100% accurate. If you just want a copy, use the scan/ print method. I had a HP scanner that did this really well. I would use it as a copier. But again, if you need to edit or work with the text, you'll need the OCR capability.

 

[WildHorse]

You could try someplace like Costco or Walmart near you.

Look for inexpensive printers that also have flatbed scanning.

A cheap Lexmark ink jet printer that I have also makes photocopies and does flatbed scanning. That Lexmark printer came with a USB cable & software for OCR, graphics, and other things, cost me under $150 or so a couple of years back (don't remember exactly). The OCR software that came with it is called AbbyFine. Works great for my kids to scan homework papers, home photos, etc.

I'm not saying to get that brand, but just giving that example so you have an idea what you can easily find at low cost. Very simple to use, too.

 

[Zucarita9000]

Originally posted by: Pghpooh
HI
As far as I know, the documents are typed documents.

Pghpooh

In that case, any modern scanner and OCR software will be able to handle it. Office 2003 has a OCR app that work pretty well.

 

[Pghpooh]

HI
Thanks for the info.
I'll pass it along to my son in law and let him decide what he wants to do.
Thanks
Pghpooh