At some point in the future, I'd like to follow the recommendations of some various sites I've seen online and scan most of my paper archives to PDF. It looks like this would be the best solution (I'm a Mac user) – or, at least, that's the device I've seen recommended a few million times. However, I really can't see having the discretionary $417+ to purchase this device, not for a very, very long time. Does anyone offer this device for rental? (I live in Chicago.) Is there a RipDigital equivalent for this kind of thing (a very long time ago, they did the initial move of my music from CDs to MP3s)? Are there cheaper alternatives that are just as good?
posted by WCityMike on Nov 21, 2009 - 9 answers

Where can I find recommendations for document scanner to handle what I'd consider "medium - large volume" scanning of our office files? [more inside]
posted by dukes909 on Jul 27, 2009 - 7 answers

I am looking for the best of the best OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software out in the market that can translate images ( through scanner) of handwritten, typewritten or printed text into editable text.
posted by omaralarifi on Sep 14, 2008 - 9 answers

Looking for an inexpensive (under $200) scanner with a document feeder. This will be used for OCR, including MUSIC OCR using "Photoscore" software so greyscale resolution should be good. Speed and capacity are important -- I'd like to be able to put a stack of pages in and let it run while I'm out of the room. Duplex would be a plus.
posted by Alabaster on Mar 24, 2007 - 5 answers

What software should I use to archive/organize scans of personal finance information? [more inside]
posted by Alterscape on Sep 24, 2006 - 3 answers

I care enough about getting all my physical media into digital form that I'm ready to hand-scan my remaining books where necessary. Before I do this, what are all the ways I should search to be sure a given book doesn't exist as an ebook I could buy (or in any other digital form)? Also: any hints for efficiently doing the scanning & OCR?
posted by allterrainbrain on Sep 17, 2006 - 10 answers