Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with scanner

Recommend a USB scanner for Linux

phliar — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:56:10 -0800

Which current USB flatbed scanner works under Linux? My trusty old SCSI Umax scanner is on its deathbed, and I'd like to also retire its SCSI PC (I only use it for the scanner), and get a USB scanner.

Alas! it seems like none of the USB scanners currently available on Amazon and NewEgg are on the SANE supported list. I've started looking for used scanners but I'd rather buy a new one if possible. Anyone here have any experience getting any currently available USB flatbed scanners to work under Linux?

(I don't need to scan photos, just documents. Scan quality is not that important, but reliability is.)

Reccomend a portable scanner

mateuslee — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:13:17 -0800

Do any of you guys have reccomendations for portable scanner which is powered from USB? I'm completely paperless and until now have been reliant on the very nice scanner at the office -- but these days I'm traveling a lot and sure could use a USB scanner.

Ideally it is powered by USB given different power sources and complications with all those power converters and plugs, etc.

I scan receipts, but also standard letters.

I was thinking of the Pentax DSmobile 600 Scanner, but am not sure, thought I'd ask you guys first....

Sure do appreciate any input.
Thanks a ton!

SEEKING SOFTWARE

cameronfromedinburgh — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:33:39 -0800

KODAK i220 scanner software: can any of you fine meta-types point me in the direction of the download for the operating software for this piece of hardware? I live in the UK and have Vista as an o/s. I have tried googling but could only find an upgrade, and an email to Kodak has gone unanswered. I have borrowed this scanner from a relative who is currently contracting in Australia, so I can't just pop round and collect the original disc.

Rental of Fujitsu ScanSnap (or Similar) in Chicago Area? Or General Advice?

WCityMike — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:20:54 -0800

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?

Automatic Timed Scanning Software?

gzimmer — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:13:55 -0800

I'm looking for some kind of scanner software that will automatically scan every X seconds/minutes so I can easily scan in notes for my class. Preferably free.

Looking for information on PAYG cell phone (NY state), inflatable mattress, All-In-One scanner, fax, photocopier and printer

zaxour — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:22:56 -0800

Moved to NY (NOT NYC) from Sweden, need information on PAYG cell phone, inflatable mattress, All-in-One scanner, fax, photocopier and printer. I moved to NY state from Sweden and my job will involve moving from one place to the other every 3 months or so. Hence, would like to maintain as little belongings as possible.

Since I haven't got my SSN yet, I have to go with PAYG phone. I am checking all cellphone carriers I am aware of but feel like very little information is offered on the web. Going to the stores isn't helping either. I am curious which carrier has best coverage in NY state? Also, do I have to use carrier's phone to be able to use their SIM?
I considered delaying buying PAYG phone and use cellswapper later but I am not too sure how good is this idea.

I am looking for king/queen size inflatable mattress, which brand is good to go with? A previous thread on me-fi directs me to Aerobed. Any other recommendation? (or if you didn't like Aerobed, why?)

I am also interested in All-In-One Scanner, Photocopier, Fax and Printer. I checked cnet.com reviews but there is a conflict between editor's ratings and user's ratings so not too sure how much I should rely on them. I wonder if its a good idea to have such All-In-One equipment and if yes, any recommendation?

Free/Open Source Scan-to-PDF Software?

cowbellemoo — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:20:19 -0800

What's the best free or open source software (for Windows XP) which will scan multiple pages in a row and output a PDF with zero fuss? I don't really like the software that came with the scanner and I don't want to pay for Acrobat Pro. Currently I'm using OpenOffice Draw, which works fine except for having a few too many mouse clicks between importing each page as a scanned picture -- which are annoying when I'm trying to concentrate on something else while I scan a bunch of things in.

Ideally I'd like to just place a new page, close the lid, click a button, scan, rinse, repeat. That's basically how Acrobat Pro does it, but is there a free/OS alternative that behaves the same way?

Please help me use a 120V scanner in Australia

quosimosaur — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:50:10 -0800

Can I safely use this step down voltage converter with this scanner? The scanner's AC adapter specifies an input of:
100-120V~
50-60Hz
1.0A (don't know what this is)
40W

My friend's dad said any step down converter rated at 60 Watts or higher will be fine (a lower watt output might cause the scanner to overheat). Is this the only concern?

In hindsight, I should've purchased the 240V version but now that I'm here I'm prepared to fork out around an extra $100 to get my scanner working (ah the things we do for film!). I have seen devices ranging from $9 to over $100; is there a difference in reliability and which is suitable for me?

I live in Australia.

How do I change default scan settings?

MrMulan — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:44:46 -0800

How can I reduce the file size of a scanned document in Windows XP? I have narrowed it down to something in the XP OS.

Boss has a Canon MFP that would scan to his PC. Test scan file would be about 300Kb pdf.
Boss got a new PC. I installed the same Canon software and used the same settings his old PC used, except now the actual scan takes longer and the file is over 1,000Kb.
I uninstalled the Canon software on both machines and used the built in Windows fax and scan app...same thing...old PC creates a fast scan with small output file, new PC creates a slower scan with a larger output file.
Again, all settings, resolution, ect. are the same on both machines.

I know there is free third party software to reduce after the fact, but I don't want to go there and give him another step to do.

Can't find anything that applies to this scenario on G. As always, thanks in advance.

Scanner Pro v. DocScanner iphone apps?

applemeat — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:56:05 -0800

iPhonefilter: What's a good iPhone app for document scanning? Most often, I'll be scanning single page documents and single page graphics with or without text. I'll want to email the images as PDFs. My chief objectives are: 1) ease of use (and ease of directly emailing the scan from the app, if possible) and 2) visual clarity. Cost of the app is not a concern. Any advice from the hivemind would be appreciated!

How do I buy a police scanner? and which kind?

john m — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 17:56:19 -0800

I'm considering getting a police scanner, but I'm having a difficult time making sense of all of what I read. Can anyone break it down for me? I live in Richmond, VA. I contribute to a number of the local community blogs, and have begun to think that a police scanner might be an interesting tool.

Googling for info leaves me totally confused, though. Any help would be very appreciated.

Suggestions for alternate scanning programs?

tdreyer — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 07:38:02 -0800

Looking for a scanner program that will allow me to set a custom size to scan and remember it for multiple scans. I'm on Windows 7 and I'm attempting to scan in a very large number of documents (600+) that are sub-letter size (8.5"x11"). I've found the the integrated scanning program that comes with win7 is a little inadequate.

Mainly I'm looking for a scanning program that is free and will allow me to set a custom size and remember it for multiple scans (ie. 6.5"x9.25")

Free/low-cost virus protection for Windows?

GilloD — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:58:59 -0800

I just got a raging beast of a new laptop. Runs Left 4 Dead like a dream. Problem: I've been in Mac-world for 7 years. Now that I'm back in Windows Land, I gotta be careful. What's the best free/low-cost/open-source spyware/malware/virus protection around? Running Vista Home Premium 64-bit. Suggestions?

How do I clean my Fujitsu scansnap ?

Kevin S — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:30:25 -0800

How do I clean my Fujitsu scansnap ? I was startled to discover that the counter on my new scansnap 1500 has already exceeded 2000 pages. The manual specifies a cleaning every 1000 pages using Fujitsu's little bottle of stuff called F1 PA03950-0352 which cost around $18.00 with an additional $7.00 or so for shipping.

A little surfing reveals that the bottle contains "Anion surface-active agent 0.5wt%". Another "hit" for a different Fujitsu scanner says that it is ispropyl alcohol.

Is there a home remedy that would do as well, like ispropyl alcohol from the drugstore?

Not that it's all that much $$$, but it is annoying.

Thanks

Where can I find a simple, compact printer scanner?

cranberryskies — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:31:58 -0800

Recommendations for a compact laser printer + scanner? (Am not looking for an all-in-one with fax option.) I've searched on the web and in metafilter but can't find a solid recommendation for a simple, compact laser printer + scanner for home use. Our requirements include:

- printer must be laser
- printer must have scanner
- preference for no fax (makes machine bulky and complicated)
- preference for black and white
- must operate with a mac

The search for a new printer has been interesting, as I'm finding that there are very few printer+scanner options, and most are all-in-one printer+scanner+copier+faxing, which is too much functionality for us. I found posts that are similar to what I'm looking for here and here, but we're not looking for color, and we are looking for scanning functionality.

This is the closest I can get to what we're looking for.

Preferences are for as simple as possible and as compact as possible.

Any recommendations based on what you've used??

What document scanner do you recommend for many filing cabinets worth of scanning?

dukes909 — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:21:01 -0800

Where can I find recommendations for document scanner to handle what I'd consider "medium - large volume" scanning of our office files? We have approx. 6 - 7 regular filing cabinets full of paper files we'd like to scan to PDF files. Most documents are regular letter sized, some 2 sided (not many), some legal size. There may be some color documents. We view this as a long term project, and while we'd like to dedicate a full-time person to do nothing but scan, it will probably be 2 days a week.

We already have a Sharp MX-3501 that can scan to PDF directly, but this is also our main copier for the office and is used regularly for that and printing, so we need a dedicated scanner. I've looked at the Fujitsu Snapscan S1500 but don't know if it is "heavy duty" enough for what we need? What other recommended scanners are there?

Thanks

Printer/Scanner software causing restart problems

N2O1138 — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:12:44 -0800

I installed software that came with a Brother MFC-9840CDW all-in-one and now my dell computer is having multiple problems at startup. The application itself failed to start citing missing registry data. Then, on restarting I get "Services.exe - Application Error" and clicking either OK or cancel causes an automatic shutdown timer to start. By leaving the application error window I'm able to start windows.

The Brother software required turning off the firewall. The installation I chose was wired ethernet. The application is called MFC Control Center 3 and includes printing scanning and faxing utilities.

I uninstalled the software in safe mode to avoid the first error but the second error persists.

Clicking ok or cancel in the services.exe application error box causes the following message to appear. "Shutdown initiated by NT Authority System. And the message reads "The system process C:\windows\System32\services.exe terminated unexpectedly with the error code -1073741819". Running Windows XP SP2.

A scanner markedly

cmoj — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:07:44 -0800

Recommend a large format scanner. I'm no longer a college student, and so I no longer have access to my school's 11' x 17" scanner, so now I need to buy one. The last time I was looking to buy a scanner, though, it seems that things were simpler. They were all slow, and dpi for the price was king. Now, I can't tell the why one scanner is $1000 and another $200. I realize there aren't actually very many 11" x 17" scanner options, but what is the best for the price? I want pretty good (non interpolated) dpi, but I don't need top-of-the-line or anything. I will use it mostly for scanning originals for comics, which is why the oversize is desirable.

Am I better off getting a normal sized scanner and stitching the scans together? I have a pretty good 8.1 MP camera, too. Would it prove satisfactory for me to build a setup to photograph such things? How would I do that?

Flatbed scanner for Mac OSX?

mark7570 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:37:41 -0800

What's a good flatbed scanner for Mac OSX? Something other an Epson Perfection - mine is now dead after only a couple of years due to buggy driver software and/or hardware - tech support was unable to diagnose. I've already read the recent Which document scanner to buy? but it's Windows-focused and more for a quick doc scanner, not a flatbed that can do photos and the occasional doc.

I also read this piece from 2007 on good Mac scanners, but everyone is saying "Epson" and, as stated before, I'd like to avoid more buggy hardware and software from them.

Any suggestions much appreciated.

Virus Scan Company That Accepts Submissions?

Quarter Pincher — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:31:59 -0800

Do any of the major virus-scan software sites permit sending in a questionable programs for possible addition to the ongoing alerts? Ultimately, I'm wondering whether the Marie Brighton / Synovate computer survey is safe to take -- they're asking me to install and run this program that sends them details about my machine (system name, machine name, installed devices, various settings, etc). It sounds really hokey. I don't want to just share the program with the world, here, in case it has account-related information along with it already.

Pretty much all the details are here, and requests to see whether I can just check off a manual survey of "do you have this"-style questions merely state that I'd only get the incentive ($20) for running the program. I've saved-as the program, but haven't run it yet. I'm just fine with simply not running it, but there doesn't seem to be any coverage of the subject on the web much at all, and I'm sure someone else would like to know also.

As for the original question -- I'm curious as to whether there's a well-established scanner/etc site out there that accepts user submissions of questionable programs, instead of just checking it with a scan. I'd like vastly superior details on the program, not just a red or a green flag.

help me scan

leigh1 — Sat, 30 May 2009 06:48:24 -0800

Scanning question: I have Epson Perfection v350 photo scanner. It can scan negatives. I would like to scan one long strip of negatives. Do I have to cut the film into 6 frames strips? Film is not mine and I would rather not have to. I have an option of Auto Film Loader and I can scan first 6 pictures, but I don't know how to tell the scanner to load the next six.

Which document scanner to buy?

Kevin S — Wed, 27 May 2009 17:02:14 -0800

Should I buy epson or fujitsu document scanner ? I've pretty much narrowed it down to the Fujitsu snapscan s1500 (descendent from the s500) or Epson workforce gt-s50.

Purpose is to get rid of paper in home office by scanning into pdfs. This is for windows xp environment. Speed and price difference not critical. Desk footprint not important. Plan to use 3rd party indexing software (copernic) so built in filing software not important.

Pluses/minuses are from specs and reviews:

Pluses for the Epson: sturdy (11 lbs) and high quality mechanism, lcd instead of fluorescent illumination, twain drivers provided.

Minuses for Epson: Epson's first document scanner, clunky software, apparently does not autocorrect for orientation. Pages in input hopper must be of same size.

Pluses for snapscan: autocorrect orientation, new product but based on previous models, ultrasound duplicate detection. Accepts varried sized paper in input hopper.

Minuses for snapscan: not as sturdy (6lbs), no twain driver.

I'm "torn" between above tradeoffs. Any observations or thoughts appreciated.

Help me spend money on techie stuff!

cachondeo45 — Tue, 05 May 2009 13:41:14 -0800

Scanners, cameras, DVC conversion, oh my! Need your wisdom, Mefites! Budgets & descriptions inside! I have the following budget for some items that we need to order at work and I am in charge of ordering them. Yipes! Here's what we need, what we need it to do, and the approximate budget available:

1. Scanner (around $400): We need to be able to scan photographs, documents, possibly negatives into high quality digital files. The scanner will be used by two people and rather moderately (around a few times a month).

2. Digital camera (around $500): We need especially to be able to take pictures in relatively low light. It needs to be relatively user-friendly as well, since non-photogs might be using it occasionally. It will be mainly used to take pictures of school groups and interviews in a small auditorium with crappy lighting that seats 164, although we'll also be using it for other shindigs. I was looking at a Panasonic Lumix, but I am completely open.

3. DVC conversion (around $1200): We need to be able to quickly and easily import mini dvcs to digital formats that can then be edited (on iMovie or FinalCut Pro, etc.) and turned into DVDs. We will have a DVD burner, etc. I was looking at this one.

Wisdom? Advice?

Where to find updated info on (graphic design) hardware?

filthy light thief — Tue, 05 May 2009 11:57:10 -0800

How should I keep up-to-date on hardware for graphic design? I'm not a graphic designer by trade, but I would like my personal (WinXP) computer to be suitable for hobby-work graphics. More details and criteria inside. I have a WinXP system I cobbled together a few years back. My flat-screen monitor is a bit odd (pink dots are noticeable from time to time), and my printer/scanner combo is pretty much a POS for both functions. I make do with all of it, but I keep thinking I should start looking into upgrading elements. Primarily I'd like a new monitor and scanner, but a good printer would be nice, and I keep lusting after tablets, even though I don't do that much drawing by hand any more.

I've found what I think are good reviews, but I feel that if they're over 6 months old, I'm missing out on something. I don't need cutting edge, and it seems like there are probably some reliable resources for computer-based artists that I haven't found. So, hive-mind, what should I look for? Do you known handy sites? Thanks!

Recommend Mac OS X scanner software

Joe in Australia — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:04:51 -0800

What Mac OS X software will let me scan things using my second hand Canon ImageRunner C5800 networked printer/scanner? There's PC software available, but I'd rather not have to run XP just to scan things. Note: if I sound clueless I am; if I'm missing something obvious then please tell me.