I have around seven hundred pages that I wish to correct. I thought of
scanning them and copying the scanned pages on a disc using a software
program that can read English text correctly. Would you please
recommend a good scanner and an equally good software for the purpose.

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Request for Question Clarification by easterangel-ga on 03 Mar 2003 04:36 PST

Hi! Would a review of scanner and software be enough as a legitimate
answer? Just let me know. :)

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Request for Question Clarification by feilong-ga on 03 Mar 2003 11:17 PST

Would a personal recommendation for both the scanner and software be enough for you?

Hi fat55~

I have been in a similar position (I once accidentally deleted all the
text of a book I was working on...and could find no way to retrieve
the deleted file), so a lot of what I recommend to you comes from
personal experience.

If you want to do the job yourself, what you need is a *flatbed*
scanner that works with software that can convert text into readable
and editable text via optical character recognition (OCR). This will
work best if you've used a standard "body" font for your document.
(Fancier fonts that are often used for titles will be more difficult
for the software to read accurately.) But you should realize there's
no software out there that will translate your scanned text 100%
perfectly.

Still, even if you have to correct a word here or there, it will save
you an incredible amount of time compared with hand-typing everything
again.

My personal recommendation is that you use PaperPort software. For a
useful review of version 8.0, visit CNET:
http://www.cnet.com/software/0-806175-1205-6969556-1.html?tag=subnav

and CompuNotes:
http://www.compunotes.com/UtilityReviews/paperport.htm

You can also learn about this software at PaperPort's site:
http://www.paper-port.com

PaperPort works with many scanners, including most Acer, AGFA,
Brother, Canon, Compaq, Epson, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, Lexmark,
Microtek, Mustek, Plustek, Ricoh, UMAX, Visioneer, and Xerox scanners.

Other options include PrimeSoftware, which is normally used in
commercial environments:
http://www.primerecognition.com

as well as ExpertVision:
http://www.expervision.com

and FineReader:
http://www.translation.net/finereader.html

I've also found some free software that may do the trick for you,
although, like most freeware, it may have its bugs:
http://documents.cfar.umd.edu/ocr

Finally, if you're using a Mac, you'll probably want to use either
FineReader or OmniPage:
http://www.apple.com/macosx/applications/omnipage

As for what scanner to use, really any good flatbed will work. I've
always had success with Visioneer scanners (
http://www.visioneer.com/Products/flatbed.asp ). Other good choices
include Canon, Epson, and HP brands. The scanner needn't be the most
expensive on the market, but if you can afford it, don't buy a
bottom-end model. Something in the price range of $99 to $175 is
perfectly respectable and will do the job well.

To read some scanner reviews, check out CNET at:
http://computers.cnet.com/hardware/0-1073.html?tag=ont-scan


Hope this helps, and good luck!
kriswrite

Keywords Used:
OCR software
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=OCR+software&btnG=Google+Search

OCR software Mac
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=OCR+software+Mac&btnG=Google+Search

While I accept the idea of outsourcing this job, as it probably would
be cheaper/faster than buying a scanner and doing it by hand, I'm not
sure I like the idea of a researcher using ga to drum up business. Any
large town should have a printing or office solutions business that
could perform this task in a faster time than it would take to mail
someone the documents and wait for a reply by mail.

As I mentioned previously in my answer, which was removed by Google
Answers editors, there are a number of outside services would could
provide this service for you. Contrary to the comments of rissos-ga, I
didn’t not offer to perform this service for you. I simply offered to
assist in providing the proper assessment and research required to
provide you with a quote from one of the many outside service
providers. I am seeking clarification from Google editors on why my
post was removed.

Here you will find a recent Top 10 review of scanners:
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,106196,00.asp

Their best buy for small office is the Epson Perfection 1660 Photo:
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,106088,00.asp

For corporate users the best buy was Epson Perfection 2450 Photo: 
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,71983,00.asp

Here are three sites with peer reviews of OCR software:
http://software.bizrate.com/buy/products__att163--1113-,cat_id--312,rf--wgg,ir--259,ir--234.html

http://www.cnet.com/software/1,11066,0-806175-1202-0,00.html

http://www.epinions.com/cmsw-Software-All-Fax_OCR_Imaging-Software

Abbyy FineReader 6.0 has received a large number of user praise (86%
of users recommend) compare with only 55% of OmniPage users.
http://www.cnet.com/software/0-806175-1204-20162658.html?tag=pdtl-list

The peer review sites offer a wealth of detailed information in the
user’s comments on their experience with the products. I encourage you
to read those comments in order to determine if which products have
the features best suited for your document.

Actually, maxhodges, you wrote in the "answer":

>Alternatively, I would be willing to handle this entire project for
>you for a nominal fee. Basically I would provide you with a quotation
>to perform the whole task with the deliverable being your document
>files on CD-ROM in editable format. My email address is on the follow
>web page if you wish to engage me for this service:
[ web page address elided ]

It isn't fair to try to cast rissos-ga as a liar, nor is it wise. 
People have copies of your answer.

As I said, for a "nominal fee" I would handle the outsourcing of this
project, but I retract the offer. You guys are assuming that I would
going to do the work, which is incorrect. Perhaps you need to research
the meaning of nominal.

Maxhodges,
The fact remains that you directed a questioner to contact you outside
of google-answers, where you would provide a service for a fee, rather
than suggesting that he asks another question. To me, and obviously to
the google editors, this is unacceptable. I will say no more on the
subject.