[misc.handicap] scanner

Pandora.Nigh@f3.n157.z1.fidonet.org (Pandora Nigh) (11/06/90)

Index Number: 11571

     Hi Lee, I got the Mars 105 scanner from Dak industries a catalog 
out fit. It came with a steel guide rule. I found that by fixing the 
rule down on my desk with two faced thick tape that it not only holds 
well it shoves the guide edge more securely up into the scanner and I 
can run it fairly well. It does take a lot of practice though. The Mars 
scanner basically does pictures or graphics but it can pick up text. The 
only problem with text is that it considers the text a graphic file and 
not a text file so you can only save or manipulate the text in a graphic 
program. It also takes several goings over a picture to set the darkness 
and density buttons just right to get the best picture. It will convert 
color photos to black and white and give you an image, but it does 
better with black and white drawings. It's supper great and comic 
strips. I have all sorts of pictures from the comics now all over my 
office area.
      Sorry to hear that your foot is still sore, you really have to 
watch out for those carnivorous cars. I find that every few years they 
just decide to eat some poor unsuspecting human. Well I better get back 
to work so talk to you later.......
                                 Pandora

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Eric.Bohlman@p1.f778.n115.z1.fidonet.org (Eric Bohlman) (11/16/90)

Index Number: 11740

 PN> The only problem with text is that it considers the text a graphic file 
 PN> and not a text file so you can only save or manipulate the text in a 
 PN> graphic program. It also takes several goings over a picture to set the 

You can obtain OCR software that will convert your graphics files into text.   
The October 30 issue of PC Magazine had a review of OCR software.
 

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Pandora.Nigh@f3.n157.z1.fidonet.org (Pandora Nigh) (11/28/90)

Index Number: 11995

     Hi Lee, the Mars 105 will copy text but to be able to manipulate it 
as a text file you will need OCR software. While the price on the stuff 
has come down it is still hefty. I did some checking on the Readright 
program that will work on my machine is over $300. There is another 
input scanner that will read aloud, let you manipulate the file and 
print to both a braille printer and a regular printer. I saw it 
demonstrated in ST. Louis and will look up the info for you. It is a 
hefty price though, a lot less than Kurtzweil but still about $4000 if 
my memory serves me well.
       I'm glad to here you've got a really intresting Thanksgiving 
planned, but isn't it a little nippy to go camping? This year I'm go;ing 
to my parents houseMy sister from California can't get time off at 
Christmas so she is comming for Thanksgiving as well as my brother and 
his family from Cincinati. So it is turning into a family reunion. It 
will also be a double dinner day because Ray's parents want us over also 
and his sister from Atlanta and her husband are comming up also. The 
turkeys wont be the only things stuffed that day.  I hope you have a 
nice Thanksgiving and that smoked turkey sounds fabulous. You'll have to 
give me the instructions on how to do that. Well better be getting on 
so till later.....
                       Pandora

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