Pen Scanners

My hunt for a research process that would be more efficient (read lazy), has brought me to the conclusion that a penscanner is the way to go. This would allow me to transfer text directly from a book to the computer, thus greatly speed up my note-taking for non-it based texts(i.e. the vast majority) and hopefully improve their accuracy especially in relation to non-English texts.

So, just wanted to know is anyone aware of the best brand available, both in terms of efficiency and price? I read good things about the IrisPen, and given I want to check the text as I'm scanning it, the fact that it is tethered doesn't bother me.

Would be great for espionage.

riadach wrote:

My hunt for a research process that would be more efficient (read lazy), has brought me to the conclusion that a penscanner is the way to go. This would allow me to transfer text directly from a book to the computer, thus greatly speed up my note-taking for non-it based texts(i.e. the vast majority) and hopefully improve their accuracy especially in relation to non-English texts.

So, just wanted to know is anyone aware of the best brand available, both in terms of efficiency and price? I read good things about the IrisPen, and given I want to check the text as I'm scanning it, the fact that it is tethered doesn't bother me.

I bought one years ago, but found it was quicker to take my laptop and copy type. Its in a drawer somewhere.

How do they cope with glossy pages, cactus?

johnfás wrote:

How do they cope with glossy pages, cactus?

I remember that it did work, but that I type faster, and downloading was fiddly. I'll see if I can find it and get it to work again.

Now if I'm really in a hurry I use a digital camera and type it up later.

They sound like an interesting development but I wouldn't have a use for one.

I would be interested in some good cataloguing software though if anyone has any ideas? I know there are some cataloguing softwares which will read the ISBN on the back of books etc but what I am really looking for is something into which I can input a description, name and then value of the item. For trinkets and the like.

Here's a long list of pen scanners available online for you to peruse riadach!

Click here.

cactus flower wrote:

johnfás wrote:

How do they cope with glossy pages, cactus?

I remember that it did work, but that I type faster, and downloading was fiddly. I'll see if I can find it and get it to work again.

Now if I'm really in a hurry I use a digital camera and type it up later.

Now there must be a piece of software that will/could/can scan a digital photo for the letters/words/text ... (and stick them into a text file)

The Irispen is apparently a subsitute for a mouse or a keyboard. This means that one can import directly from the text into word or whatever, without have to to create a file first and import from there. I find this rather attractive.

Auditor #9 wrote:

cactus flower wrote:

johnfás wrote:

How do they cope with glossy pages, cactus?

I remember that it did work, but that I type faster, and downloading was fiddly. I'll see if I can find it and get it to work again.

Now if I'm really in a hurry I use a digital camera and type it up later.

Now there must be a piece of software that will/could/can scan a digital photo for the letters/words/text ... (and stick them into a text file)

isn't there a program called Monarch that takes Pdf and converts them to excel and word?

zakalwe wrote:

Auditor #9 wrote:

cactus flower wrote:

johnfás wrote:

How do they cope with glossy pages, cactus?

I remember that it did work, but that I type faster, and downloading was fiddly. I'll see if I can find it and get it to work again.

Now if I'm really in a hurry I use a digital camera and type it up later.

Now there must be a piece of software that will/could/can scan a digital photo for the letters/words/text ... (and stick them into a text file)

isn't there a program called Monarch that takes Pdf and converts them to excel and word?

Older versions of Adobe Read will allow you to copy and paste pdf. text.