Message-Id: <mailto:199502010221.UAB14645@library.wustl.edu> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 1995 20:37:59 EST From: Owen <mailto:pp002792@INTERRAMP.COM> Subject: Re: Scanners and OCR To: Multiple recipients of list IMAGELIB
>To all Imagelibbers,
>
> A designer in our SunService (training) group is asking about a
suitable >scanner that can handle both OCR and graphics and does not occaisonally
change o >r
>drop letters from a document. She would like to find a scanner and software
that >could be driven by a Sun platform running Solaris 2.3 (UNIX). She would like
th >is
>scanner to be no larger than 8.5x14" and be a flat bed. I wonder if anyone
has >had experience or knowledge about these types of scanners?
>
>PS. As an afterthougt she mentioned that if necessary she would be willing to
>consider using a Macintosh compatible scanner.
>Some day I hope someone writes about the UNIX wars!
>
>Thanks everyone!
>
>Norm Landes
>Image Librarian
Based on my experience, which has been with PC based systems and not UNIX or Mac, is that you pick the software first, then the scanner. Most of today's scanners are SCSI and TWAIN complient, so the choice is made on price and features. The two companies who are best known in the OCR arena are Caerre (probably spelled wrong, but pronounced Care) and Calerra. These two are now one. I have had a lot of positive experiences with Fujitsu and Bell & Howell scanners in a high volume environment and very little experience in the sub $2,000 range.
Owen.