Scanning Available in the ITC Lab
There are two scanners in the ITC Lab, one an Epson Expression 1680 flatbed scanner with optional auto-document feeder and transparency-backlighting attachments, the other an HP Scanjet 7400c flatbed scanner. Instructors and TAs can make reservations to use those scanners by emailing their ITC. Reservations are limited to 2 hour blocks, although the period of use can be extended beyond that if no one else is waiting to use the scanner.
Scanning Text as Page Images
For the purpose of archiving a digital copy or posting scanned material to a course website, scanning text as page images is by far and away the simplest and quickest approach. In this case, the scanned file is essentially a photograph of the original. While it is possible to scan text as images using Adobe Acrobat or the Epson scan software, we recommend using a digital sender or ABBY Finereader software in the ITC lab. This handout has information for Scanning using ABBY Finereader (PDF) (Word).
Scanning and Recognizing Text
Sometimes text must be scanned and processed into a text document, which is done using a process called Object Character Recognition, or OCR. In this case, a scanning program "reads" the image of the scanned text and converts that image into editable, digital text. It is important to know that character recognition software is never perfect. The cleaner and crisper the original photocopy or book, the better the result. While character-recognition software understands recognizes Latin alphabet well, texts with small fonts, italics, or other complicated formats, may give the software trouble. Handwriting is also very difficult to OCR and not recommended. For information about character recognition (OCR), see the end of the handout: Scanning using ABBY Finereader (PDF) (Word).
Scanning Foreign Language Text
Unless you really need a text document, use the process for scanning text as page image above. The ITC lab has software that can do character recognition for foreign languges. ABBY Finereader can reliably recognize a number of foreign languages, and there are a few other more specialized programs for certain languages. Consult your department's ITC about what is available for the foreign language you wish to scan.
Other Campus Resources
In addition to the ITC Labs, scanners are available for use in the CLICC Labs in Powell Library and through the OID Teaching Enhancement Center. The OID also provides a number of useful handouts explaining how to use their machines.
Contributed by jal. Last updated August 2, 2006 by mg.