[Trainer-talk] OCR software and scanning

Wed Feb 20 19:07:08 UTC 2013

I found the Intel reader slow, almost to the point of uselessness! 
I think the concept was a good idea, but never found that it reached it's potential. THe two clients, who requested one and I recommended, were asking for something different almost as soon as they were trained on them. 
Just my experience, your mileage may differ.. 

Warm Regards, 

Matt Diemert

On Feb 20, 2013, at 1:52 PM, Jeanette Beal <bealjk at gmail.com> wrote:

> I have 3 intel readers in my inventory that are a HUGE hit with some
> of the grades 3-6 classrooms. They do a decent OCR job & allow you to
> highlight/edit/notetake materials and re-save as a new document. They
> also do text to speech. The students using (and liking) them have SLDs
> in ELA and are not visually impaired. But I'm low vision/blind and
> find it just as easy and effective myself.
> 
> SO. Intel reader. And if you can find them they retail less than $700
> these days. And take usb/sim card storage in addition to on-board
> memory.
> 
> Jeanette Beal
> 
> Sent from a mobile device.
> 
> On Feb 20, 2013, at 12:38 AM, laotab <laotab at msn.com> wrote:
> 
>> Anyone have a favorite for a portable scanner not needing a computer?  like
>> the KNFB or just an Apple product?  Rather not go with the Apple because the
>> client has no desire for the extras.  Just small in size; reasonable price
>> and is able to scan and read utility bills.  I thought the ITouch or the
>> mini IPad for the price and size but knowing 99% of the features are not
>> being used just seems wrong.
>> Client is not very fond of OpenBook either.
>> 
>> 
>> Bridget
>> AT Training in PA
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Trainer-talk [mailto:trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>> Michael D. Barber
>> Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 7:34 PM
>> To: 'List for teachers and trainers of adaptive technology'
>> Subject: Re: [Trainer-talk] OCR software and scanning
>> 
>> I personally prefer DocuScan Plus myself.  It seems to do a very good job of
>> PDF interpreting.  In fact, I think it's better than most.
>> Regarding scanners, The Cannon LI series of scanners is awesome.  Can't beat
>> that portability.
>> 
>> Both Kurzweil and Openbook, which are great OCR packages, are feature rich,
>> but most of which I never use.
>> 
>> Cordially,
>> Michael D. Barber
>> (515) 771-8348
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Trainer-talk [mailto:trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>> Caroline
>> Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 2:25 PM
>> To: 'List for teachers and trainers of adaptive technology'
>> Subject: Re: [Trainer-talk] OCR software and scanning
>> 
>> Hi. Personally, these days I'm using DocuScan Plus from Serotek. It may not
>> be as feature-rich as Kurzweil 1000 or OpenBook, but it really does a great
>> job, and is available from anywhere that has a scanner and an Internet
>> connection. Also, there are no yearly fees to pay for updates. I still own a
>> version of K1000, but DocuScan Plus is really meeting my needs. It does
>> single pages, batch scanning, and PDF recognition, and those are the main
>> things I use my scanner for these days. If a client doesn't need anything
>> more than a way to scan and read books or regular documents, I personally
>> think that this is a great solution. I know some people are using some of
>> the mainstream scanning solutions too, but having never used those, I don't
>> know how they compare.
>> 
>> Caroline
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Trainer-talk [mailto:trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>> Bonnie Lucas
>> Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 2:08 PM
>> To: trainer-talk at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: [Trainer-talk] OCR software and scanning
>> 
>> Hello,
>> Looking for advice regarding what folks are doing nowadays with scanning
>> things such as mail, handouts, small pamphlets and such. What are
>> differences between standard OCR software and ones specifically for blind
>> users (Open Book and Kurzweil), in terms of how well they work with JAWS and
>> how accessible they are in general. Also, given the price of Open Book with
>> the Pearl Scanner from FS, is it worth recommending them for a client when
>> VR doesn't think they are worth the money? Hope this is making sense. Thanks
>> for your suggestions.
>> 
>> 
>> Bonnie Lucas, VRT, MSW
>> Braille and Technology Instructor, VISA Coordinator Equipping Alaskans for
>> Success Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
>> 3903 Taft Drive
>> Anchorage, Alaska  99517
>> Phone: (907) 248-7770    Direct: (907) 771-4306
>> www.alaskabvi.org       www.facebook.com/alaskabvi
>> 
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