How best to scan thousands of index cards??

[mcgwirecom]

I saw a site called checkoutmycards.com my friend lists cards on there. They actually scan EVERY card they put on there. And this is a ton of really cheap cards! they have some technology but don't really say how. But they say you can contact them. Go on this link and look at the 4th FAQ...

http://www.checkoutmycards.com/FAQ.aspx

[btcarfagno]

I used my Fujitsu Scan Snap and it worked incredibly well. Scanned about 50 at a time and they were none the worse for wear. All came out of the machine just as they entered. The software saved the scans individually...so now I will just go back and rename the scans. Wow this is a big surprise. And a rare happy one!

Tom C

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by btcarfagno

I used my Fujitsu Scan Snap and it worked incredibly well. Scanned about 50 at a time and they were none the worse for wear. All came out of the machine just as they entered. The software saved the scans individually...so now I will just go back and rename the scans. Wow this is a big surprise. And a rare happy one!

Tom C

Tom, I hope you'll indulge a few questions, as I've looked at that particular scanner with some interest, but haven't had the courage to invest the $ in a piece of equipment that might not work for my purposes. Here goes:

1) How are the output files handled for scanning both sides of a card? Does it combine them into one image, or split into 2 (and if the latter, how does it name the files)?

2) Does it automatically correct the scan for cards entering slightly askew?

3) Does it leave any kind of border around the cards, or crop the scan right up to the card edge? (Probably not a problem for index cards, but I try to leave some blank space around other cards when I scan them so that it doesn't appear that I have "digitally trimmed" potential wear on the edges and corners).

4) What is the widest card or paper that the scanner will accept?

5) Have you had any issues with the scanner becoming "dirty" and causing lines in the scans?

Sorry if all that sounds picky, but you're the first person I've encountered who had one of these who was not also trying to sell it to me

[btcarfagno]

1. As of right now it keeps the front and back scans separate. I am almost positive that some tinkering with the software will save them as one....though I have not yet figured this out. It names the files a generic number based on date and number the scan is.

2. The askew situation was not an issue with the index cards because you can adjust the feeder to squeeze items that are the same size. I used it in my tax practice this year and it did its best to auto correct.

3. I have to check back about the border. I believe that it leaves one but will have to check on that.

4. It will scan items slightly wider than 8 1/2 inches wide.

5. It isn't old enough to have any dirt issues. Bought it in January of this year. It has done tons of scans and so far so good.

Tom C