Network Scanning

[dhicks]

I mentioned having a machine set up with a scanner attached, but it was considered too much hassle to expect the students to log on to that machine, then scan, then go back to the machine they are working at

No - set up a Windows PC, have it automatically log on and connect to a network drive when its starts up, then simply set the scanning software to scan straight to the network drive. The Canon LiDE software is great for this - it listens out for a dedicated "scan" button being pressed on the front of the scanner, then automatically scans the document and saves it. You don't even have to give the PC a screen. Other models of scanner probably operate in a similar fashion, I think the Epson software does.

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David Hicks

[cookie_monster]

I mentioned having a machine set up with a scanner attached, but it was considered too much hassle to expect the students to log on to that machine, then scan, then go back to the machine they are working at

Ahhh the poor things I mean how often do they actually scan for it to be too much hassle to do that.

[dgsmith]

No - set up a Windows PC, have it automatically log on and connect to a network drive when its starts up, then simply set the scanning software to scan straight to the network drive. The Canon LiDE software is great for this - it listens out for a dedicated "scan" button being pressed on the front of the scanner, then automatically scans the document and saves it. You don't even have to give the PC a screen.

Got it spot on - exactly how we do it. There is no hassle whatsoever! In fact, it is the easiest and least hassle option, not alone the cheapest.

[cookie_monster]

Quote:
Originally Posted by dhicks
No - set up a Windows PC, have it automatically log on and connect to a network drive when its starts up, then simply set the scanning software to scan straight to the network drive. The Canon LiDE software is great for this - it listens out for a dedicated "scan" button being pressed on the front of the scanner, then automatically scans the document and saves it. You don't even have to give the PC a screen.

Doesn't this create problems if the user want's to use any options like preview so they don't scan the entire doc, or want it B&W or....

[localzuk]

Doesn't this create problems if the user want's to use any options like preview so they don't scan the entire doc, or want it B&W or....

This is an important thing I always say about cameras, scanners and video cameras - do not make such choices when you scan. Those things are post-production tasks. ie. scan full page, colour, then edit it to be how you want. If you do things like alter the image at scanning time (lets say make it B&W), what happens if you change your mind? You have to scan again, rather than just opening the original file.

[cookie_monster]

This is an important thing I always say about cameras, scanners and video cameras - do not make such choices when you scan. Those things are post-production tasks. ie. scan full page, colour, then edit it to be how you want. If you do things like alter the image at scanning time (lets say make it B&W), what happens if you change your mind? You have to scan again, rather than just opening the original file.

That is very true. I'm sure it would drive some of our users up the wall, I'll look into it

[dhicks]

Doesn't this create problems if the user want's to use any options like preview so they don't scan the entire doc, or want it B&W or....

Above the scanning station, attach a flyswat - the handle end fixed to the wall, the business end attached to a length of string that winds on to a pully powered by an electric motor. Rig the electric motor up to the PC, attach one of those quick-release elctromagnets to the wall where it will meet with a matching magnet attached to the paddle of the flyswat. Write some software to control the motor from the PC, have it wind the motor to bend the flyswat back and switch the electromagnet on, holding the flyswat at the ready. Install voice recognition software, rig it to recongise any phrases along the general lines of "Hey, could I..." and have it pass a call along to your flyswat control to release the flyswat.

Now, whenever someone stands at the scanning station and asks if they can change from the default settings they automatically get a slap in the face. "Hey, could I just..." <swish>, <splat!>. "But could I just..." <swish>, <splat!>. "Maybe I could just..." <swish>, <splat!>.

Problem solved.

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David Hicks

[dgsmith]

Above the scanning station, attach a flyswat - the handle end fixed to the wall, the business end attached to a length of string that winds on to a pully powered by an electric motor. Rig the electric motor up to the PC, attach one of those quick-release elctromagnets to the wall where it will meet with a matching magnet attached to the paddle of the flyswat. Write some software to control the motor from the PC, have it wind the motor to bend the flyswat back and switch the electromagnet on, holding the flyswat at the ready. Install voice recognition software, rig it to recongise any phrases along the general lines of "Hey, could I..." and have it pass a call along to your flyswat control to release the flyswat.

Now, whenever someone stands at the scanning station and asks if they can change from the default settings they automatically get a slap in the face. "Hey, could I just..." <swish>, <splat!>. "But could I just..." <swish>, <splat!>. "Maybe I could just..." <swish>, <splat!>.

Problem solved.

I'm just amused to the fact that you spent the time and effort to think that up and actually post it

[bossman]

@dhicks:

Brilliant idea, well thought out and could possibly work given half a chance (might wake the stupid s*ds up!!)

[mac_shinobi]

or instead of a network drive that goes all over across the network you could get a gigabit nas or even 100mbps nas and get a local mini netgear / linksys switch and connect the nas to that and the computer then to the network and point it to a path on the nas then there is no extra traffic across the windows domain network.

Assuming the nas is raided in some reasonable way they have a backup as well.

[BaccyNet]

We have two cheap usb scanners connected through usb to cat5 converters. Then in the cab where the sockets terminate there is a small shuttle that takes the image into a shared folder.

It gives the illusion of network scanning, but at a fraction of the price
I will say though that I have had to setup an auto-reboot to clear things every night as well as an autoit script to click ok on any boxes that may appear, but it still works fine for what we want.