OCR and PDF conversion software

[george]

I'd like to be able to use my flatbed scanner (HP 6200CXi) to do a couple of
things I haven't used it for in the past and was wondering if anyone had any
software recommendations for:
1) scan to PDF conversion
2) OCR
(preferably, the same software package but will consider two) I am using a
WIntel XP Home computer. (If the software also runs under Win98 that could
be useful in case I ever need to use an older, backup PC.)

TIA,
George

 

[CSM1]

I'd like to be able to use my flatbed scanner (HP 6200CXi) to do a couple
of things I haven't used it for in the past and was wondering if anyone
had any software recommendations for:
1) scan to PDF conversion
2) OCR
(preferably, the same software package but will consider two) I am using
a WIntel XP Home computer. (If the software also runs under Win98 that
could be useful in case I ever need to use an older, backup PC.)

TIA,
George

A tip: If you own any OCR programs now, you can use the upgrade version of
these programs.

OmniPage Pro 15 OS systems:
Microsoft© Windows© 98 (from second edition), Windows Me, Windows 2000 (from
Service Pack 2), Windows XP or Windows Server 2003
http://www.nuance.com/omnipage/

Abbyy Fine Reader 8.0 OS System requirement:
Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003, Windows XP, Windows 2000 ( to work with
localized interfaces, corresponding language support is required)
http://www.abbyy.com/finereader_ocr/

 

[george]

A tip: If you own any OCR programs now, you can use the upgrade version of
these programs.

OmniPage Pro 15 OS systems:
Microsoft© Windows© 98 (from second edition), Windows Me, Windows 2000
(from Service Pack 2), Windows XP or Windows Server 2003
http://www.nuance.com/omnipage/

I have OmniPage Pro 10 Scan Suite...it I read their site correctly, they'll
only let you upgrade if you have 11 or higher. I can still find OmniPage
Pro 14, is it worth getting? (I understand "10" won't work with XP, haven't
tried it to verify and/or mangle my current configuration.)

 

[CSM1]

I have OmniPage Pro 10 Scan Suite...it I read their site correctly,
they'll only let you upgrade if you have 11 or higher. I can still find
OmniPage Pro 14, is it worth getting? (I understand "10" won't work with
XP, haven't tried it to verify and/or mangle my current configuration.)

Omnipage 14 is OK, but 15 is far better.

Here is an offer I got in Email from Nuance.

OmniPage 15, the latest version of the world's best selling OCR software, is
the most precise way to convert paper and PDF files into your favorite PC
applications quickly and cost-effectively. As a registered Nuance (formerly
ScanSoft) customer, you're invited to take advantage of a special, limited
time offer. For just $79.99* you can purchase the new OmniPage 15 - and save
$70 off the everyday price. But hurry, this exclusive offer expires on April
30, 2006.

To order your copy of OmniPage 15 for just $79.99:

Click http://www.digitalriver.com/promo=126373 to download
Click http://www.digitalriver.com/promo=126374 to receive by U.S. mail
or call 888-781-1189 and reference promotional code 244912.

I recommend the U.S. Mail option, you get an actual CD in the mail.

I get the offers because I am a registered owner of previous versions of
Omnipage.
Your Omnipage 10 should qualify you for the upgrade.

Besides at the above link they don't ask questions.

 

[Clarence Klopfstein]

I'd like to be able to use my flatbed scanner (HP 6200CXi) to do a couple of
things I haven't used it for in the past and was wondering if anyone had any
software recommendations for:
1) scan to PDF conversion
2) OCR
(preferably, the same software package but will consider two) I am using a
WIntel XP Home computer. (If the software also runs under Win98 that could
be useful in case I ever need to use an older, backup PC.)

TIA,
George

Check out Art-Copy Enterprise at ScanHelp.com

 

[Brendan R. Wehrung]

Omnipage 14 is OK, but 15 is far better.

Here is an offer I got in Email from Nuance.

OmniPage 15, the latest version of the world's best selling OCR software, is
the most precise way to convert paper and PDF files into your favorite PC
applications quickly and cost-effectively. As a registered Nuance (formerly
ScanSoft) customer, you're invited to take advantage of a special, limited
time offer. For just $79.99* you can purchase the new OmniPage 15 - and save
$70 off the everyday price. But hurry, this exclusive offer expires on April
30, 2006.

To order your copy of OmniPage 15 for just $79.99:

Click http://www.digitalriver.com/promo=126373 to download
Click http://www.digitalriver.com/promo=126374 to receive by U.S. mail
or call 888-781-1189 and reference promotional code 244912.

I recommend the U.S. Mail option, you get an actual CD in the mail.

I get the offers because I am a registered owner of previous versions of
Omnipage.
Your Omnipage 10 should qualify you for the upgrade.

Besides at the above link they don't ask questions.

I also have Omnipage 15 and am generally satisfied with it, with two caveats:
1 It comes with PDF Create!, the stupid version of their PDF-managing
software (open, edit, recreate PDF). It works, although in my limited
experimentation it had some formatting issues. The damn thing tries to
launch when I right-click or delete in certain situations, and has to be
cancelled.
2 Nuance charges for tech support, all except for the first call. They
said this is now "industry standard"--even for e-mail support, which is
half-price ($10) per incident. They told me they got too many people
needing hand-holding with operationanal issues that it cost them a mint.
The end result is I have saved my one free call and lived with condition 1
lest something really bad happens.

If you can live with a company that thinks more of their profits than
customer satisfaction, the thing works quite well, and I'm otherwise
pleased with OmniPage 15 Professional, for which I paid the same as the
deal mentioned above. Be aware that they have a largish patch (who
doesn't?) that should be applied if you buy it.

Brendan

 

[CSM1]

I also have Omnipage 15 and am generally satisfied with it, with two
caveats:
1 It comes with PDF Create!, the stupid version of their PDF-managing
software (open, edit, recreate PDF). It works, although in my limited
experimentation it had some formatting issues. The damn thing tries to
launch when I right-click or delete in certain situations, and has to be
cancelled.
2 Nuance charges for tech support, all except for the first call. They
said this is now "industry standard"--even for e-mail support, which is
half-price ($10) per incident. They told me they got too many people
needing hand-holding with operationanal issues that it cost them a mint.
The end result is I have saved my one free call and lived with condition 1
lest something really bad happens.

If you can live with a company that thinks more of their profits than
customer satisfaction, the thing works quite well, and I'm otherwise
pleased with OmniPage 15 Professional, for which I paid the same as the
deal mentioned above. Be aware that they have a largish patch (who
doesn't?) that should be applied if you buy it.

Brendan

Brendan:
The Pro version comes with PDF create and PDF Convert. I don't think the
version I linked to is the Pro version.

I have no problem with my PDF Create! It never launches automatically.

I love PDF Create! It is the cat's meow for creating PDF's. It really is
great for making a PDF of a Microsoft Word document. And it is pretty good
at turning a scanned image (I use Tiff) into a PDF.