Used Large Format Scanners

Fujitsu fi-6130 Duplex Scanner (PA03540-B055)
For many who want to install a large format scanner, a used one will do as satisfactorily as a brand new one and at a much lower cost. Consider an engineering firm that does all its design in CAD. It might still want to convert some of the older drawings, or those obtained from other sources, to digital form. A used scanner obtained from an authorized dealer with a warranty and maintenance contract would fulfill this need much more economically than a new scanner, since the application does not require the latest models. But an art museum, library or a reprographic center may opt for a new machine with the best resolution and image quality.



When going for a pre-owned scanner, care must be taken to ensure that the machine is compatible with computers and operating systems that are used today. For example, some of the old Contex DOS-based scanners use a proprietary interface card that is no longer available. Some of the old models will need frequent repairs, and the parts for it will no longer be available. So it is always good to opt for scanners with a maintenance contract also included in the buying price. If the scanner is for temporary use, then the re-sale value should also be considered when making a choice.



The major attraction in buying a used scanner is the lower cost involved; but this should not be at the expense of quality. Buying from reliable vendors who are authorized by the manufacturers themselves ensures quality. Contex, Vidar, Graphtec and ACTion Imaging are some manufacturers who facilitate the re-sale of their used scanners. Re-sale involves repairing the old scanner and making required modifications to suit the present need. Standard accessories are also made available. When buying used scanners, it is always advisable to buy it from a dealer near you, since that will make the repair and maintenance easy, whenever necessary.





Large Format Scanners provides detailed information on Large Format Scanners, Large Format Color Scanners, Large Format Flatbed Scanners, Used Large Format Scanners and more. Large Format Scanners is affliated with Home Theater Projector Screens.

A Buyer?s Guide to Film Scanners

Fujitsu fi-6130 Duplex Scanner (PA03540-B055)
A Buyer's Guide to Film Scanners



Film scanners are made for the sole and express purpose of scanning film directly into your computer. Unlike their flatbed counterparts, which may be able to handle media of various sizes and thicknesses and can even scan film if a transparency adapter is installed, film scanners scan only one thing: film. But because the image to be scanned is taken directly from the original material - from the film, and not from a print - film scanners allow more direct control over image elements such as cropping and aspect ratio. In addition, film has more detail and dynamic range compared to prints - which invariably lose tonal range and color data during the printmaking process. These are real concerns to photographers and graphic artists, who rely on original slides and film - and film scanners - to ensure the integrity of scanned images in professional and commercial applications. So, if your work relies on scanning negatives, slides, and other types of film, a film scanner is the right choice for you. This buying guide tackles some of the more important things that you need to know when looking for a film scanner.



Style and Type Some flatbed scanners include either an external or built-in transparency adapter that is used to scan film. Other flatbeds are of a dual-bed design; i.e., with one bed - the glass flatbed part of the scanner -for scanning prints; and another bed - a transparency bay that looks like a pull-out drawer - for scanning film. If you intend to scan only the occasional slide or stray piece of film, and don't mind the lower resolution as well, a flatbed scanner that can accommodate film may well serve your purpose. Be aware, however, that the resulting film scans will not be suitable for commercial or professional use. To obtain the best results, nothing less than a dedicated film scanner will do.



Bit Depth



A scanner's bit depth determines the number of bits captured per pixel, which is related to the number of possible colors. The higher the bit depth is, the greater the number of colors that can be shown. Bit depth for film scanners on the market today can be 30-bits, 36-bits, 42-bits, or 48-bits. Always aim for higher bit depth when possible, as this allows the scanner to work with and retain a greater amount of color information. A 48-bit scanner, for instance, produces 65,536 levels or shades of color per R,G,B (red, green, blue) channel, resulting in a mind-blowing possible combination of about 250 trillion colors. In contrast, a 36-bit scanner produces 4,096 levels of information, or a paltry 68.7 billion colors.



Resolution



For scanners, the optical, or "true", resolution is what matters, as this is the actual number of pixels being read by the scanner's optics. Film scanners have much higher resolution figures compared to flatbeds, with optical resolution in film scanners ranging from 2700 dpi to 5400 dpi, and 4000 dpi being the most common. The high resolution in film scanners allows you to enlarge small images, creating enough pixels in the process to print in full-page size.



For instance, a full-frame 35mm color negative scanned at 2400 dpi will result in a size of about 3400 x 2200 pixels. If this 2400-dpi image is printed at 300 dpi, the resulting printed image will be 8 times larger than the original film size (2400/300=8). In actual terms, this means that your original 1.4 x 0.9-inch film (36 x 24 mm) can be increased by 8 times to 11.2 x 7.2 inches when printed at 300 dpi - without any loss of image clarity or detail. A word of caution: Because film scanners can scan in such high resolutions, file sizes can be big. Scanning the 35mm negative at 2400 dpi in the example just cited will result in a file size of 22 megabytes.



Film Formats



Most film scanners work with 35mm film. Some can scan APS film, but an optional APS adapter is needed to batch scan the full APS roll. Other film scanners, such as the Microtek ArtixScan 120tf, can scan medium format film as well, ranging from 6x6cm to 6x17cm panoramic. Check to see what types of film holders are provided with the film scanner; most models will include a 35mm slide holder as well as a 35mm filmstrip holder. A few models offer optional autofeeders that accommodate 50 mounted slides to allow efficient batch scanning of film.



Interface



The hardware interface of your film scanner will determine how long it takes to transfer digital data to a computer for processing. Together with the actual operational speed of the scanner, the hardware interface plays an important part in determining scan speed. Most older film scanners have SCSI ports; the newer film scanners feature FireWire or USB (Hi-Speed or USB 1.1) interfaces. Models with either USB or FireWire interface are hot swappable - which means the scanners can be plugged or unplugged from other devices to which they are connected without having to turn the scanners off and on.



Dynamic Range



The dynamic range of a scanner measures how well it can capture the tonal range of an image, ranging from the brightest highlights to the darkest shadows. Dynamic range is a more important spec in film scanners than it is for flatbeds, because film and other transparent media have a broader range of tones compared to photos or prints - something that film scanners are perfectly equipped to capture and show. Dynamic range is measured on a scale from 0.0 (perfect white) to 4.0 (perfect black), and the single number associated with a scanner indicates how much of that range it can tell apart. The minimum and maximum density values that can be captured by a scanner are called Dmin and Dmax, respectively. If a scanner's Dmin was 0.2 and its Dmax was 4.2, then its dynamic range would be 4.0. The dynamic range of film scanners are usually advertised by their manufacturers as falling somewhere between 4.0 and 4.6, but these are intrinsically difficult figures to prove or validate, and a model claiming a higher number may not necessarily have better results to show, mainly because of variances in testing and determining the figure. A more practical way of assessing would be to visually check how shadows and highlights are reproduced by the scanner and then compare the results to the original image or to how other scanners reproduce those same tonal colors.



Dust-and-Scratch Removal, Film Repair



Software provided with film scanners can be specialized and varied. Like flatbeds, film scanners will include their own driver or scanning software, as well as bundle an image-editing program - such as Adobe Photoshop - into which scanned images are delivered and placed. In addition, higher-end film scanners may include a color calibration and ICC profiler program, which ensures consistent color by creating a color profile specific to the film scanner. With the ICC profiler program, an image - known as an IT8 target and containing industry-standard color values - is scanned, and then compared to values that the scanner actually recorded. The differences are then translated into a compensation scheme to even out color variations, so that accurate color results can be produced in the future.



Dust and scratches on film can present a big challenge for film scanners, as imperfections can take on gigantic proportions when the film is scanned at the scanner's very high resolution. Film can also be damaged through improper handling, and what appears to the naked eye as a tiny scratch may render the image on a film practically useless. For this reason, a number of film-repair technologies have been developed to remove imperfections, allowing an image to be reconstructed and printed flawlessly, as though it came from a pristine original. These film-repair technologies may be implemented either through software alone, such as the dust-and-scratch removal feature from the SilverFast program by LaserSoft Imaging; or through a combination of hardware and software, as is the case with the DIGITAL ICE technology built-into some models.



Other technologies



Depending on the model, film scanners may incorporate proprietary technologies unique and exclusive to their manufacturer. Such technologies may include an auto-focus mechanism to ensure perfect image capture, a patented feeder mechanism, or specially designed holders for making film stay flat. These features may make a real difference in improving the quality of your scanning or streamlining your workflow.







Microtek Lab Inc. is a consumer electronics company focused on scanners, plasma and lcd televisions, digital projectors, lcd monitors, digital cameras, home theatre equipment, and accessories. You can view their online store at http://www.store.microtek.com Use of this article is permitted provided that the article is used in its entirety.

A Buyer's Guide to Flatbed Scanners

Fujitsu fi-6130 Duplex Scanner (PA03540-B055)

A Buyer's Guide to Flatbed Scanners

Flatbed scanners generally deliver the best combination of quality, flexibility, and usability in scanning. They can be used to scan different kinds of media, including photos and film (with the additional use of a transparency adapter); they can be used to scan text for OCR and document archiving; and they can be used to scan material of varying sizes and thicknesses - from small postage stamps to large mechanical blueprints and 3D objects. To determine the flatbed scanner for your needs, this buying guide covers some of the more important flatbed scanner specifications that you will need to know.

Bit depth and color pass

Practically all scanners today are single-pass types with 48-bit color. Gone are the scanners of yore that required three passes to capture the full RGB (red, green, blue) color information from an image in individual, painstakingly slow takes. Gone too are 24-bit and 36-bit scanners that proved sufficient in the past for delivering up to 68.7 billions of color.

Today's single-pass, 48-bit scanners are fast and can theoretically capture up to 250 trillion colors - clearly more color than the human eye can distinguish or what monitors and printers can reproduce - but impressive nonetheless for the promise of yielding hues as close to life as possible and delivering smoother color gradations. Ignore all but single-pass scanners when shopping for a flatbed, and aim for 48-bit color as well. Consider lower-bit models (such as 42-bits) only if your scanner of choice has other specs that a higher-bit counterpart may not have - such as patented technologies and special features - that more than compensate for the lower bit depth of your selected model.

Resolution

The resolution of a scanner determines the level of detail that can be captured; the higher the resolution, the sharper the scan will be. There are two types of resolution: optical and interpolated, with optical resolution being the more important spec, as it relates to the scanner's actual optics and amount of information that it can sample. The interpolated resolution of a scanner is helpful only in specific applications - such as scanning line art, where higher resolutions can even out jaggedness and produce smoother contours.

Most flatbeds today feature respectable specs for optical resolution, ranging from 2400 dpi to 4800 dpi. Any scanner with such resolution figures would prove a respectable choice, since these specs are more than capable of delivering sharp detail or enlarging images for most print applications. Remember, too, that scanning your images in the full resolution of the scanner is likely to yield file sizes of unmanageable proportions - without delivery any discernible benefit towards increasing image clarity or quality. So forget the resolution wars of the past when manufacturers trotted out their resolution specs to trump their closest rival. Instead, look for other features today in flatbeds that may be more important for your needs, or consider the resolution spec TOGETHER with these other features when choosing your choice of flatbed.

CCD vs. CIS Sensor Technology

Image sensors in flatbed scanners can be of two types - CCD or CIS. Scanners with CCD (charge-coupled device) sensors use a system of mirrors and lenses for redirecting light reflected from the original document to the CCD array. Because of the required optics, CCD scanners are more expensive to produce and result in bulkier scanners, compared to their CIS counterparts. The image quality produced by CCD scanners, however, is far superior to that produced by CIS scanners.

CIS, or Contact Image Sensor technology, is a more recent development in which the sensor array lies just under the scanner bed, so that the sensors catch reflected light directly. Since CIS scanners do not need a complex optical system, they are cheaper to produce and are smaller in size, resulting in portable, lightweight models that may be prove ideal for cramped desktops. CIS sensors also contain on-board logic that consumes less power than CCD. But because the on-board logic utilizes space that would normally be used for the mirrors and lenses in a CCD to sense light, scans from a CIS scanner are lower in quality. As a result, most people tend to forego the slight savings that can be obtained from a CIS scanner in favor of getting higher-quality CCD models instead.

Connectivity & Interface

Most consumer-level scanners today will feature USB ports - either Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) on more recent models, or the earlier USB 1.1 standard. Hi-Speed USB is backwards compatible with the USB 1.1 and has a data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps). Higher-end scanner models are likely to include the FireWire interface as well, allowing scanners to be used in advanced, professional such as audio/video transfer and data storage. Scanners with either USB or FireWire interface are hot swappable - which means the scanners can be plugged or unplugged from other devices to which they are connected without having to turn the scanners off and on. Older scanners will include SCSI or parallel ports, but you shouldn't have to consider these legacy-type models - unless you are using the scanner to connect to older computers. When shopping for a flatbed, any scanner with a Hi-Speed USB port should be purchase-worthy, but consider getting a model with dual Hi-Speed USB and FireWire interfaces to expand your range of possible connections to many other devices and peripherals.

Scan Speed

Speed specifications in flatbeds are hard to determine - unless the scanner manufacturer provides the specs or the exact conditions in which material is scanned. Scan speeds can run from seconds to several minutes, depending on a wide variety of factors. For instance, to compare scan speed between two comparable models, one will need to know the size of the material being scanned, the resolution setting, the interface being used, and the processing speed and power of the computer to which the scanner is connected. Check speed claims carefully if these are made at all; it may help to do an actual or sample scan with the model of your choice, and see if you are satisfied with the speeds of the preview and actual scans. You could also check to see if your flatbed model has been reviewed in computer magazines or sites and rated for speed, as benchmark tests may give a more comprehensive picture on how fast the scanner runs.

Size of Scan Bed

Most flatbeds today will start out with a standard scan bed size of 8.5" x 11.7", approximating the dimensions of a letter-size image or document. From there, various bed-size configurations could come into play, including 8.5" x 14" to accommodate legal-size material, and 12" x 17" for large, tabloid-size scanning. It's usually a good idea to consider a flatbed with a bed size that's beyond the bare minimum - in this case, larger than the barebones 8.5" x 11.7". Not only can you fit larger-sized material onto the scan bed, you can also group several smaller pieces on the scan bed and perform batch scans (scanning in groups) to save time and effort. Dynamic Range

The dynamic range of a scanner measures how well it can capture the tonal range of an image, ranging from the brightest highlights to the darkest shadows. Dynamic range is measured on a scale from 0.0 (perfect white) to 4.0 (perfect black), and the single number associated with a scanner indicates how much of that range it can tell apart. The minimum and maximum density values that can be captured by a scanner are called Dmin and Dmax, respectively. If a scanner's Dmin was 0.2 and its Dmax was 3.0, then its dynamic range would be 2.8.

While dynamic range is a term often bandied about, in truth the spec is more important for film scanners used to scan slides, negatives, and transparencies - as these types of media have a broader range of tones compared to photos, and for which a scanner's higher dynamic range can make a difference. Most flatbed scanners will have a dynamic range of 2.8 to 3.0, but don't be surprised if you can't find it in the specs, as this is not critical information needed by the average user looking to scan photos or prints.

Software

In selecting the scanner of your choice, consider the software that comes with it. Software will always include the scanner's own driver or scanning software, as well as a host of complementary programs such as image-editing software like Adobe Photoshop to which the scanned image is delivered; optical character recognition software like ABBYY FineReader Sprint for text scanning and OCR; color calibration software for higher-end scanner models; and even photo-repair software like DIGITAL ICE. Check for extras as well, such as proprietary or exclusive technologies.

About the Author

Microtek Lab Inc. is a consumer electronics company focused on scanners, plasma and lcd televisions, digital projectors, lcd monitors, digital cameras, home theatre equipment, and accessories. You can view their online store at http://www.store.microtek.com Use of this article is permitted provided that the article is used in its entirety.

Large Format Printer With Scanners

Fujitsu fi-6130 Duplex Scanner (PA03540-B055)
Large format printers are a very convenient and often indispensable tool in producing hard copies of digitalized images such as technical drawings, paintings, maps, and office documents. It is an important part of electronic document management, in which the first step is scanning. So it is, in many cases, desirable to have printers with scanning capabilities. This need is all the more evident when it is required to produce enlarged images from drawings stored on microfilm. The conversion of actual drawing into microfilm requires a scanner with medium resolution. But when a microfilm is being scanned, it must be done at very high resolution so as to have good image quality in the print and to show the details in an enlarged copy. The printer is generally of inkjet type. UV curable inkjet printing is a relatively new technology in printing.



HP DesignJet 815 MFP is a printer-scanner with a resolution of 2400x1200 dpi. This makes it suitable for scanning microfilms as well as for any other scanning purpose, and it handles even thick, rigid media. It is designed to handle CAD output, GIS and graphics. It is capable of scanning and printing both color and black and white images. The printer is of thermal inkjet type. It can manage widths of up to 42 inches and media as long as 50 feet.



Epson Stylus DX4800 is another all?in-one color printer, scanner and copier. It can give a resolution of up to 5760x1440 optimized dpi on qualified media. It is a fast printer capable of producing as many as 20 pages per minute. The scanning area is 216mm x 297mm. The printing width is also not very high, but the quality is excellent. The scanner has a maximum resolution of 1200dpi and a scanning speed of 30msec per line at this resolution. At lower resolutions of 600dpi and 300dpi, it gives better speeds of 15msec per line and 10msec per line, respectively.





Large Format Scanners provides detailed information on Large Format Scanners, Large Format Color Scanners, Large Format Flatbed Scanners, Used Large Format Scanners and more. Large Format Scanners is affliated with Home Theater Projector Screens.

Large Format Document Scanners

Fujitsu fi-6130 Duplex Scanner (PA03540-B055)
Document scanning is the first step in upgrading to electronic document management, which promises enormous storage capacity, high security and easy retrieval of office documents. Large format document scanners come in a wide variety, and choosing from them according to your need is as demanding yet worthwhile task. Most document scanners are of flatbed type. They come in color as well as black and white. Black and white scanners are much cheaper and would suffice for much of the day-to-day office document management. A duplex scanner can handle pages with one or both of their sides printed. Document scanners with video card interface are available for processing bar codes or patch codes or for increasing the quality of scans. The speed of the document scanner is an important factor and is expressed in inches per second or meters per minute; some scanner speeds are also expressed in sheets per minute. Some of the high-end document scanners also have the capability to print the documents they scan.Document scanners are rated for a duty cycle in number of pages per day. This is the number of pages that the machine is designed to handle per day and should not be exceeded in order to ensure maximum life. The parts of an overloaded scanner wear out much more quickly. So a scanner of optimum duty cycle should be chosen for maximum economy.



Though most document scanners are of the flatbed type, with the document lying stationary on a glass pane, vertical scanners, in which paper is fed through the top and moves downwards past the sensors, are also popular. Some of the newer scanners are equipped with the revolutionary iJet technology, which allows the user to take printouts from a large format printer connected directly to the scanner. It also lets the scanner be connected directly to an existing LAN without an attached host PC.



Lanier, Canon, Visionshape, Fujitsu, Vidar, ACTion Imaging, Contex, IDEAL and Oce are among the leading manufacturers of large format document scanners.





Large Format Color Scanners provides detailed information on Large Format Scanners, Large Format Color Scanners, Large Format Flatbed Scanners, Used Large Format Scanners and more. Large Format Color Scanners is affiliated with Home Theater Projector Screens.

Choosing The Right Barcode Scanner

Fujitsu fi-6130 Duplex Scanner (PA03540-B055)

Barcode Wands

Barcode wands were the first broadly used types of barcode readers. How does such a barcode wand work? In the tip of the wand you'll find a small LED (light emitting diode) and a photo receptor. The light is reflected from the code into the receiver. From the signal pattern of the reflection the wand can determine the type and content of the barcode. Reading a barcode with a wand is simple but requires some practice. There is no trigger button, basically the wand is "always on" when connected to a PC. Then user holds it like a pen and moves it quickly from left to right to left over the barcode.

Barcode CCD Scanner

It's almost certain that most scanners today are of the Charge Coupled Device (CCD) scanning type. A good CCD Barcode Scanner for less than USD 100 will easily outperform a wand and at times even a laser scanner that costs two or three times as much. A CCD scanner is like an "expanded wand". Where wands have just one light emitting diode and one receiver, CCD scanners have a complete row of those elements. By triggering the scanner the whole code is illuminated and exposed to the receiving elements. Scanning barcodes with a CCD scanner is faster and more reliable than with a barcode wand.

Barcode Laser Scanner

Laser scanners have their name from a laser diode in the scanning head or "scan engine" as it is sometimes called. The beam is projected through a system of lenses and mirrors onto the barcode, resulting in a visible single red line or pattern of lines. Laser scanners have two modes of operation: They can be used in a stand and will trigger automatically if a barcode is held in front of the scanner. This can be very useful because it keeps the personnel's hands free and is one of the real pros of laser scanners. Out of the stand these devices use a trigger button much like a CCD scanner to trigger the scanning process.

Barcode Imager

Two dimensional or area barcodes have gained much popularity in recent years. With a 2D barcode it's possible to encode up to 3,000 bytes of information in a single barcode symbol the size of a stamp. However, this progress comes with a notable drawback: Ordinary barcode scanners will not read this type of barcodes. To scan area barcodes, so called barcode imagers are required. These scanners basically work like a digital camera, that is they take an image of the barcode, decode and process the encoded data and transmit the data to the host computer.

Connecting a Barcode Scanner to a Computer

PCs still outnumber Macs by far so it comes as no surprise that most scanners use an interface that will only connect to PC's: A keyboard wedge. Basically a keyboard wedge is a "Y" shaped cable that connects the scanner, the keyboard and the PC. Everything the scanner sends looks to the computer as if the user have typed it into the keyboard. Drivers are not required, the installation is child's play.

For Macintosh computers or laptops without keyboard ports, a connection via USB is the only viable alternative.

About the Author:

Pro Barcode is your source for Barcode Software. Barcode newbies visit our section Barcode Know How and FAQ.

Bar Code Scanners - Know the Features

Fujitsu fi-6130 Duplex Scanner (PA03540-B055)
Barcode Scanners are hand-held or stationary devices used for capturing information from barcodes. A barcode scanner consists of a code reader and a decoder. These devices are connected to a computer through compatible ports



The earliest, most basic and cheapest barcode scanners consisted of a fixed light and a single photosensor. Modern barcode scanners have polygonal mirrors and use laser scanning technology. Laser barcode printers have the advantage of reading barcodes from any angle.



Barcode scanners are available in different varieties like hand-held, hands-free, wearable, rugged, scan engines, laser and digital. Pen-wand scanners are the simplest and most portable type of such devices. They have to be kept in direct contact with the barcode and held at a precise angle to interpret the barcodes. Modern day digital cameras have enough resolution to capture both 1D and 2D barcodes.

Barcode scanners can be distinguished as follows:

LED scanner: Also referred to as CCD scanners, even though the CCD is in fact the photo imaging sensor, not the light source.

Laser scanner: More expensive than LED scanners but are generally capable of longer maximum scanning distances.

Imager scanner: These scanners take an image of the linear barcode, generally more rugged as they have no moving parts.

2D Imaging scanner: These scanners take a 2D image of the barcode as in a camera and can be used to scan 2D barcode types such as Datamatrix as well as the more common linear barcode types.

Handheld scanner: With a handle and typically a trigger button for switching on the light source.

Pen scanner (or wand scanner): a pen-shaped scanner that is swiped.

Stationary scanner: Wall- or table-mounted scanners that the barcode is passed under or beside. These are commonly found at the checkout counters of supermarkets and other retailers.

Fixed position scanner: An industrial barcode reader used to identify products during manufacture or logistics. Most often used on conveyer tracks to identify cartons or pallets which need to be routed to another process or shipping location.

PDA scanner: A PDA with a built-in barcode reader.



The latest in barcode scanner technology is mobile barcode scanners which use color code and mCode (new two-dimensional code format) to scan barcodes.



General purpose barcode scanners are used at checkout counters and hospitals. These are also used to process identification documents. Certain other kinds of scanners, like rugged scanners, are used in harsh or extreme conditions. Of the different barcode scanners, laser scanners and camera scanners are widely used these days. Camera scanners scan and capture the barcode images, which are then processed by sophisticated image techniques to decode the barcode.



Barcode scanners have increased the speed of data retrieval and data processing. They have become a mainstay in commercial establishments, libraries, counters, and virtually at any point-of-sale.



The benefits of barcode scanners are many. It greatly helps you organize your inventory, monitor the movement of goods, and ensure the security of your premises. Bar Code technology is helping enterprises worldwide streamline their business and control costs at the same time.



Choosing a right barcode scanner is an essential step for better inventory management and customer service.



Barcode readers come in different forms, sizes and prices. Their prices range from $50 to several thousands depending on the features, built, durability etc.



However, before purchasing a laser or CCD scanner, define your requirements:

The type of environment where you are going to use the scanner

Consider the portability factor

The symbology you plan to follow

The average scanning range



Choose a credible and reliable company. Go for a bar code scanner which has proved its usability. POS Components has made it its goal to provide the customers with the right equipment, from the right manufacturer, and at the right price!

Nsauditor - network security scanner and auditor

Fujitsu fi-6130 Duplex Scanner (PA03540-B055)
July 29, 2006 (Nsasoft) -- Major new features of Nsauditor Version 1.3.7 include firewall system that allows to stop internet threats and block unwanted network connections. With Nsauditor Network Security Auditor, Systems Administrators are able to gather a wide range of information from all the computers in the network without installing server-side applications on these computers. It is a multi-purpose tool designed to scan networks and hosts for vulnerabilities, and to provide security alerts.

Nsauditor Network Security Auditor significantly reduces the total cost of network management in enterprise environments by enabling IT personnel to audit and monitor remote network computers for possible vulnerabilities. The software network auditor module checks network for all potential methods that a hacker might use to attack it, discovers network services and checks them for vulnerabilities.

Nsauditor is a complete networking utilities package ( more than 45 network tools in one ) that includes a wide range of tools for network auditing, scanning and monitoring. The product contains a built-in database of known network security vulnerabilities, which allows you to select the items for scanning and add custom entries. Nsauditor can discover NetBios names, audit MS SQL servers, scan for common Adware traces, discover services, devices, processes, installed applications, disks, shared resources, hardware resources, users, local groups and much more. Nsauditor Network Security Auditor has a centralized network monitoring interface, which allows to monitor the entire network from a single computer.

Nsauditor Network Monitoring module shows you detailed listings of all TCP and UDP endpoints on your system, including the owning process name, remote address and state of TCP connections, country of origin and service name/description. When you start Nsauditor it will enumerate all active TCP and UDP endpoints, resolving all IP addresses to their domain name versions. You can close established TCP/IP connections by right-clicking on a connection and/or request IP address whois information or trace route.

Nsauditor "Adware Scanner" tool scans network computers for common Adware traces. Adware Scanner searches system registry and gives you a quick look at the Adware, malware and spyware installed on your computer or in the range of network computers. Using colored icons Adware Scanner ?shows harmful objects.?

Removable devices create additional challenges for network security protection. Portable storage devices can be used both to download confidential data as well as to introduce a virus into the company network. Nsauditor Network Security Auditor "Removable Explorer" tool gives IT staff more control over unauthorized and dangerous removable devices ( USB device, CD-Rom and DVD ) by allowing them to scan the network for all removable devices that are connected to any one of the network computers. Removable Explorer displays remote network computer USB devices, CD-Rom, DVD drive or other removable storage device information and state, drive type, first and last plug in time, serial number, revision, device name, device vendor and more.

Nsauditor performs event log based intrusion detection, monitors the security event logs of Windows 2000/XP/2003 servers or workstations and notifies of the possible intrusions/attacks by using E-mail, Net Send, Speech Recognition method or by playing user selected voice file.

In summary, Nsauditor Network Security Auditor is a very complete network tools package for a surprisingly low price.

Application Info: http://www.nsauditor.com/downloads/index.html

Application Screenshot: http://www.nsauditor.com/images/screens/nm1.jpg

Download URL: http://www.nsauditor.com/downloads/nsauditor_setup.exe



About Nsasoft

Nsasoft is a provider of Network Information and Security Utilities. Nsauditor Network Security Auditor, BlueAuditor, ShareAlarmPro and SpotAuditor are used at thousands of companies and organizations. Nsauditor Network Security Auditor is one of the most widely used Network Security Audit and Information Utilities. Nsasoft offers Network security software for remote network monitoring and management, network status and performance monitoring, computer protection and internet security systems. For more information about Nsasoft, visit http://www.nsauditor.com



About Author

Mr. Varuzhan Kankanyan is one of the authors of Awards Winning Software Nsauditor Network Security Auditor and the Managing Director of Nsasoft, a software development and network security research firm.

Large Format Color Scanners

Fujitsu fi-6130 Duplex Scanner (PA03540-B055)
For almost all applications in which art or beauty is given primacy, the use of a color scanner is imperative. Digitalizing of portraits, indigenous textile designs, and large paintings call for the use of large format color scanners. The particular application in question may be best suited by color scanners of either flatbed-type or drum-type scanners. The choice of imaging technology between the traditional scanner using charge-coupled device (CCD) and the less expensive alternative using contact image sensors (CIS) should also be made judiciously.



When dealing with paintings and works of art, a CCD scanner is preferred so as to obtain best image quality, uniform color, and wide dynamic range. It is also ideal for scanning whole open books to obtain an image with little or no distortion. The geometric accuracy of this method is, however, inferior to that of CIS, and hence the latter are more suitable for scanning maps, engineering drawings, etc. The CIS scanner also has better resolving power since the scanned image is of the same size as the original. The resolution of the scanner is specified in dots per linear inch (dpi). The higher the resolution in dpi, the sharper is the scanned image. However, more resolution normally results in a larger image, requiring more memory for storage. The trade-off between the two depends on the use of the scanner. For example, official maps have to be scanned with much better resolution than the embroidery on a shawl. Large Format Scanners commonly available in the market have an optical resolution in the range of 150dpi to 800dpi, which would be sufficient for most general applications. The larger the scanned image, lesser is the enlargement involved, and lower is the resolution required. Highest resolution is desirable for scanning films.



Speed is another important criterion that influences our choice; speed is usually expressed in inches per second (ips) at a particular dpi. At a higher dpi, the speed will be less. For comparison, the speeds of all scanners are usually evaluated at 200dpi optical resolution, or at half the best optical resolution it provides. Most of the commonly available color scanners have speeds less than 300ips. Thickness of the media to be scanned is yet another factor to be considered when selecting the scanner type.

Selecting The Best Barcode Scanner For Your Business

Fujitsu fi-6130 Duplex Scanner (PA03540-B055)

A barcode is compiled of machine-readable information, which is commonly used on retail merchandise and other tangible products. Standard barcodes feature a series of printed parallel lines with numbers located just below. Barcodes are read by barcode scanners, which are also known as barcode readers.

A barcode scanner is a computer device used for reading printed barcodes. This type of product is commonly found in retail stores. A small handheld unit that reads, translates and provides information from a product is one type of popular scanners. As you pass through the checkout line, if you notice the checker searching for a tag, he or she is likely looking for the barcode. Among other things, a barcode scanner can interpret an item description and price from just one quick swipe.

Similar to a flatbed scanner, barcode scanners consist of a light source, lens and photo conductor. These come together to translate optical impulses into electrical impulses. The vast majority of all barcode scanners feature decoder circuits, which analyzes the barcode?s image date.

There are a variety of barcode scanners on the market, including the handheld model as previously mentioned. Pen scanners are small and look exactly like a writing pen. In order for them to work, you must point the tip at the beginning of the barcode and slide it across until the entire code has been scanned. Stationary scanners are similar to those found strategically placed throughout retail stores. These are usually posted for customers who wish to find out the price of an item without standing in the checkout line, which they can quickly accomplish by holding the barcode underneath the scanner window and, within a few seconds, the product name and price is displayed on a small screen.

Barcode scanners have helped to make the retail world, along with other businesses, work more efficiently and accurately. With computerized data being stored in one main location, a barcode automatically reads the product data and allows customers to get through the checkout line much faster. In addition, barcode scanners are beneficial in helping to keep track of sales, measure accurate sales records and provide an efficient way for stores to reorder a product.

Barcode scanners are available at most office supply stores, specialty business centers and at business liquidation sales. Prices vary depending on the model, performance and warranty that you select. Barcode scanners are a good investment if you need to have an efficient way to distribute, manage or keep track of sales, revenue and reorders. Before choosing a barcode scanner, be sure to realistically assess your business needs, size requirements, a reasonable budget and performance guidelines. For example, will you be using the scanner in a retail setting? Will it be used by cashiers, stationed throughout the store or both? As with any business equipment, always select a reputable dealer and inquire about product warranties. Retain all warranty information, along with the owner?s manual, in case of future technical problems. All paperwork should be tucked away in a safe location, which is easily accessible incase it is later needed.

About the Author

Peter Bishop

Entrepreneur and Barcode Scanner Online-Business owner from Colorado. Visit also his Fulfillment Service Directory

Signum Digital Kanban Integrates Inventory Barcode Scanners

Fujitsu fi-6130 Duplex Scanner (PA03540-B055)

Signum is Datacraft Solutions, Inc. (www.datacraftsolutions.com) flagship digital kanban automation solution, which streamlines replenishment and enables collaborative communication throughout the supply chain. Signum integrates inventory barcode scanners with an easy-to-use desktop interface. Manufacturers can automatically issue replenishment signals to suppliers at the point of use. Built-in monitoring, customizable alerts and control features ensure that inventory levels are properly maintained. According to Matthew Marotta, founder of Datacraft Solutions, "The result is a dramatic increase in visibility and control, adding up to a significant reduction in the number of required replenishment transactions."

According to Marotta, "As digital kanban solutions continue to spread throughout the manufacturing industry we are able to draw on the insights and experiences of our clients to enhance the functionality of offerings. We are, in effect, applying the lessons of continuous improvement to our own platform, optimizing Signum and Curator to make Digital Kanban implementation more efficient and effective."

Digital kanban aligns inventory levels with actual consumption; a signal is sent to produce and deliver a new shipment when material is consumed. These signals are tracked through the replenishment cycle and bring extraordinary visibility to suppliers and buyers. Working seamlessly with existing visual board systems, Datacraft Solutions' Digital Kanban solution allows individual cells or entire supply chains to realize an immediate and dramatic return from an extremely small process automation investment, by vastly reducing the management time and information gathering required to monitor, update and transmit card-based replenishment needs.

Datacraft Solutions
www.datacraftsolutions.com
Kelly Pryor
media@datacraftsolutions.com
800-819-5326

About the Author

Scanners Make Great Computer Accessories

Fujitsu fi-6130 Duplex Scanner (PA03540-B055)

Scanners are Great Computer Accessories

Scanners are extremely practical computer accessories. Scanners have been around for many years and have always been popular. Many people love the convenience of scanning documents from paper to their computer, or making a copy of a document from the scanner to the computer to the printer just like a photocopier.

Today scanners are extremely inexpensive but highly reliable. Most scanners are perfect for transferring color photographs into digital photographs. And if you have a large collection of photos then you will definitely want to archive your photos on some kind of digital media. Scanners are also great for craft projects such as scanning in a photo or newspaper articles and creating a scrapbook.

Today's stand alone scanners usually cost anywhere from about $50 to $200 depending on the bells and whistles that are included. There are also scanners that are part of all in one models. These all in one models usually include a computer printer, scanner, copier and sometimes a fax machine. So if you don't have a lot of room in your home or office, these all in one models are extremely practical. So take advantage of the scanner, their uses are endless and they are affordable enough for any home or office.

About the Author

Jay is the web owner of http://www.dsl-in.com DSL, a website that provides information and resources on DSL, DSL Service, and DSL Service Providers. You can also visit his website at: http://www.dsl-service.us DSL Service

Choosing the Right Barcode Scanner; CCD or Laser

Fujitsu fi-6130 Duplex Scanner (PA03540-B055)

Barcode scanners have been on the market for a number of years. You can pay as little as $50 for a scanner up to several thousand depending on durability, scan engine and whether it's laser or CCD. How do you choose what
barcode scanner is right for you?

Laser scanners have typically always been more expensive than CCD scanners. Both have advantages and disadvantages. CCD scanners have no moving parts internal like laser scanners. A CCD can take a drop or resist shock more so than a laser scanner. Laser scanners have oscillating mirrors that are subject to wear and mechanical failure. CCD scanners use LED's for illumination and can last ten times as long as laser scanners. CCD scanners have come a long way. They used to only be able to cast a fixed width wide beam and the operator would have to hold the scanner within touching distance to the label to get the barcode to scan properly. Today, CCD's can scan up to 45 scans per second or faster (depending on the model) which is equiviltent to laser scanners.

Laser scanners are traditional better for long range scanning which isn't always a requirement for people scanning barcodes. I have used both CCD scanners and laser scanners over the years. I would much rather purchase a good CCD scanner knowing that it's going to last me longer and be less resistance to having to repair it from dropping it on my warehouse floor.

There are many manufacturers of barcode scanners on today's market. Some questions to ask yourself are: What type of environment will I be using this scanner (warehouse, office)? What size/symbology of barcode that I will be scanning? Is long range scanning a requirement in your application?

These questions will help determine what barcode scanner is right for you.

About the Author

Brad Hole is President of Eversio Technologies http://www.eversio.com ; a distributor of barcode scanners, printers and media for automated data collection.

Advantages of Using a Dedicated Film Scanner for your Negatives

Fujitsu fi-6130 Duplex Scanner (PA03540-B055)

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Film Scanning has become a necessary piece of equipment for
the digital darkroom that enables the photographer to
continue to shoot pictures the traditional way with film and
slides. The scanner allows you to convert the film to
digital files and take advantage of the use of software
editing, enhnancing and publishing. There are some clear
advantages to using a dedicated film Scanner over a flatbed
scanner when scanning film or slide negative transparencies.
Both a film scanner and flatbed scanner operate using a
light source and sensors that scan through the transparency.
A dedicated film scanner utilizes a transmissive light
source while a flatbed scanner uses a reflective light
source. A transmissive light source is a direct linear light
source that reflects through the transparency. A reflective
light also shines through the transparency, however it is
contained or diffused under the glass bed of the scanner and
relected off another surface. This is the lid or top surface
of the flatbed scanner. The result is greater density and
clarity scanned from the transmissive light from a dedicated
film scanner. Current higher quality flatbed scanners offer
transparency and negative holders and often include an
additional light source on the lid to mimic the transmissive
light. However, the ultimate operation of a flatbed scanner
is still very similar to that of a copy machine. Although
some may see an advantage in the flatbed scanner to scan
batch negatives or slides quickly, the disadvantge becomes
the ability to customize each individual slide or negative
that may have different densities or exposure. With a
dedicated film scanner, you have the ability to expose or
scan each frame at varying degrees of resolutions and
corrections. Most dedicated film scanners also offer the
batch feature as well. Two main components are essential for
a quality scan: resolution and dynamic range. Resolution is
the mesurement of pixels the scanner can capture within the
scan. Dynamic range is the degree of tonality that is
captured within the scan. Most dedicated film scanners offer
dynamic ranges greater than 3.6 with 0, the purest white and
4.0, the deepest black. While flatbed scanners have improved
greatly in the past few years with higher resolutions, you
must be careful on those claiming very high resolutions.
This is often interpolated resolution or in simple terms,
the scanner guesses on the number of pixels rather than
contain the true optical pickup of pixels in the film
scanning process. Author: Kimberly Renter Copyright, 2005
Owner of a Film, Photo and Slde Scanning Service at
http://filmnfile.com This site also offers more scanning
information and a forum to discuss photography.
email at inquiries@filmnfile.com

About the Author

Amateur photographer and owner of a web-based Film, Slide and Photo Scanning Service. Have worked

Getting Looked Over, Without Getting Overlooked: Writing for Scanners and Skimmers

Fujitsu fi-6130 Duplex Scanner (PA03540-B055)
Getting Looked Over, Without Getting Overlooked: Writing for Scanners and Skimmers

 by: Matthew Cobb

* Scanning and Skimming Practices *

Whether you're writing e-mail messages or Web site sales letters, you need to know how to hold the attention of different types of readers. Even the readers that don't actually "read."

Most readers will either scan, skim, or both, especially when reading online or when reading long pieces. Optimizing the writing on your site for those who scan and those who skim isn't extremely difficult, but it does require an attention to detail.

First, let's take a look at what these terms mean.

Scanning--involves looking for particular elements, such as headlines, subheadings, and text that is highlighted, bold-faced, or otherwise emphasized. Scanners read only the elements that "stick out," their eyes moving from one attention-grabbing word or phrase to another.

Skimming--involves looking over the entire page but only superficially, like a speed-reader. Skimmers may see the same elements that scanners do, but they don't focus that much on anything specific for very long. They glance over all of it, just trying to get the basic idea.

Most readers do a combination of scanning and skimming. They might scan a page and find a headline that grabs their attention, then skim the paragraph beneath it. Only when they find something really interesting will they go back and read.

Sometimes, the information in the various headings and emphasized text is all the information a visitor needs. In fact, a visitor to a consumer sales site should conceivably be able to make their entire buying decision based solely on the headlines and emphasized text.

It's important to note that scanning and skimming isn't something that was created by the Web. (It just seems like it sometimes.) Audiences have been skimming newspaper headlines and flipping through TV channels for quite some time now.

* 6 Steps for Writing for Scanners and Skimmers *

In the Information Overload Age, consumers have grown tired of sales hype and marketing fluff. They're already predisposed to skimming and scanning. Short attention spans and a high level of skepticism are becoming a part of their nature.

But all is not lost. Optimizing for scanners and skimmers (and turning them into readers) isn't easy, but you can do it if you take a steady approach and revise carefully. Here's an example of how you can do it:

Step 1) Write out the main points of your sales argument (which some will call a sales "pitch," but since I want to persuade rather than "pitch," I look at this process as a kind of debate...hence, a sales argument.) These main points will be your subheadings. List them as a skeleton outline for your piece, and leave space beneath each.

Step 2) Below each main point, write down the main words and phrases associated with each point in your argument.

Step 3) Start writing the body of the piece. Here, you'll explain everything in full detail. People who read the body of your message want details, so you should provide all the relevant information that you can imagine a potential customer might want to read.

Step 4) Take the words and phrases you generated in Step 2 and thread them throughout the body of the message. Make sure they work within the context of the paragraphs (in other words, don't just throw them in anywhere.) Use bold-facing, italics, underlining, or highlights to draw attention to these words or phrases. (Just don't go overboard... too much emphasis can come off as "salesy", and you'll need to only use as much emphasized text as you think your audience will deem credible. An ad for a luxury car won't use as much emphasized text as a sales letter for the latest mail-order kitchen gizmo.)

Step 5) Look at all you've written and come up with a headline that ties it all together with a strong, unique benefit. The headline should generate curiosity and target a specific audience. Statistics and testimonials generally make strong headlines by getting attention and establishing credibility, which is important for making a connection with your target audience.

Step 6) At this point, you've written your first draft. As you read back through what you have, ask yourself a few questions: Does my headline lead logically to my subheads? Do my subheads lead logically to the emphasized text? Does the emphasized text fit logically into the context of the body? Most importantly, can a visitor make a buying decision based solely on the headings and emphasized text?

Sometimes, you'll find that certain elements no longer fit the original argument. Your approach may change. That's okay. Revise until everything flows together and makes sense during the first reading.

Never be afraid to go back and rewrite. Always use the strongest material, even if that means deleting half of what you've already written. It's the only way to get your best work.

The truth is, most readers won't make it to the body of your message. That's okay--don't expect them to. Not all of them will be right for your offer.

You need be able to get your points across with good headlines, subheadings, and emphasized text. If you can do that, you won't have to be afraid of how--or whether--your visitors actually read the entire page.

About The Author Matthew Cobb is an independent copywriter. Visit www.cobbwriting.com to learn more about his freelance copywriting services or to sign up for his monthly e-publication, The Copy and Content Clinic.

#TITLE#How to make a resume to scanner - 8 tips!#/title#Fujitsu fi-6130 Duplex Scanner (PA03540-B055)

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Word count: 361 with resource box

How to make a resume to scanner - 8 tips!

With the computer science development, companies has
used some types of software for management and resumes
data base.
One of the used ways to place a resume in data base,
received in the traditional printed, sheet of paper, or
either, is through "scanner". The retyping of the
resume is practically extinct for obvious reasons.

Its resume will be able to arrive in the way company
printed matter, through 2 main ways: 1) the company placed
an announcement where its physical address only consists a
post office box; 2) a friend takes it for the company,
as an indication, for example.

The amount of these equipment named scanners is enormous,
as well as software that they follow its. This show
that a company will be able to have the hardware/software
that gives a better or worst resolution that
another. How it would be practically impossible to know the
equipment installed in the companies, the best is to
make it a resume following some general rules:

1)The paper choosing: in this item, the best one to make
is to choose a total white paper. Papers with strong colors
or of recycled material must be prevented.

2) It doesn't send copy: normally when copy of the resume
is taken off, it appear "black points" in the copy and
this will confuse the scanner process.

3) It prevents to fold: the fold of the paper could not be
understood by scanner and will appear risks in the copy.

4) Sources: it prefers to use "sources" with size between
10 and 14 points and of the "arial" or "times new roman"
types. Sources where the letters seem drawn will cause
errors in the reading of
scanner.

5) It prevents to create tables: the columns also cause
problems in the reading.

6) Never it uses symbols: quotations marks, percentage,
special characters, etc. It will not be understood.

7) It prevents the use of markers: in case that you opt
to using its, you must to prefers "solids" or either,
totally full.

8) For the bar splitting "/", it always uses space, so
that it will be understood.

Richard Flink, MS
Director
Advance assessoria
Executive Search / Outplacement
mailto: advance@advanceassessoria.Com.Br
http://www.advanceassessoria.com.br
Subscribe articles and offers: mailto:
advance7@permissionexpress.Com
Copyright Richard Flink 2002

Spy Scanners Dont Compromise your Privacy

Fujitsu fi-6130 Duplex Scanner (PA03540-B055)
Spies, spyware, internet parasites are among what they are usually called. These are scouts that monitor your web activities. The work undercover to check on your surfing patterns, spending habits, items bought, they extract email addresses, hijack browsers, steal credit card information. These are just some of the things a spyware is capable of.

A spyware is mainly an information hungry parasite determined to gather data from a user or surfer without him knowing it.

The information gathered by these parasites are then sent to the originator without the users consent. Most often, the information gathered by the spyware are used to generate ads and pop-ups on the users PC.

Spywares and Adwares aside from being a nuisance and an invasion of privacy can also jeopardize the optimal performance of your PC. They can eat up unused disk spaces and position themselves in an inconspicuous location in your hard drive. They can also eat the bandwidth, crash your system and oftentimes inflict themselves in the Registry or in the memory of your computer.

Spyware and Adwares have become very rampant nowadays. Prevent yourself from being a victim of these by:

Being careful of Freeware and Shareware Downloads

- Some of these downloads are tagged with spywares which may be unknown to the user. Refrain from downloading sharewares and freewares from unknown sources.

Installing a good spyware/adware scanner and removal software

- There are a number of spyware scanner and/or removal softwares in the market today. A good spyware scanner can effectively locate all spywares installed on your PC and a good spyware removal tool can effectively remove all the spywares detected.

Spy Scanners are programs designed to detect spies in your PC. A good spy scanner can effectively search through the most unnoticeable embedded files that spy on you.

Most Spy scanners include a spyware removal function. Other spy scanners do not entail spyware removal features but display the logs of the spyware detected in your PC. The information in the logs contains the location and nature of the spywares.

For spy scanners with no built-in spyware removal functions, a manual deletion of the spyware files could also be done since the location and the file type is specified in the logs. Some Spy scanner products on the market today have spyware scan available for non-paying users and the removal tool available only for paying users.

Spy Scanners when installed can be chosen to run on demand or periodically.