Software help

[CupOJoe]

I have been reading Internet page after page trying to answer this question, but have had no success. Then it hit me: if anyone would know, =JHF= certainly would. Here goes:

I'm looking for a simple and cost effective software solution that would allow me to categorize and sort scanned magazine articles. I would like to be able to scan an image, name it summin' like scan1.pdf and then enter scan1.pdf into the software program in question along with items that would describe it such as "OS shortcuts" or "OS tricks" or "interesting new software".

I wold then like to be able to search based on the descriptive criteria and, once I have found the image in question, be able to view it from within the program itself - summin' like attaching the image to the record entry.

Does this make sense?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

CuJo

[=JHF= Smoke]

any reason that is has to be pdf?  i think it would be cheaper to just scan it in as a picture, like jpg, or something, and just use some sort of photo organizer, that im sure you could find for free somewhere.
keep in mind, you can tag your photos in windows and add keywords, and other items in a file's properties tab.  You have a mac?? i think?? im sure it has the same thing.

i will keep looking...

[CupOJoe]

Thanks for the input, Smoke. Re: the PDF thing - that's the file default for my printer/fax/scanner combo unit but I bet I could change it. Yes, I have a Mac, but still have the PC as well,so I could go either way. Never thought about the iPhoto option, so that was a great suggestion (and the most cost effective since I already have it)! I may give that a whirl and see if it does what I want.

[=JHF= OBMer]

A long time ago (i.e. over 10 years ago) I used a product called Paperport.  It was an application that allowed you to scan in images, articles, whatever and would then allow you to categorize them on your computer.  You could collate objects together, label them into workspaces and lable the workspaces into folders, inside the applicaiton - all proprietary.  You could also do OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to convert from image to text.  It was an excellent product.

HOWEVER, researching that now, it would appear that a company bought paperport and just ruined it.  Look for reviews of the product.  The reviews for the latest version do not appear good at all.  I never had problems with it years ago, but it was also, quite basic.  They have probably added so many features to it now that it may not perform as good as it used to.

At any rate, that might be a direction to go in.

OB

[w4j_disciple™]

If I am understanding you correctly...

Maybe something like this could help:
http://www.cafescribe.com/more/pdf-management.php or http://www.newfreedownloads.com/find/pdf-organizer.html or http://pdf-organizer.easy-to-use-solutions.com/.

Google pdf organizer and you will find a lot of stuff.

[=JHF= JimmyT (CDN)]

iTunes.

Yes, I know that sounds quite crazy... but it works. 

http://lifehacker.com/software/pdf/geek-to-live--organize-your-pdf-library-with-itunes-240447.php

Free.  You already have it on both mac and PC quite likely....  and it works.  I THINK thats all your requirements...  if not I'll keep looking.

-- JT

[=JHF= OBMer]

I HATE iTunes.

OB

[=JHF= Smoke]

you know, i like itunes alot, but i have one really big peeve with it....it won't automatically update your library when you move stuff around on your computer, or it doesn't even know when you add the same song twice, not to add it.  this might sound trivial, but when you have to manage a very large library, it can be a bit tedious going through and picking those little things out.

[=JHF= JimmyT (CDN)]

I agree, but I've always used itunes for my music and just ignore the overall library completely.  The files are well organized on my 2nd HD and I then just fill the playlists as I desire.  I do wish there was a way to go through and remove duplicates though - esp on the ipod.  iTunes is just a database really, but I was still surprised to learn that people would manage files like pdfs in it.  Just don't add duplicates!   

-- JT

[CupOJoe]

Wow, JT, now that was an interesting article. iTunes already rocks in my book (except for some minor annoyances dealing with more than 1 iPod and separate libraries), now I'll have to see if it meets this need as well.

Can't help but to plug the newest big cat being let out of the cage:

http://www.apple.com

Gotta get me some o that Time Machine and dem Spaces.

[Hans Blix]

Can't help but to plug the newest big cat being let out of the cage:

http://www.apple.com

Gotta get me some o that Time Machine and dem Spaces.

Not applicable to the topic at hand, but I will add that Leopard is super cool. Spaces? Cool. Time machine? Also cool. Mail is cooler than it was. Oh, oh, and Quick Look, though not exactly groundbreaking, is waaaaaay.... coooooonvenient.

[=JHF= HaveSocks]

Its priced better than Vista, I'll give it that.  But, its still a Mac

[=JHF= JimmyT (CDN)]

Its priced better than Vista

Muffins and the supermarket are priced better than Vista.   

(I don't know what that means either) 

I'll upgrade to Leopard soon, but running a G5 PPC, and one I use sparingly, it won't be just yet.  My friend upgraded on his macbook though, so I'll get to play with it.  Wonder how long until Microsoft releases an OS that people line up to buy, and talk excitedly about for weeks after buying it?   

-- JT

[=JHF= Smoke]

how soon ye forget about the fiasco that was windows 95? i remeber lines at the stores for that one....and people are STILL talking about it!

[=JHF= Smoke]

btw, check this out...
http://dailyapps.net/2007/10/hack-attack-install-leopard-on-your-pc-in-3-easy-steps/