Computer Hardware:
     • Tools, Static & Cleaning
     • Form Factor
     • PC Case & Fans
     • Motherboard
     • Processor (CPU)
     • Power Supply Unit
     • RAM
     • Hard Drive
     • Solid State Drive
     • Optical Drive
     • Floppy Disk Drive
     • Graphics Card
     • Sound Card
     • Network Card
     • Computer Monitor
     • Keyboard & Mouse
     • Laptop / Netbook
     • Building a Computer
     • Overclocking

Operating System & Backup:
     • Operating System
     • Drivers
     • Windows Tools
     • User Accounts
     • Backup
     • Windows 10

Internet & Network:
     • Internet
     • Wi-fi or Cable
     • Improve Broadband Speed
     • Network Computers

Computer Peripherals:
     • Printer
     • Scanner
     • External Hard Drive
     • USB Flash Drive

Computer Security:
     • Anti-virus
     • Anti-Spyware
     • Phishing
     • Firewall

Common PC Problems:
     • Slow Computer
     • Hardware Failure
     • Software Failure
     • Printing Problems

Miscellaneous:
     • Windows Shortcuts
     • Glossary of Terms
     • HTML Colour Picker
     • Number Base Converter

Image Scanners

An Image Scanner is a device used to transfer images or text into a computer. You can scan documents, or photographic prints and convert them to digital images which can be read by a computer.

You can buy a Flatbed Scanner that provides a flat, glass surface that holds pages of text or a photograph which is scanned by moving a scan head across the page, or a Scanner for scanning photographic slides or negatives. You can also buy a Handheld Scanner which allows you to move the scanner over a photograph or document to digitize into a format that your computer can read.
Flatbed Scanner.

Photographs

If you have a collection of photographic prints, slides, or even negatives then you can digitize them and store them on a computer. They can be scanned at various resolutions and sizes and once on the computer they can be manipulated using graphics software if required.

This is a good way to backup your original photographs as once they are digitized then the image will no longer deteriorate. You can also copy and send your photos to friends and family.

Documents

Documents can be scanned into your computer to back them up or so that you can print out several copies. Many scanners also include OCR (Optical Character Recognition) which will read the document and convert the text image into ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) so that a computer can manipulate it as text rather than just an image.

Image Scanner Features

Resolution - The higher the resolution then the better it will scan photographs. Documents generally do not require a very high resolution.

Automatic Feeder - An automatic feeder can hold several documents automatically without you having to be there.

Paper Size - You can get A4 or a larger A3 Scanner for scanning larger documents/photos.

Duplexing - Some scanners can scan both sides of the document at the same time, which can save time.

Size - Flatbed Scanners are quite big and bulky while Hand Scanners are much more portable.

OCR - Some Scanners can convert a document's text image into ASCII which can be read by a computer.

Connection - An Image Scanner usually connects to a computer using a USB cable (like a Printer), but some will also connect to a network.

Driver - Image Scanners should include a driver so that it will work with most common operating systems.

Software - Your Scanner may also include some software for scanning at various resolutions, colour depths, sizes etc, or you can usually use graphics software such as 'Photoshop' which can import a scanned image using 'TWAIN'.

MENU (Scanners):
1. Image Scanners