FIGURE 3-5 The Hewlett-Packard website FIGURE 3-6 The Visioneer website Link to customer service Link to technical support CHAPTER 3: Selecting the Right Scanner 59 3 Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. For example, as of the writing of this book, I found a scanner with 600×1200 dpi optical resolution and a 30-bit depth for only $50. The Overstock.com site, shown in Figure 3-7, offers good service as well. You have access to customer support, both by telephone and email. There’s also a fairly liberal return policy. FIGURE 3-7 The Overstock.com website is for bargain hunters. 60 How to Do Everything with Your Scanner Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. Precaution: Check the Service Record of the Online Vendor When shopping on line, you can find out about the service and privacy reputation of the online vendor. The Gomez.com website, at www.gomez.com, shown in Figure 3-8, provides a consumer rating service for online vendors. The supplier sites are evaluated based on customer support and service, reliability, and adherence to privacy standards for your credit-card information. FIGURE 3-8 Gomez rates online computer vendors for consumers. CHAPTER 3: Selecting the Right Scanner 61 3 Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. Gomez also certifies online vendors that meet the minimum performance stan- dards it has set, as shown in Figure 3-8. Buying a Scanner in Person After you’ve exhausted the Internet resources in your scanner search, you’re faced with the decision of whether go one step further and order your scanner with a click of your mouse. It’s certainly convenient to do so, but actually visiting an office equipment store and making your purchase in person offers several advantages: Savings on shipping costs Most vendors charge separately for shipping, so you have to factor in the added cost when comparison-shopping. Overnight or next-day freight can be downright pricey—as much as $30.00. Ease of testing This is a definite advantage, and you should be prepared to avail yourself of it by bringing a few photos. Immediate delivery No waiting for the delivery. You can drive off with your new purchase in your trunk. Returns are easier Most people are more comfortable taking a defective product back to the store for immediate credit rather than shipping it back and waiting for credit. Narrowing Down the Choices This chapter helped you assess your scanning needs and identify the features in a scanner that might help you accomplish them. You also learned which scanner infor- mation and specifications to compare, and some websites that can save you research time in doing so. You even learned how to test a sample scanner in the store, and where to go on the Web to look for a bargain if you choose to order one on line. The next chapter helps you become familiar with the operation of your scanner once you’ve purchased it. 62 How to Do Everything with Your Scanner Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. Test a Scanner Many of the larger office equipment and supply stores have scanners on their sales floor that they invite you to test before making a purchase. Usually, the manufacturer provides a test shot for you to scan, but I suggest you bring your own photo. Select a test shot with people in it. Skin tones are hardest to replicate accurately. Scanning skin tones allows you to see the relative color depth capacities of different scanners, since a hint of green or a yellow tinge on a person’s face is pretty noticeable. You should also look at the light and dark areas of the picture. Do these areas retain their detail, or do they appear to be a single shade? Generally, the higher the color depth, the more detail you retain in the light and dark areas of the photo. Scanner speed is another issue. Speed specifications usually aren’t provided by the manufacturer. Store testing allows you the opportunity to pit two scanners on your short list in an actual race to see which offers you a faster scan. Some Scanners Have Memory Card Readers for Digital Camera Photos Have you ever thought, “Wouldn’t it be great if I had a single way to get my scanned and digital camera photos into the computer?” One leading manufacturer, Visioneer, has recently introduced the first scanner with built-in CompactFlash and SmartMedia high-speed memory card readers. (A memory card stores photos from a digital camera or other device and can store a lot more high-resolution photos than an ordinary floppy disk). The new Visioneer PhotoPort 7700 USB scanner transfers images up to 40 times faster than serial Continued on next page CHAPTER 3: Selecting the Right Scanner 63 3 Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. . bargain if you choose to order one on line. The next chapter helps you become familiar with the operation of your scanner once you’ve purchased it. 62 How to Do Everything with Your Scanner Please. policy. FIGURE 3-7 The Overstock.com website is for bargain hunters. 60 How to Do Everything with Your Scanner Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. Precaution:. shot for you to scan, but I suggest you bring your own photo. Select a test shot with people in it. Skin tones are hardest to replicate accurately. Scanning skin tones allows you to see the relative