Comments on: Scanning documents to reduce paper clutter

By: Ask Unclutterer: Organizing child-related documents | Unclutterer

Ask Unclutterer: Organizing child-related documents | Unclutterer — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:31:30 +0000

[...] Scanning documents to reduce paper clutter [...]

By: Paper file organization systems | Unclutterer

Paper file organization systems | Unclutterer — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:44:15 +0000

[...] Scanning documents to reduce paper clutter [...]

By: Máirín Duffy: How to set up the Canon Pixma MX860 with Fedora | Full-Linux.com

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:01:18 +0000

[...] want to keep some record of with a typical flatbed scanner is time-consuming and not exactly fun. Erin suggests using an ADF (Auto-Document Feeder) scanner like the Fujitsu ScanSnap – problem is, for $1100+ I’d be substantially towards my way at buying another car. Does the [...]

By: How to set up the Canon Pixma MX860 wih Fedora « Máirín Duffy

How to set up the Canon Pixma MX860 wih Fedora « Máirín Duffy — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:23:03 +0000

By: Mai George

Mai George — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 21:13:44 +0000

I would like to keep inspirational articles/info handy and accessible when I’m away from home.
I take down notes on inspirational info gleaned from church sermons, newsletters, newspaper/mag articles,
tv interviews,etc. I compile them into a binder. However, that’s good organization but doesn’t help at all when I’m in conversation with an old friend and want to discuss something. Or when I’m out and about; at the laundry, visiting a sick friend, grocery shopping, etc., I’m certainly not hauling around the binder.
We can only remember so much at one time.
Also,in places such as public transit or laundries, there’s no computer access; (ie flash drive access.
Any ideas on how I can keep this info more handy, maybe in my purse, without bulky paper or binders?
Please help! Mai

By: Creating a plan to achieve your 2010 resolutions | Unclutterer

Creating a plan to achieve your 2010 resolutions | Unclutterer — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:09:33 +0000

[...] Scanning documents to reduce paper clutter [...]

By: Lee

Lee — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:53:20 +0000

There are companies that will scan docs for you (for about a penny a page-ish) and, if you like, rename/categorize the scans based on info you want. (Of course if like files are together anyway you can do this part yourself). I work for a company like this – and this is not an ad! Just fyi… I keep meaning to send my own boxes in but have yet to do it.

By: Cathy

Cathy — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:25:55 +0000

I have a very hard time understanding why it is necessary to take the extra time and resources to scan in documents. Not to mention there is still a very gray area about what the irs requires when it come to digital record keeping.

A good filing system works. One small box will hold more than a year of everyday papers. Another small secure box will hold all the essential tax and vital documents for as long as you need them. It takes far less time to file than to scan and organize digital files. If there not vital to keep in paper form, why keep them at all? Digital or otherwise.

It’s all about maintenance with either system.

I think its great if the digital direction works for you. If you are motivated to scan, categorize and toss. Great. For me, I like to file and toss. Less work. Less energy. Easier to find. It is just important to know your style and your motivation.

By: Gayle White-Malloy

Gayle White-Malloy — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:25:38 +0000

Hello, we are quite pleased to see the great response and endorsement for ScanSnap. Our company Dovetail Inc. has just partnered with Fitjitsu and their ScanSnap community to offer a 50% discount to ScanSnap customers when they purchase a dovetail organizer from our online store at http://www.dovetailorganizer.com. I understand you have blogged about our product and we are delighted you see it as a fit with individuals wanting to organize and find a digital way to store their vital I.D. and documents securely and to be easily accessible for any what if life event. I wonder if you would like to have a dovetail organizer sent to you for a product review?
Love your blog.
Best Regards, Gayle from Dovetail Inc.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 01:23:49 +0000

I tried to go paperless nearly a decade and a half ago (really!). I started with all-in-one scan/print/fax machines – they seemed like a good way to save space and simplify life. But the real truth is: unless they cost $1000 or more, they are simply not up to the amount of work you’ll put them to if you’re scanning all your paper. They jam a lot. You have to feed paper through twice if it’s printed on both sides. I went through 2 or 3 of them before wising up and getting a ScanSnap and a simple duplexing laser printer.

I’m **very** glad I did. The ScnaSnap just works. It’s reliable. Mine is now around 6 years old and still works like a champ. Replacement parts are available if needed, even!

If you are still on the fence about getting a ScanSnap (which I was for quite some time): stop debating and just go for it. I rarely stop to think about it, but when I do, i realize that secondary to my computer itself, this is the best tech purchase I’ve made!

By: Curt

Curt — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 04:59:45 +0000

I love the ScanSnap S300 for it’s portability, duplex, color, etc. I actually have purchased these for 3 of my employees because we save so much time by being able to scan documents quickly to e-mail. While I still use my Hon file cabinets for reference filing, I do occasionally archive something electronic especially if I think I’ll need it while on the go.

By: Wenda Rogers

Wenda Rogers — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 05:22:00 +0000

I purchased the NeatDesk Scanner back in January and it was well worth its $500 price tag,I drop all my receipts in it and they scan (OCR), plus the Neatreceipts program pulls the data from the documents. It identifies the date, amount, store, vendor, etc. and then categorizes all my receipts automatically. All I have to do is print my reports and import them into QuickBooks and my taxes are basically done.

It also scans business cards and does the same thing with the data, then categorizes and saves them in my Outlook program based on my categories. I can scan any other full size paper document, tell it what folder on my PC to save to and it turns into a searchable PDF and files it away.

The auto categorizing and report creation of my bills, client invoices, business and personal financials has made this machine invaluable in my home office. I attend many real estate workshops and seminars and come home with piles of business cards. If I calculate my hourly rate times the amount of hours I would still be spending to manually add those contacts it far outweighs the cost of the scanner.

I didn’t even touch on the time I save for my clients with the scanner. Real Estate Professionals need an accurate and updated database, which is one of the services that I provide for several clients. I save them tons of money because I don’t have to hand enter their new contacts.

It’s been one of the best investments that I have
made.

By: Plastic Druid

Plastic Druid — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:05:41 +0000

That sounds like a great idea. I’m getting one. Remember to make back ups of your hard disks regularly, otherwise one day you’re going to lose the lot.

By: Sooz

Sooz — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:15:48 +0000

We just got a Fujitsu ScanSnap S1500 and WOW, what a great way to deal with paper clutter! We finally have a hope of getting out from under 30+ years of paper. We are scanning & then shredding most originals, except for those items that MUST be kept, and backing up our computer to an outside backup service (Mozy). We paid $419 for the ScanSnap & it’s some of the best money we’ve ever spent.

By: Another Deb

Another Deb — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:40:47 +0000

I am so happy with my ScanSnap! I’ve been storing teaching materials into 3 and 4 inch binders, and since I never know what subject I may need to cover in the future (perhaps at the drop of a hat), I am reluctant to discard 20+ years’ worth of materials I have developed.

This month I began the process of turning 25 packed binders into PDF’s. So far I’ve converted 5 linear feet of paperwork using my ScanSnap. In about an hour, I can remove staples and paper clips, feed the scanner, and replace the paperwork in the 4 inch binder. This has been about ten thousand pages, double sided, so far. The scanner has run like a champ, even scanning those filmy transparencies!

You do have to remove the staples and make sure nothing is folded, like a brochure, or the feed will jam. Jams are super easy to take care of but it interrupts the “flow”.

I am not yet tossing the hard copies. They will now live in the classroom for use by other people in the department.