Copy Center will scan, fax, or e-mail just about anything that will fit on your scanner. It will work with almost any scanner whether it is a flatbed or sheet fed automatic type. It will scan in one pass and print in the non-preview mode so that you get a copy just as fast a regular copy machine and just a clear. You can also do multiple copies of images that can be sent directly to your printer.

Your scanner can be setup for color, grayscale or black and white with the resolution set to match your printer. All the settings can be overridden from the default one. A smaller resolution scans more quickly then a larger one. All the settings are setup under the Options and you can even tell PC Copy Center to use its Interface instead of the scanner's internal interface.

The Preview mode lets you use the Brightness and Contrast meters to adjust aspects of the displayed image. You can also change the size of the Print area to enlarge or reduce in increments of 5%. You can go forward and backwards through multiple scanned images or clear to remove currently displayed images.

PC Copy Center can start up in your start up menu as you turn on your machine or you can start it up from the menu. It can also be minimized to stay in the background also.

Copy Center can use your Internet E-mail program or MS Mail, Outlook or Exchange to scan and send emails to people in your address book that comes with the program. You enter your e-mail address say use Default Mail Server and the scan will use your program. You should only have to change it if you install something different after the program has been installed. When an e-mail is sent, the scanned image (or images) are automatically converted to JPG files. This will compress a large 8.5 x 14 scan to about 70 KB depending on the DPI (dots per inch) of the scan. The person you are sending this file will be able to read in a browser or imaging software to view the JPEG. This compression only affects scans that have been emailed within PC Copy Center. It has no effect on scan s that are "save as" using the right mouse click.

The number of scans is unlimited. There is limit to number of scans you can store based on your system resources. An average system with 16 MB RAM and 200 MG disk space can store 1 full page at 1000 dpi. In the same aspect a dozen or more scans can be stored at 100 dpi. The higher the resources (RAM and disk space) the more scan you can store.

Faxing can be done in almost the same manner. You tell the machine how many copies to make, click fax and you pick your default fax program, like Winfax, then click OK, the scanner takes the image and then it is sent via fax to whomever you want. You can also tell the printer to print out a copy as you are faxing in the Options area. You can also date stamp, or clear after printing. The image can be centered on the page also. You should setup the Options well in advance of using the program so that everything is setup.

Internet links come with Copy Center so that you use Screen Shot, Parson's Home Page, Broderbund's Home Page, Print Shop, and Family Tree Maker home pages. Having these links makes it easy to make sure you also get the help and support you need for the program.

The system requirements are 486 or higher with 16 MB RAM or higher, Windows 95/98 or NT 4.0 or higher, 256 color or higher a mouse, a color printer and of course a scanner. The better your system the better the scans or copies will be.

Parson's sells this program for $29.95, but you can sometimes get it for a lower price especially if you are a frequent buyer and get the coupons for $10.00 off. Shop on the Internet at the Parson's online store through Mattel and see if there are any bargains also.

All in all this one program that is a must. It has really saved me money by not having to go to the local copy shop to make copies of documents. It also has saved me from having to buy a fax machine. I just click on fax and let it fax the document that I need to fax away. I can also receive faxes in one program print it out and then sign and fax back through PC Copy Center. All my office needs are in one little program.

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