• Redeveloped recognition engines make OmniPage more accurate.

• Improved page layout will allow you to retain formatting true to the original.

• New IntelliTrain automatically uses previous corrections to generate better OCR.

• You can import PDF files and convert them to your favorite program files and you can also create PDF files from any paper or image files.

• New WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get) HTML output will handle graphics, text and backgrounds to keep web output looking like original.

• OmniPage supports over 100 languages and extends to the Greek and Cyrillic alphabets.

• The Details View now provides more customizable information about each page for easier handling.

• Text Editor now is fully WYSIWYG for recognition results with a wide range of editing tools, color support and four formatting levels for display and export.

• A new despeckle module reduces errors on spotty, shaded and color backgrounds.

If you have to handle lots of business letters or prepare reports from data and other sources, then chances are you will be scanning lots of the time instead of painstakingly retyping them in to the computer. To put those pages of information in a readable formation, output so others can read and understand what you have done, you need to have a good scanner and an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) program. OmniPage has been one of the leading products out for several years, but more recently it has been improved and will handle most any job you have available.

OmniPage will work with a wide range of scanners. On the CD is a list of all the scanners it supports. Also on ScanSoft's website is a listing at www.scansoft.com. Also the CD has help files, readme files that offer lots of information. On ScanSoft's website is a Tech Notes section that will address reported issues and offers installation and troubleshooting help.

File types for saving recognition to are:

ASCII text	.txt/.csv
Adobe PDF, normal, with subs, with image on text, and image only	.pdf
Excel (3.0 to 7.0, 97, 2000)	.xls
Framemaker	.mif
Lotus Freelance Graphics	.txt
Harvard Graphics	.txt
HTML (3.2 to 4.0)	.htm
PowerPoint 97	.rtf
MS Publisher 98	.rtf
Word for Windows (6.0, 97, 2000)	.doc
Quattro Pro for Windows 4.0, 8	.xls
RTF 6.0, 95	.rft
Unicode text	.txt/csv
Ventura Publisher	.doc
WordPad	.rtf
WordPerfect (5.1,5.2, 6.0, 6.1, 8)	.wpd
OmniPage Doc	.opd

Image File types supported are:

The system requirements for this program are:

• A Pentium or higher processor
• Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000 or NT 4.0
• 32 MB RAM but 64 MB recommended (higher if possible)
• 75 MB hard disk space plus 10 MB working space during installation
• 9 MB for Microsoft Installer if not present, 44 MB for Internet Explorer if not installed
• SVGA monitor with 256 colors and 800 x 600 pixel resolution
• A compatible pointing device
• CD-ROM drive for installing software
• A compatible scanner

Performance and speed will be enhanced if your computer's processor, memory and disk space exceed minimum requirements. The more the better as they say.

Once the software has been installed, The Scanner Wizard will help you setup your scanner and you will be on your way to scanning your documents. You should remember to register the software to able to get updates and information also.

The User's Manual has a wealth of information. There is a Tutorial section that has shown to be very helpful in getting started for first time users. The Tutorial will lead you step-by-step on how to use the software and get perfect results each time.

There are notes and tips sections throughout the whole manual.It is organized very well. It has 92 pages and so it isn't long. There are not a lot diagrams, but those that are in the manual are good.

Several of the basic processing steps are:

1. Bring a set of images into OmniPage by scanning.
2. Perform OCR to generate editable text and create zones.
3. Export the document to the desired location.
4. Proofing.

These steps and others are covered in the manual. There is also a Quick Start Guide that will help you get going. It will show "What you do" and then "What happens" in a diagram that works out great. You can also the OCR Wizard to get your documents handled. You can also use OmniPage with PaperPort software and several packages.

OmniPage can be purchased directly from ScanSoft or at your local computer store. It is an expensive package, but worth the money if you use your scanner for documents a lot. The cost is $499.99 for full version or $149.99 for the upgrade.If you are upgrading from a previous version or another OCR program, I would suggest contacting ScanSoft directly and see what they will do to help you with pricing. If you would like more information from me, please feel free to email me at: sbreynolds@att.net.

For more information on the Tulsa Computer Society click here