Re: [gentoo-user] Scanners, sane and driver support question

["J. Roeleveld" <joost@antarean.org>]

On Sunday, November 11, 2018 11:07:23 PM CET Dale wrote:
> Wol's lists wrote:
> > On 11/11/2018 14:29, Dale wrote:
> >> Thanks for the info.  I figured someone may have a little better idea on
> >> this.  After some more digging, I found a ScanJet 4570C which is
> >> actually a little better than the others I was looking at.  So, I bought
> >> it.  It shows complete but appears to be still maintained.
> > 
> > I've got an HP MFP 477 (not cheap - nigh on £400), but it has what I
> > call "push scanning". Configure samba, point the printer at it, and
> > when you hit "scan" it dumps a pdf, or jpeg, or whatever, in the samba
> > folder you told it to.
> > 
> > Cheers,
> > Wol
> 
> I thought about a all-in-one approach, since I need a printer too. 
> Thing is, printers seems to break a lot.  The cheapos may last a few
> years, from past experience, but die shortly after the warranty does. 

I have the same experience, when using ink-based printers. My current 
Laserprinter doesn't seem to want to die.

> So, I wanted a stand alone scanner that I hope will last me a long
> time.  Plus, this scanner can do negatives and such with a adapter which
> I can get later.

I tried that once, the quality of the results was really bad. I ended up 
borrowing a proper negative-scanner from a colleague. That was a windows-only 
one, but the quality of the scans more than made up for having to use that. 
(And using VirtualBox, I got better performance, eg. scanspeed, than when 
using windows native)

> Also, I plan to get a color laser printer later on. 
> From what I've read, they can last for many years and it's cheaper for
> the toner than all those cartridges etc for ink jets. 

I got a colour laser all-in-one, it's nearly 8 years old and not had any 
problems with it. Would like to replace it for a double-sided (print and scan) 
version though.

> Now if someone local wanted to give me something that is like a fancy
> copy machine that prints, scans and maybe even washes dishes, I'd take
> it.  I'm not sure where I would put it but still.  ;-)

Try old office buildings, they do remove them as cost-saving exercises on 
occasion, you might be able to pick one up? (you do have a big car/van/truck 
to move it?)

> One thing I've figured out.  Cheaper on the front end, pay for it on the
> backend.  Pay a little more on the front end, more dependable and
> cheaper later on consumables.  Hey, at least I'm figuring it out.  lol

It's a hard lesson to learn, but once learned, it sticks. :)

--
Joost

PS. glad your mom is doing fine