Hewlett-Packard Official Scanner Handbook, 2nd Edition

The features and capabilities of various scanners are examined in language the layperson can understand. Even though the book mentions only HP hardware products by name, much of the advice presented applies just as well to other manufacturers' products.

A segment of the book tackles the question, "What do we do now?" It contains ideas for a series of scanner projects, including custom paperweights, mobiles, greeting cards, T-shirts, and tons more. These are real scissors-and-glue craft projects (with scanners and printers thrown into the mix) that would suit any adult-and-kid duo perfectly on the proverbial rainy day. --David Wall

Book Description
With more than 40 step-by-step projects covering a wide range of activities for both home and business, this engaging guide will help you produce distinctive documents and designs, showing you throughout how to use your scanner more efficiently-and always more creatively. While scanners are relatively easy to use, the more you know, the more you can do with them.

Although Hewlett-Packard products are used for examples throughout the book, The Hewlett-Packard Official Scanner Handbook covers scanning issues that are virtually the same no matter what scanner you own, such as installation, optimization, and resolution issues.

This book is the best general guide to scanning that I've seen, with lots of information on how scanners work, how to choose the best resolution, and how to get the best scans, and other essential information. Then, the last half of the book shows you lots of fun things you can do with a scanner, with a nice collection of easy projects. I recommend this book for beginners who want to understand scanning, and more advanced users who want a little more depth of coverage and a resource of ideas and applications. Good job, authors!


Nowhere near the best I've read on scanning   July 11, 2002
 3 out of 8 found this review helpful

This book is limited in scope, with little coverage of image editing. Frankly, any book on scanning worth buying is going to go into detail about editing scanned images, so it had better have more information than I found here. Why should I buy another book to find out how to take care of common tasks? I'm using my scanner for work, and trying to converse intelligently with graphics professionals, and there's not much to go on here.

Although this book is supposed to be for all scanner types, it really centers completely on HP scanners (and programs, and printers, and paper, etc). Since HP no longer owns the lion's share of the market, this is very disappointing. Discussion of other programs related to scanning are nowhere to be found. Thanks HP, but no thanks. I don't have the proprietary software used in this book, so how about a book that uses Photoshop Essentials?

The information I wanted just wasn't in this book. It's not well-rounded, and concentrates far too much on making "interesting things." Someone else may need napkin rings, but I want to find out how to perfect my scanned images. This is NOT a solid background in scanning, and unlike the editorial review, I am not a "adult-and-kid duo" on the proverbial rainy day.


Finally, a comprehensive, easy-to-understand scanner book!   March 26, 2002
 8 out of 9 found this review helpful

The best thing about this book is what it covers: a solid grounding in how scanners work, how to choose resolution, how to get the best scans, and what all the confusing terminology means. The second-best thing about this book is what it *doesn't* cover; namely topics only peripherally related to scanners that are covered thoroughly in other books. If I want a Photoshop book or PaintShop Pro book, I'll buy one. If I want to know how to set up my Epson scanner, I'll read the manual that came with it.

The true value of this handbook is that it *doesn't* cover what is included in the owner's pamphlet that came with your scanner. Instead, it goes beyond those basics to give you a solid background in scanning that applies to any scanner model, and some interesting things to do with your scanner that will help you build your scanning skills quickly. HP has done a real service to scanner owners everywhere in publishing this book.


To be honest, this book belongs in the Round File!   December 19, 2001
 6 out of 12 found this review helpful

I own a shelf full of computer books, and they vary in worth. Until now, however, I've never bought a book so simplistic and remedial! The authors basically turn the highly complex topic of scanning into some kind of arts and crafts handbook, with a pitifully-small amount of actual coverage of installing and using your scanner. (What do I set, and under what conditions? How do I use effects and troubleshoot problems? Who is supposed to be installing this thing? The authors seem to feel that you're going to hire someone to set up your scanner, because they sure don't tell you anything. What about real software that doesn't ship with an HP scanner? I have an Epson, and I didn't find ANYTHING about Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro in here!)

You could basically learn what's in this book by reading the owner's pamphlet that comes with your scanner (and perhaps opening up a Girl Scout crafts book). I suggest you do exactly that, and spend your money on a book written about the scanner and not a bunch of silly projects.


Review by Scanning Basics Teacher   June 15, 2000
 29 out of 30 found this review helpful

The first half of this book covers the same information I teach during the first half of my 3 hour scanning class at a local community college. The book provides troubleshooting info (I get many such questions) and basic scanning facts. It is geared to the type of students my class draws, rather than the graphic artist. The projects in the second half of the book, however, are not especially useful to the real estate agent and other small business person or librarians and geneologists who need specific information on working with old photos.