Patti,
That isn't stupid. I do have a quite good spacial sense, but setting
margins sounds tricky to me. The thing is that Kurzweil has a setting that
will automatically set the margins correctly, so a scanner doesn't have to
guess. I don't know if Open Book has that feature. It sounds like Pratik
is going to investigate the settings for margins in Open Book and report,
so then maybe you will get some needed answers.
I know you have been frustrated with books you have submitted being
rejected. I think you will find that happens far less often when you get
the hang of holding down the books you scan. I find the most important
factor in my comfort while scanning is to have the scanner at the right
height. I stand while scanning so I can easily put enough pressure on the
book. If you need to sit while scanning you will have to have the scanner
on a very low table or desk or you will strain all of your upper body and
maybe your arms. If you have an office chair with height adjustment you
might be able to get it high enough to sit comfortably. It also helps to
have the scanner very close to you, and directly in front. That way you
don't have to do awkward reaching. Experiment with putting the book along
the top of the scanner and along a side and see which is most comfortable
for you. Remember to adjust the setting accordingly if orientation isn't
set to automatic.
Sometimes I hold down the binding with one hand, sometimes with both hands.
Changing the way you place your arms and hands often can reduce discomfort.
If you don't have to bend over too far you can place your arm along the
spine to hold it down when your hands need a rest. I even find that some
books can be held down well enough by placing a hand on either side of the
book, which can feel more natural.
What ever method you use, just check the results every once in a while to
make sure your method is resulting in scans without missing words or parts
of words. I usually try to ask someone sighted how close the text is in
the binding to judge how much pressing is required. With practice you will
learn to look at the top and bottom of the book at the binding to see how
much room there is between the crack of the binding and the scanner bed and
from that judge wether the pressure you are applying with your other hand
is probably sufficient. If it is a big fat hardcover with large margins
you can get away with a space a finger can fit in, but you'll find that
most books need to be a bit more firmly pressed down. Exercise the binding
before you start to scan. You can do that by flipping through the book a
few pages at a time first front to back and then back to front and pressing
firmly in the center of the book. Since that can be done while the book
sits in your lap you will be able to press it more easily than if it was
upsidedown on the scanner. Doing that really improves the scan as well as
reducing the strain on your body.
I hope some of these tips help a little.
Scanning can be hard work, but I certainly consider it better than doing
things like washing dishes and cleaning. You may strain your back and arms
a little just as you do when cleaning, but you don't have to get dirty, the
results are far more interesting, and it won't degrade to something that's
a gross mess by the time your work is next examined. LOL
Sarah Van Oosterwijck
Assistive Technology Trainer
http://home.earthlink.net/~netentity
