How to Scan Your Documents With Open Source

Sane and XSane are open source document scanning applications available for the Linux and Unix operating system. XSane is the graphical user interface for the Sane utility. The Sane software allows you to save your documents in many formats including .pdf, .jpeg and .tiff. This software also allows you to do complex tasks such as enhancing the document's appearance, sending a fax or email and scanning multiple documents at once. Sane and XSane are installed by default on most major Linux and Unix systems.

Things You'll Need

• Linux or Unix operating system
• XSane

Instructions

Configure the Scanner

1. Plug your scanner into your computer and turn it on.

2. Open a terminal window which will be found under the "Accessories" or "Utilities" section of the main "Applications" menu.

3. Type the command "sane-find-scanner" to allow Sane to determine your scanner specifications.

4. Type the command "exit" to close the terminal window.

Scan Documents

1. Open the XSane application. The XSane application will be found under "Graphics" in the main "Applications" menu.

2. Choose the file type you want to use to save your document from the drop down list next to the word "Type."

3. Click "Scan" to scan your document.

4. View the document in the "Viewer" window that appears to ensure that it has scanned correctly.

5. Click the green "Floppy Disk" icon at the top of the screen to save the file.

Tips & Warnings

• There is a XSane product available for the Windows operating system called XSane-WIN32.

References

• Howard Shane: The Scanner How To
• Xsane: The XSane Manual

Resources

• XSane.org: Xsane Website