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What is the best free OCR software?
Posted: 22 May 2018, 10:05
by BillGill
Backstory: I am planning on taking my scanner to the Tulsa Maker Faire in late August. Here at home I use my desk top computer with ABBYY Fine Reader to convert my scans to text. However, I will be taking my lap top to the Faire, and I don't want to buy Fine Reader for the small amount of time I will be using it. So I need a good free OCR program. I currently have FreeOCR on the laptop and it works, but I would like to do the demonstrations with the best free software available. Any body got any good suggestions?
Thanks in advance, I figure I will get some good advice.
Bill
Re: What is the best free OCR software?
Posted: 22 May 2018, 16:36
by cday
BillGill wrote: ↑22 May 2018, 10:05
Backstory: I am planning on taking my scanner to the Tulsa Maker Faire in late August. Here at home I use my desk top computer with ABBYY Fine Reader to convert my scans to text. However, I will be taking my lap top to the Faire, and I don't want to buy Fine Reader for the small amount of time I will be using it. So I need a good free OCR program. I currently have FreeOCR on the laptop and it works, but I would like to do the demonstrations with the best free software available. Any body got any good suggestions?
Thanks in advance, I figure I will get some good advice.
Bill
Have you checked the ABBYY FineReader licence?
I'm sure it used to allow installation on two devices, when people commonly had a desktop and a laptop, but that may not still be the case.
Alternatively, you might be able to temporarily uninstall it on your desktop, and then install it temporarily on your laptop, a bit of a pain perhaps but possibly a solution?
Re: What is the best free OCR software?
Posted: 22 May 2018, 17:50
by BruceG
Bill
The trial version of ABBYY Finereader should do. There a limit of three pages but that should be OK for the fair.
Re: What is the best free OCR software?
Posted: 22 May 2018, 18:29
by BillGill
I'd rather show a free OCR package. I want to show people that they can get started without a large outlay. I am even planning to build a cardboard scanner, with a phone for a camera, just to show how simply you can get started.
Bill
Re: What is the best free OCR software?
Posted: 22 May 2018, 19:37
by b0bcat
viewtopic.php?f=19&t=2759
"DRAFT MUG's GUIDE: Converting old books to PDF"
e.g.
gImageReader 3.2.3 for MS Windows and Linux (03 Jul 2017) and the discussion of free OCR packages near end of first post ( 09 Jan 2013).
If anything new and materially useful is found by anyone, pls add to that thread.
Re: What is the best free OCR software?
Posted: 23 May 2018, 06:01
by L.Willms
BruceG wrote: ↑22 May 2018, 17:50
Bill
The trial version of ABBYY Finereader should do. There a limit of three pages but that should be OK for the fair.
... and it is better when the presenter at the show is familiar with the software he is using instead of having to learn an new one just for the show.
Re: What is the best free OCR software?
Posted: 23 May 2018, 09:34
by BillGill
Well, I am asking now so I will have time to get familiar with the new software. The show will be the last Saturday in August, so I am preparing now. That way I won't have a rush at the last minute to get everything together, and won't go off without something I need.
Bill
Re: What is the best free OCR software?
Posted: 23 May 2018, 09:35
by BillGill
Well, I am asking now so I will have time to get familiar with the new software. The show will be the last Saturday in August, so I am preparing now. That way I won't have a rush at the last minute to get everything together, and won't go off without something I need.
Bill