One of the few Windows XP machines left is main usage is for the Fujitsu ScanSnap S510 scanner that I have been using for years: it is small, does duplex scanning, emits searchable PDFs through an embedded Adobe Acrobat and Abby ScanSnap Edition OCR license. The Scan button on the scanner “just works” and allows for a “Scan Now, organize later” workflow.
Just Works: if a user is logged in on the Windows machine, which usually is the case.
Next to that, it is used for internet browsing and remote desktop access to VMs in the various clouds: it is more than adequate for that with dual Dell UltraSharp U2407WFP monitors at 1920×1200. The extra 120 pixels over “modern” 1080p do make a difference you know.
I never bothered to upgrade the machine, as it works so nicely and I have had bad experience replacing systems that include embedded licenses: it usually doesn’t work.
Of course I could buy a new ScanSnap iX500, but I don’t want to increase the electronic waste unless I’ve researched if it is possible to get the ScanSnap S510 working on Windows 7 or 8.x, or even on one of my Macs.
So here are some links for further research on a light-weight solution: Read the rest of this entry »
The Wiert Corner - irregular stream of stuff 