Date   : Tue, 12 Aug 2003 13:03:14 +0000
From   : "W.Scholten" <whs@...>
Subject: scan size (Re: 270 BBC books.)

C Alastair Seggie wrote:
> 
> Wouter
> 
> I recognise some of those books, some are even in the bookshelf beside
> me I will be glad to scan them in, but what quality, or more to the
> point what SiZe?

100dpi would give about 1200 pixels vertically for A4, so that looks
like a good resolution for the web (but watch out for patterns appearing
due to the printing dot pattern/scanning pattern interference; I usually
scan at 300 dpi, then reduce the size to avoid this). 200 dpi is fine
too, I'll reduce files that are too big.

> I have broad band so as large as you like. Then you can reduce the
> quality to what you think is appropriate and have a high quality image
> as a backup.

For some reason very high res scans for books don't interst me much,
contrary to mags where I scan at 300 dpi and keep the images at that
size too. Maybe it's because as Mike Mallet noted that so many books are
rather dire. But also, mags tend to have more real information in the
covers and interior pages. Btw, it might also be a good idea for scans
of the rears (for some information on what it's about, until there are
reviews/decriptions of each, see next).

I'd also be interested in reviews or description of the books. If anyone
has some thoughts on books that they read, or ocr'ed scans from
magazines, I could add this to the web pages, making the book list a
html page with references to 'reviews'. This could mention wether a book
is useful, useless or just superfluous (10th similar title (but later
published) on a given topic). Introductory books for example I find all
useless and boring. E.g. I've glanced through 'Bains: Better guide to
the BBC micro' and didn't find anything covered just as well as in the
user guide. What's better? Anyone find such books interesting/useful?
Send me a mail!

Regards,

Wouter
-- 
BBC/atom/old magazine scans etc:
http://www.astro.livjm.ac.uk/~bbc/