The installation as supplied on the CD-ROM is straightforward and keeps you updated on its progress. For the purposes of the review, I selected the installation option using all of the program's defaults. Using the popular InstallShield utility, the CardScan Plus 300 software can be easily uninstalled later should you choose to do so.

At one point during the installation, the software prompts you for the serial number of your unit. This serial number is supplied on one of the printed manuals so be careful with your documentation.

Once the installation of the CardScan software is complete, you can configure the device to work with your computer and your PalmPilot. The supplied documentation steps you through the process of selecting which scanner came in the box, which parallel port to use and performing a series of test scans to calibrate the scanner.

To have the CardScan Plus 300 work with the PalmPilot, you execute an additional configuration program called "PalmPilot Conduit Setup". This setup program has only two screens for working with the PalmPilot: one that enables CardScan synchronization, shown in Figure B, and another that determines the type of synchronization, shown in Figure C.

FIGURE B


Using the setup program, the CardScan conduit can be disabled to allow for synchronizing with the normal PalmPilot Desktop - a nice touch. Roll over picture for a larger image.

FIGURE C


This screen is where the synchronization type is selected. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Once I had completed these screens and restarted the HotSync manager, I was ready to start using the software in conjunction with my Pilot.

My experience with the CardScan Plus 300
The CardScan contact management software which comes bundled with the scanner is what I would describe as an entry level contact manager. Using the familiar Rolodex metaphor, the system allows you to view contact information either one name at a time or in a tabular listing. The views which list multiple names can only be sorted by contact last name, by company name or by whether or not the address information has been marked as verified. This last view is helpful for performing data cleanup after scanning.

Features which set this software above the average Rolodex-style application include duplicate checking, an integrated phone dialer, multiple contact list merge, launch of the contact's URL in your default browser and sending E-mail to MAPI compliant E-mail systems based on the E-mail address of the currently selected name. The CardScan contact manager also allows you (not surprisingly) to store the card's image within the database for later review and recall. Figure D shows the CardScan contact manager application in action.

FIGURE D


Other than on the PalmPilot, this is where you'll enter and maintain address information. Roll over picture for a larger image.

How well do the scanner and OCR conversion work?
The scanner automatically detects the insertion of a business card into the scanning platform and draws it into the scanning area. The bundled software is designed to operate in batch mode - scan a dozen or so cards then perform the OCR (optical character recognition) conversion. The system would work equally well one card at a time.