another problem

**JohnF** · 14th May 2009, 09:40 AM

I am sure there is a simple answer to my problem, but I do not know it. A friend, from way down mexico way scanned a out of print book, a book called "Trail of the Serpent" by Murl Vance. My friend scanned it for me as a JPEG, and gave it to me on a USB flash drive when he was up on holidays. I want it as a Word document, as I have permission to reprint this book from the original very elderly publisher, and need to edit out some previous minor errors. Have imported it into Word as JPEG photos of the pages. How do I convert it to Microsoft word text for editing, as when this book was first printed they did not have all the Greek fonts and symbols available, which I want to add.

**abaddonxi** · 14th May 2009, 09:59 AM

You could have a look at the results of this search -
ocr jpg - Google Search

There are a bunch of free jpg converters.

I think most scanners come with OCR software that you could use.

Simon

**Ferret** · 14th May 2009, 10:21 AM

You will need to use OCR (optical character recognition) software. The 'text' in the your jpeg image is not 'text'. it is just a 'picture of the text'.

I know, to you there is no difference between 'text' and a 'picture of text' but to a computer they are chalk and cheese.

OCR software attempts to recognise each individual letter in your document to convert it text. How successful this process is depends on the quality of the jpeg document and the sophistication of the OCR software.

In most cases this is very much less than perfect. You will end up with misspelt, unrecognisable words and general document layout irregularities. Be prepared to put quite a bit effort into manually correcting the spelling and formatting at the end of the process, especially if you have unusual fonts, Greek characters and symbols .

Use Google to search for 'OCR software'. There is some free stuff around. Alternatively your mate may already have some, simple forms of it are often packaged with the software included when you buy a scanner.

If you document is lengthy - good luck.

**JohnF** · 14th May 2009, 10:34 AM

It is a 186 page book. I know it will be a lot of work, but I want to do it. I give away my books for free, having paid for the printing costs myself, so am not expecting to make even one cent on this, but do it for the love of educating people. Murl Vance, the author of this book was murdered, though at least one website says he died of natural causes. I think his book deserves to be read, but is heavy reading. Only 5000 of these books were ever published. I want to do a thousand or so more copies, after correcting a few minor things--I do not have money or resourses to do more copies.

**Ferret** · 14th May 2009, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by JohnF

I give away my books for free, having paid for the printing costs myself, so am not expecting to make even one cent on this, but do it for the love of educating people.

If you wish, send me a few pages of your document. I will run it through my OCR software, send you back the results so you can see what sort of effort might be involved.

If you give me a PM, we can exchange email address.

olbod · 14th May 2009, 02:45 PM

JohF, when you you have finished correcting it I would't mind buying
an electronic copy off you ?
Tar.

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