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Scanning Postcards - is there a better way?

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    • Created on 3 Feb 2011 at 11:11
    • #317834
    I scan them 2 to 4 (depending on size) at the time and then use Photoshop to crop and save them individually. I only show the back of cards, if they are posted and/or if there's any writing on the back. While I list one, I scan the back of the next one if necessary. My listing times vary greatly depending on what type of cards I am listing. Many of the very "sub categorized" countries, I have to search for the towns to find out what category to list them in, topics or countries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark are a lot faster, because I know where I am listing.
    After I've done the initial scanning, the actual listing takes me between 1/2 and 1 hour for 25 cards, depending on what I am listing.
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    • Created on 3 Feb 2011 at 11:11
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    • Created on 3 Feb 2011 at 11:11
    • #317834
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    • Created on 3 Feb 2011 at 11:11
    • #317834
    An interesting selection of replies

    I scan singly into Photoshop in batches of 10 or 12 at 150 dpi resolution and save to file after any required adjustment (colour correction, etc) then type up the descriptions using Wordpad using my own HTML template so when I come to list the items I can simple copy and paste from the description file - it takes about 1 - 1½ minutes per item depending on the speed of response from Delcampe

    I can also use the description file for adding items to eBay if I feel so inclined
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    An interesting selection of replies

    I scan singly into Photoshop in batches of 10 or 12 at 150 dpi resolution and save to file after any required adjustment (colour correction, etc) then type up the descriptions using Wordpad using my own HTML template so when I come to list the items I can simple copy and paste from the description file - it takes about 1 - 1½ minutes per item depending on the speed of response from Delcampe

    I can also use the description file for adding items to eBay if I feel so inclined
    • Created on 3 Feb 2011 at 15:35
    • #317888
    I can list up to 80-90 cards per day (on a long, very good day) though depends on the site I'm listing on. I think I could probably do even better on Delcampe because it seems the "fastest to list" site of the 4-5 sites I've been on.

    Descriptions take a bit of work but I have a template and use ShortKeys Lite software (free) to use keystrokes to paste in a phrase, eg condition: I'd type "/e" and it pastes "excellent, light corner wear", "wb" becomes white border etc. That saves me a lot of time.

    I think I've timed myself scanning postcards at 50-60 per hour, 3 at a time on the glass - but they scan individually at 200 dpi. Typically I just scan 24 or so at a time as that's all I can stand listing at one work session of an 1 1/2 or 2 hour max.

    Someone about a year ago, Bob? - railroad collector, I think - suggested on a thread here using a larger size scanner that can scan 8 postcards on one glass surface. I got one priced about US$160. Tried it about 2 months, got some good time efficiency but "viewer" software was more difficult to see and use for individualizing scans. Scanner was a hog for desktop space too, so fell into disuse.

    Recently got another work desk where I can set up the big scanner again. May give it another shot. One morning you'll sign into Delcampe and overnight I'll have listed 8,000 cards!!!:wink2:

    cheers, Brent
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    I can list up to 80-90 cards per day (on a long, very good day) though depends on the site I'm listing on. I think I could probably do even better on Delcampe because it seems the "fastest to list" site of the 4-5 sites I've been on.

    Descriptions take a bit of work but I have a template and use ShortKeys Lite software (free) to use keystrokes to paste in a phrase, eg condition: I'd type "/e" and it pastes "excellent, light corner wear", "wb" becomes white border etc. That saves me a lot of time.

    I think I've timed myself scanning postcards at 50-60 per hour, 3 at a time on the glass - but they scan individually at 200 dpi. Typically I just scan 24 or so at a time as that's all I can stand listing at one work session of an 1 1/2 or 2 hour max.

    Someone about a year ago, Bob? - railroad collector, I think - suggested on a thread here using a larger size scanner that can scan 8 postcards on one glass surface. I got one priced about US$160. Tried it about 2 months, got some good time efficiency but "viewer" software was more difficult to see and use for individualizing scans. Scanner was a hog for desktop space too, so fell into disuse.

    Recently got another work desk where I can set up the big scanner again. May give it another shot. One morning you'll sign into Delcampe and overnight I'll have listed 8,000 cards!!!:wink2:

    cheers, Brent
    • Created on 3 Feb 2011 at 16:14
    • #317892
    Re searching a town in "sub categorized" countries, eg France or Germany, I found a useful way to cut down the search time to find the state, department, etc the particular town belongs to represented on the card when I have no idea where to start:

    I open another tab in Firefox & go to Wikipedia. While working on the listing, I'll cut and paste the town or place name into Wiki's search box and the entry usually tells me what region, province, department etc the town is in. I then click back to the Delcampe listing tab and find the correct subcategory for the card.

    It's improved my efficiency, my geography, and appreciation of the many beautiful places in Europe and elsewhere!

    cheers, Brent
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    Re searching a town in "sub categorized" countries, eg France or Germany, I found a useful way to cut down the search time to find the state, department, etc the particular town belongs to represented on the card when I have no idea where to start:

    I open another tab in Firefox & go to Wikipedia. While working on the listing, I'll cut and paste the town or place name into Wiki's search box and the entry usually tells me what region, province, department etc the town is in. I then click back to the Delcampe listing tab and find the correct subcategory for the card.

    It's improved my efficiency, my geography, and appreciation of the many beautiful places in Europe and elsewhere!

    cheers, Brent
    • Created on 3 Feb 2011 at 16:23
    • #317893
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    I can list up to 80-90 cards per day (on a long, very good day) though depends on the site I'm listing on. I think I could probably do even better on Delcampe because it seems the "fastest to list" site of the 4-5 sites I've been on.

    Descriptions take a bit of work but I have a template and use ShortKeys Lite software (free) to use keystrokes to paste in a phrase, eg condition: I'd type "/e" and it pastes "excellent, light corner wear", "wb" becomes white border etc. That saves me a lot of time.

    I think I've timed myself scanning postcards at 50-60 per hour, 3 at a time on the glass - but they scan individually at 200 dpi. Typically I just scan 24 or so at a time as that's all I can stand listing at one work session of an 1 1/2 or 2 hour max.

    Someone about a year ago, Bob? - railroad collector, I think - suggested on a thread here using a larger size scanner that can scan 8 postcards on one glass surface. I got one priced about US$160. Tried it about 2 months, got some good time efficiency but "viewer" software was more difficult to see and use for individualizing scans. Scanner was a hog for desktop space too, so fell into disuse.

    Recently got another work desk where I can set up the big scanner again. May give it another shot. One morning you'll sign into Delcampe and overnight I'll have listed 8,000 cards!!!:wink2:

    cheers, Brent
    • Created on 3 Feb 2011 at 16:14
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    • Created on 3 Feb 2011 at 17:04
    • #317895
    useful idea, but i don't always find the category listings here as accurate as Wiki! Plus, I learn more the Wiki way :wink2:
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    • Created on 3 Feb 2011 at 17:12
    • #317896
    As long as Delcampe's not having server "moments" , the selling form usually works as fast for me, the upload being quick. Bulk listers seem to have their own bugs and idiosyncrasies. Each to their own, of course. Whatever works best for you, keep on doing. It's all about get those listings up!
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    useful idea, but i don't always find the category listings here as accurate as Wiki! Plus, I learn more the Wiki way :wink2:
    • Created on 3 Feb 2011 at 18:34
    • #317900
    Darn it! Someone else cottoned on to my way of working and replying to questions on the forum!

    For British towns I have a comprehensive gazetteer which lists most places down to village level but some of the 'common' names are heavily duplicated so I have to resort to Google/Wiki to determine which it is
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    As long as Delcampe's not having server "moments" , the selling form usually works as fast for me, the upload being quick. Bulk listers seem to have their own bugs and idiosyncrasies. Each to their own, of course. Whatever works best for you, keep on doing. It's all about get those listings up!
    • Created on 3 Feb 2011 at 18:37
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    • Created on 4 Feb 2011 at 02:07
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    • Created on 4 Feb 2011 at 02:48
    • #317941
    Hmm - I've been called some things in my time, but brainiac? Kind of you to say so and include me in such august company as t'other two

    I too enjoy the challenge of researching, not just the where but also the why certain cards were produced - I once thought about starting a collection of 'why did they bother?' cards showing the most boring scenes imaginable, but it got too depressing!

    Your research path mirrors my approach to holidays, i.e. "where does this road lead to?" - interesting places, stunning views and nice friendly people are all waiting round the corner, so don't be blinkered by a linear approach to life!

    Remember Edward de Bono's "Lateral Thinking"? Look it up if you don't...
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    Hmm - I've been called some things in my time, but brainiac? Kind of you to say so and include me in such august company as t'other two

    I too enjoy the challenge of researching, not just the where but also the why certain cards were produced - I once thought about starting a collection of 'why did they bother?' cards showing the most boring scenes imaginable, but it got too depressing!

    Your research path mirrors my approach to holidays, i.e. "where does this road lead to?" - interesting places, stunning views and nice friendly people are all waiting round the corner, so don't be blinkered by a linear approach to life!

    Remember Edward de Bono's "Lateral Thinking"? Look it up if you don't...
    • Created on 4 Feb 2011 at 03:41
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    • Created on 4 Feb 2011 at 03:54
    • #317961
    One of my tutors at college always opened his tutorial conversations with "Have you read that book by Edward de Bono yet?"
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    One of my tutors at college always opened his tutorial conversations with "Have you read that book by Edward de Bono yet?"
    • Created on 4 Feb 2011 at 04:16
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    • Created on 4 Feb 2011 at 02:48
    • #317941
    Thank you for the compliment Wyvern. As long as you don't trust me on Wales! When I get stuck on Welsh cards I tend to consult Redbook's listings.

    It is good to see, that I am not the only one who gets sidetracked when searching for towns and villages. Specially when I have to use Wikipedia, because Delcampe doesn't provide me with an answer, I often find myself reading most of the article about the place in question.

    I've never used the lister - I find the Delcampe selling form extremely easy to use and would have to type all the same info into the lister document anyhow. The only time it is a problem is when the site is having a "funny turn", like this morning, when I've actually given up on listing.
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    Thank you for the compliment Wyvern. As long as you don't trust me on Wales! When I get stuck on Welsh cards I tend to consult Redbook's listings.

    It is good to see, that I am not the only one who gets sidetracked when searching for towns and villages. Specially when I have to use Wikipedia, because Delcampe doesn't provide me with an answer, I often find myself reading most of the article about the place in question.

    I've never used the lister - I find the Delcampe selling form extremely easy to use and would have to type all the same info into the lister document anyhow. The only time it is a problem is when the site is having a "funny turn", like this morning, when I've actually given up on listing.
    • Created on 4 Feb 2011 at 04:22
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    • Created on 4 Feb 2011 at 02:48
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    • Created on 4 Feb 2011 at 04:30
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    • Created on 4 Feb 2011 at 04:30
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    • Created on 4 Feb 2011 at 04:44
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    • Created on 4 Feb 2011 at 04:52
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