I need the best OCR software money can buy

[0pTicaL]

I have a client that wants his hand written documents scanned to readable, editable text. His handwriting is close to scribbled cursive. I tried gave Abbyy Professional a try but it would not recognize the writing. Is there another option?

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

ABBYY is about as good as it gets. There are limits to what OCR can do; even when it can read text, there results normally require considerable editing to weed out the errors in character recognition. Results are normally best when reading machine printed text. One has to have a consistent, fine fist (excellent handwriting) to expect OCR to be able to read handwritten text. The closer one gets to cursive, the more errors will creep in until the OCR simply can't read it, period.

 

[0pTicaL]

Thank you for your reply. I tried looking for other OCR and ICR programs and none seem to be able to read scribbled cursive. Heck, even I have a extremely difficult time reading what's written so I doubt any software would be able to. Now I'm faced with the problem of having to fully refund the customer and take a loss because I didn't expect the writing to be impossible to read. And the client being a attorney doesn't help at all either…

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Thank you for your reply. I tried looking for other OCR and ICR programs and none seem to be able to read scribbled cursive. Heck, even I have a extremely difficult time reading what's written so I doubt any software would be able to. Now I'm faced with the problem of having to fully refund the customer and take a loss because I didn't expect the writing to be impossible to read. And the client being a attorney doesn't help at all either…

Ouch!

 

[0pTicaL]

Gonna give OmniPage18 a try. If it works half the time, great, if it doesn't, oh well lesson learned. Who the hell still writes everything on paper these days and have their assistant type it up in word. Seems highly inefficient and redundant to me. First time I ever been to a lawyers office who refuses to use a word processor.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

How old is the lawyer?

 

[0pTicaL]

In his mid to late 70s

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

In his mid to late 70s

That explains it. That's the way he learned to do it and refused to embrace more modern technology either because he is a Luddite or is cheap (or both).

 

[0pTicaL]

Either way, I hope I can offer some type of resolution that he'll be satisfied with. These are the worse type of customers.

 

[UsernameIssues]

If nothing else, then scanning in each page so that there is an electronic copy might be of some value.

I've helped a few offices over the years and have come to learn some of the rules/regulations that they operate under. I've never worked with a law office, so I don't know of any special (costly?) precautions that they face. I doubt that it is cost effective to even attempt to scan/convert these handwritten notes to a form that can be edited/searched. If this is a must, then the lawyer might be better off dictating his own notes to a typist. They might complete the project before he keels over :-(

 

[0pTicaL]

This might surprise you but from what I know so far he's being doing it this way for over 30yrs (handwriting it and having his assistant type it up in Word). His assistant told me in the early years his handwriting wasn't so bad but I guess with age legibility has declined, dramatically, to the point his assistant can't stand it anymore and now wants him to learn how to use a computer, which I highly doubt he's willing at his age. The main problem is HE doesn't think his handwriting ability as diminished because it's been declining at such a slow rate he still thinks his writing ability is the same as it was 30yrs ago. I'm better off convincing a chimp.

 

[UsernameIssues]

After having tried the truth, it might be best for the assistant to say that s/he can no longer read this lawyer's handwriting, blame declining eyesight and retire

Then see how the next assistance handles things.

 

[0pTicaL]

That's the whole reason their office contacted me was because the assistant time and time again stated she's getting old and can no longer read his writing and hopes to find a software solution. I believe he's going to hold me to that. Worse case scenario, $2000 refund.

 

[boohbah]

is it possible to get a speech to text program, and have him read the notes to the computer?

something like this.

Dragon for PC - Dragon NaturallySpeaking Speech Recognition Software - a complete suite of product editions to meet the specific needs of individual users - Nuance  - Nuance.co.uk

 

[0pTicaL]

That was one of my first recommendations but he's adamant on doing it his old fashion way.

 

[boohbah]

ah well,

i understand his reluctance however as a lawyer then one would have thought he would have the intelligence to see that change is needed.

im surprised he is still working at 70 and a lawyer,he should have been retired and golfing most days for the last 20 years.

sounds like he's the boss and calls all the shots.

 

[0pTicaL]

Yeah he's his own boss and continue to practice because he loves his job, but calling me on a Sunday and giving me a ear full while throwing his weight around is not how I'd expect a lawyer to conduct himself.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Sounds to me you would be wise to cut your losses and bail on the bozo.

 

[UsernameIssues]

...Worse case scenario, $2000 refund.

No, the worst case scenario would be for him to demand a refund and also charge you his rates for the time spent interacting with you... his time and his assistant's time :-(

 

[0pTicaL]

Sounds to me you would be wise to cut your losses and bail on the bozo.

Would it help if no contract or agreement was signed prior to work performed? Everything was done through verbal agreements.

...Worse case scenario, $2000 refund.

No, the worst case scenario would be for him to demand a refund and also charge you his rates for the time spent interacting with you... his time and his assistant's time :-(

That would suck.