Textbridge or OCR

[Foehn]

Does anyone know is there is a free download that will do the same job as Textbridge used to do on my old system, or, a Win 7 compatible version of textbridge?
I have bought a new printer which doesn't seem to support any sort of OCR.

Is it better to print to PDF and then use an editable text programme to work in the PDF?

 

[Megahertz07]

OCR isn't linked to a hardware. It's a software that "reads" an image and convert the read ed text into a document.
OCR software normally comes with a scanner. My Epson scanner came with Abbyy and it does the job - Download Trial
Textbridge - TextBridge Pro - Software Informer. TextBridge Pro is an OCR program for Windows turning printed pages into e-docs.

I didn't understand what you meant when you wrote:
Is it better to print to PDF and then use an editable text programme to work in the PDF?

What you want to do with an OCR software? Convert a image or a PDF into text?

free OCR - Google

 

[Foehn]

Perhaps I didn't explain well enough. I am aware that Textbridge is software. I used to have v2.0 which came with my old scanner and I found it very useful. I used it to convert my Great gt gt grandfather's diary to editable text within Word. But, It won't run on Win 7 and the new printer which is also a scanner, doesn't have OCR software included. I can scan documents but not into an editable form as they scan to PDF or read only. I'd like to be able to edit.
I understand that PDF can be converted with the right software.

 

[Megahertz07]

If you scan and print as PDF it will still be an image and you will have to use a OCR software to convert it into text.
All scanners I've seen came with a OCR software. Sorry to ask, but did you look for it on the disk that came with your scanner?
What is the brand and model of your printer/scanner?

 

[Foehn]

Yes I looked, it doesn't have OCR.
Model of new printer is Colour laserjet Pro,HP MFP M477fdw

 

[Megahertz07]

Just came to my mind that, when installing MS Office 2010, I saw an option to install OCR. As I use Abbyy that came with my Epson scanner I didn't install. If you do have MS Office, have a look on the Office tools

 

[strollin]

How sure are you that Textbridge won't run on Win 7? Did you try installing in Compatibility Mode?

 

[Foehn]

Strollin, Not sure about compatibility mode. it was 12 months ago that I began to change things after the crash and death of my beloved XP computer. I will try again.

Megahertz07 sadly I run office 2003. I know it's now old technology, but I went back to this as it is so much easier to find stuff. I used to work with 2010 with my occupation, but I was constantly annoyed that there was no training offered, and things I was used to using had been hidden in all sorts of places that didn't seem to make much sense.
That gives me an idea though, as v2.0 ran well in word 2003, so I will have another look.

 

[Megahertz07]

"The best software is the one you know how to use"

I also love Win XP and Office 2003. I still have them on my very old laptop.
I really don't understand why they change the interface. After 5 years, it's still difficult to find things in Office 2010.
New versions should work better and look the same. At least they should have a option to choose as "old interface".

To run a program on compatibility mode:
- Install the program.
- Right click on the shortcut - properties - Compatibility tab - Windows XP

 

[Foehn]

This has become a hair tearing exercise. Have tried running in compatibility but, won't load on Win 7 without errors connected to compatibility but did get it to install on the virtual PC except that it won't open and run. It doesn't appear to have downloaded the "run" icon so just going around in an endless loop. Looks as if I will have to hunt out a newer version which I hope will solve the problem