Monday, July 28, 2008

Best. Scanfest. Ever.

I just wanted to say thanks to Miriam and all the other participants in yesterday's Scanfest. I believe there were a record 17 participants all using IM and trying to scan at the same time.

I was able to scan a booklet from 1895 entitled Souvenirs of Lowville. While I had scanned this last year, I did so without really following some scanning "best practices" such as saving the master scan as a .TIFF file, using 300 dpi resolution, etc.

And despite the vicious rumors from several unnamed jealous participants (you know who you are), I did not have five scanners running at one time in order to complete my project. I'm simply efficient and can multi-task. So there.

I can't emphasize enough how much you can learn at Scanfest - it isn't all just chatting and hilarity, despite what you might hear. And, of course, if you choose, you can opt just to chat and not scan - unless you have a web camera, no one will know the difference!

The next Scanfest will be on Sunday, August 24th, from 11am - 2pm PDT (1pm - 4pm CDT here in Chicago). Check out the event listing at the Genea-Bloggers group on Facebook or visit AnceStories: The Stories of My Ancestors for more information.

5 comments:

Kathryn Doyle said...

Thomas,
I thoroughly enjoyed my first ScanFest and I will definitely be returning (but first I need to upgrade my RAM - see what I learned?) I did like the GabFest idea - all talk and no work!

Elizabeth O'Neal said...

Hey, wouldn't it be fun to use webcams? Then we could all see how you REALLY get so much done!

Seriously though, you do multitask awfully well for a man. Wish my husband could learn that trick. I was having enough trouble just remembering what I had already scanned and where my files were going! I blame my 2 year old.

Anonymous said...

Thomas,
I hadn't planned on participating due to other things I had to do, but the funny thing is...I spent about FIVE HOURS scanning on Saturday in trying to help a friend with a photo project! I was all scanned out! Maybe next time.
Donna

Miriam Robbins said...

Thanks for all your help publicizing Scanfest on the GeneaBloggers Group, Thomas. I am 100% convinced that's what made it such a large--and fun--event this time.

And Elizabeth, I have considered having a Scancamfest one of these times soon!

M. Diane Rogers said...

I too enjoyed the Scanfest - also my first, but not my last. I scanned quite a few photos, and 'talked' a bit - it's a task in itself to manipulate all those keys at once. I've been scanning ever since, so it's got me more motivated. Thanks everyone!