TurboScan App

Tap that app #2: Scanning App 

Here was my need:

    For my Lit. class, I had drawn a graph showing the progressing plot of the novel we were reading.  My teacher needed the paper on our Wiggio group (Online website that helps our class see each other's papers, and comment/edit as necessary).
    The problem was... how was I going to get my graph onto my computer?  I could scan my paper with my printer onto the computer, but the end result is always grainy and I have only used scan once or twice in my life (I am too young to have experience in faxing).  If I had been smart I would have just made the graph on a Word or Pages document, but I am still really slow at adding graphs and I didn't have the time.   I was tapping through the App store when I came across something called a scanning app.

For me, time is key.  If something can save me time in school so I can move onto the next subject well Hallelujah!

TurboScan

      Basically, the scanning app takes a photo of your document with your camera, you edit what it will look like, and it changes the photo to a PDF, PGN, or JPEG file.  Voilá!  You can choose to save the new file to your phone, or e-mail it right then.   TurboScan, and other fancy versions can also send files to several different online storage sites such as; Evernote, iDisk, Mobile Me, Box.Net, Humyo, and GoogleDocs.



I have tested my scanning app, and it has passed.  This is a keeper!

Here you can tell I just scanned notebook paper.
You can choose to make the scan black and white,
or keep the original color.

This was a hard test for the scanner app, and TurboScan passed.
Here is a really (obviously) old document in business card form,
it also was laminated.  Besides the camera flash covering "American"
the scan was great. 

Ok, here is a book cover I scanned.  The color as you see,
is very altered even missing in some places.
The scanning app is designed for text but I will say in
black and white this scan wasn't half bad.

Just a photo I took with my camera to show what the cover actually looked like.

Different items you can scan are; Documents, Business cards, Receipts, Notes, and White boards.


     There are many different scanning apps out there on the market, some are free and others -from what I've seen- range from about $2.99-$6.99 and for many there is an option to choose free and upgrade later if you like using the app.  Here I've listed a few.

Paid:
Scanner Pro
JotNot Scanner Pro
ScanBizCards
TurboScan (that's mine)

Free
Scan Pages
Genius Scan
JotNot Scanner (This can be upgraded to JotNot Scanner Pro)



My Paper was scanned, and e-mailed to my teacher in moments.  Time saver!

No, the above was not my whole paper.  The rest could be typed up.

Let me know if you have an app you want a review for!

Mourning Water

Here is a story I wrote last year for my literature class.  The assignment was all about settings and bringing the reader into the scenes.  Enjoy! 

CooOOoo-woo-woooo. . .   The elegiac call of the dove penetrated the still silence.  A bitter gray mist clouded all vision as if a shroud was cloaking the still silent air.  The water, a dark and ominous color, lay morbidly still.  A shadowy forest loomed overhead, and the undergrowth was tangled and thorny.  Branches barely visible were groping though the murk, reaching out their decrepit gnarled fingers.  Wet haze wrapped around the figure, chilling him through to the bone.  He noticed the cold, sharp smell of damp morning air.  When breathing, the taste of forest and biting air inhaled ran harshly down his throat.  Vicious winds sprang-up piercing his face, keeping his ears, cheeks and nose numb.  Following the overgrown path to the waters edge, the traveler dipped his hand into the water.  Gelid liquid grasped the hand like it was trying hard to pull its trespasser farther down to the water’s bed.  Taking care not to slip on the moss-laden rocks and fall, he cautiously crossed to the far side of the cove; he stopped and looked around trying to get his bearings.  A camouflaged deer stared at him from inside a thicket.  Terrified, the deer ran off into the looming woods.  Taking from his pack the last hunk of dry bread, now green and molded, he hastily pitched the revolting, putrid crust.  Now starving, freezing and miserable there was nothing to do but to continue.  Rising, he walked blindly on, seeing objects just moments before impact. 

Suddenly a golden beam of hope, streamed through the fog, dissolving the haze before it.  In the in between moment where on one side, clear blue sky, the sun rising up in the east, a bright amber; the other side still cold and gray, murky vapor drifted farther away as the radiant sunlight chased it.  The water sparkled a moment with the newfound light in peaceful shades of blue and green, then transformed into a shimmering reflective mirror.  The stepping-stones resembled an emerald garland across the water.  A ray of sunbeams fell onto the roof of a small cottage.  A mouthwatering aroma of bacon, mushrooms and eggs, drifted out the chimney in the morning breeze.  The wanderer’s hunger vanished, with the sight of home.  Forgetting all fears and anxiety, the man walked briskly to the wooden fence surrounding the garden.  Effortlessly, he sailed over the gate.  Coming up to the front door, he called out to whomever was inside.  The door sprung opened with shouts of “He’s home, He’s home, Father’s home!”  Two children ran forward to meet a big bear hug.  A woman with a babe on her hip, stood at the steps, overjoyed to see her husband home.  She smiled at the little one’s ecstatic bursts of “What did you bring me?” and “We missed you.”  Glancing back, the man saw that what was once dark and dismal, now was happy and cheerful.  The enchanting trees rich in color and in might stood proud and calm.  Bushes were dressed with vibrant blooms.  Wildflowers that bordered the yard lifted their heads to the dawn.  A bird just waking to the morning light chirped a carefree tune. . . as if the night had never been and morning always would be.