Fiche Readers

[Jane Masri]

A thought occured to me, why hasn't someone invented a gizmo for the computer (probably via the scanner) that can read fiche?
This thought manifested itself from my frustration at being 3,000 miles away from the UK with no access to a reader and seeing the miriad of fiche's that I would love to get my hands on!  I know much of the research material is being put onto CD-ROM, but that's quite expensive and I noticed that a copy of a fiche is more afordable.
Any inventors out there?  
Jane

[PaulineJ]

You should have read the posting about hand-held scanners. I've some fiche on order and I'm going to try and scan it with our Photo-quality scanner toy. It can do negatives to a high standard, so I don't see why it can't do Fiche. Will advise when that fiche arrives!

Chris in 1066 Land had already ascertained that ordianary scanners were not good enough. Let's see how far technology has moved on since then.

Pauline

[Geoff]

Hi Jane,
 You could do what I did, go to an industry or manufacturing business and ask if they have any they don't use now.

Worked for me I got a virtually new Fiche Reader for nothing.  They have been phased out with new technology and just sitting around taking up space.

best of luck

Cheers
Geoff

[Jane Masri]

Thanks Geoff & Pauline.  I've looked into hand-held readers but how am I going to get it here?  Postage would be prohibitive and the customs here would really have a field day!  If I'm lucky enough to get back to the UK in the near future I could pick one up, plus a bunch of fiche  If someone out there uses one, perhaps I could have some feed-back as to their proffeciency and recommendations as to the type to get.  In the meantime, I have to rely on the good nature of people, such as on this message board, to do look-ups for me,
Jane

[D ap D]

Jane,
most libraries have one tucked away somewhere that you should be able to use.
Alternatively, try asking some of the larger shops (ie supermarkets) or even banks. They are mostly obsolete for todays business and have been stored in cellars waiting for disposal.

On the other hand, I'm waiting in anticipation for Paulines answer.

D ap D