Amiga Workbench 3.0 In PDF is here

[Dimlow]

Amiga Workbench 3.0 Manual In PDF is here.


I have just spent the last hour or so, scanning and OCRing the Workbench manual with my latest eBay bargin, an Automatic document feeder Scanner. If any body is interested in a copy of it, i will pop it in the zone for you all. Also I'm able to scan other documents in this way, but will have to cut the spine of the document off to scan it. But the offer is there is you have spare Amiga docs you would like to be made into PDF's for sharing.

The Workbench manual is a Searchable PDF, what that means is that you are able to search for texts in the document and also copy and paste it into other docs

[OddbOd]

A proper text PDF is always appreciated especially manuals and tech documents, as long as the mods have no objections I see no reason not to make it available.

[StevenJGore]

I've often thought that all Amiga and Workbench manuals should be PDF'd for the purposes of preservation. This is a good start!

but will have to cut the spine of the document off to scan it

So would anybody like to sacrifice their mint condition manuals?

...

Steve.

[Dimlow]

Ok, it is text, but its also an image, you will see what i mean when i have finished uploading it to the zone. Im uploading now to the zone.

So would anybody like to sacrifice their mint condition manuals?

My Manual was Almost mint, but sacrificed for you all! shame it was such bad print quality.

Edit, All Uploaded now!

[BippyM]

After talking to the other Mods we have decided to allow this to be re-upped to the zone and for it to allow unless someone (cloanto maybe) complains!

[Dimlow]

eh ?

Thread Closed then open again?
I dont understand. But never mind, i deleted it off my PC now, so someone else will have to upload it.

[eLowar]

Originally Posted by Dimlow

eh ?

Thread Closed then open again?

We're all a little on edge about Workbench copyright issues. Bad things have happened in the past.

Originally Posted by Dimlow

My Manual was Almost mint, but sacrificed for you all! shame it was such bad print quality.

If you're interested in some constructive criticism, I would've batch filtered the pages and applied some contrast enhancement on them (possibly this could even already be done in the scanner driver).

The images also seem to be very low resolution, which is understandable since PDF files with many slightly noisy images (such as you get when scanning) grow very big. A noise reduction filter might help, but I expect the file size would still be bigger.

I personally would prefer if archival efforts like this were made in a more modern/appropriate format like DjVu, which also allows for images with an additional OCR layer, but uses wavelet based image compression, allowing for high resolution, high quality scans at very small file sizes.

The last bit is more of a general comment about document scans, which I think might also be worth considering here.

I hope you're not too upset about BippyM's reaction, please keep in mind that he only has the best interest of this board and all its users in mind.

[Dimlow]

I have a large hi quality version here, its 50 Mb, to big to post to the zone, i deleted the low quality version. The compression in the PDF made it look low resolution. The smallest i can get the good version is 44Mb with winrar, still to big for the zone. All scans were done with 300 dpi, not great, but OK. I'm my HQ version all images have been level adjusted / cleaned in photoshop and are clear and easy to read, with good contrast. If someone has a place i can upload, i will, but i have a slow connection to the net. Broadband says BT, but its only 400k. I live in the sticks. So i cant email to individuals it will take me for ever.

I'm not upset about what happened. I was only posting for other to use it. I think it would be a good idea for someone to create an Amiga documentation project to preserve all these documents. These type of documents seem to be missing, from the Amiga scene, other old hardware seems to have a lot more documentation available. I was only trying to be helpful.

[TCD]

Hi Dimlow,

You could use Magix FTP to upload your high quality version of the manual. Look at this thread for the account infos : http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=38697

[Dimlow]

Ok, its uploading to a new directory i created "Amiga Documentation"

[TCD]

Thank you very much Dimlow

[eLowar]

Originally Posted by Dimlow

Ok, its uploading to a new directory i created "Amiga Documentation"

Thanks, I'll play around with it when I have time and see how small it can get in different formats at high quality.

[Dimlow]

Still has 30 Minute to go till uploaded. I still have the original scans but that's over 476Mb, im not uploading them!

Edit, also , you will notice that some of the pages are still light, that's because of the original being very light. I was not possible to scan them any better.

[Dimlow]

Upload is finished

[Rabbit80]

If only I had the manuals - we have £25000 worth of scanning equipment at work. Would probably take 30 mins to scan on one of our flatbeds without destroying the original - and we also use VRS to enhance the light patches giving almost perfect black text on white background. This also reduces image size.

[BippyM]

Originally Posted by Dimlow

eh ?

Thread Closed then open again?
I dont understand. But never mind, i deleted it off my PC now, so someone else will have to upload it.

You must understand that my main interest as a moderator is to protect the EAB from any possibility of closure by any third party due to copyright violation!

In my opinion this book should be treated exactly the same as workbench adf's and kickstart images, but after a discussion with the other moderators I have decided to allow it to remain.

If however someone does make a complaint, or threatens EAB I will be forced to ensure it doesn't get uploaded again!

Please don't take this personally, I think you spending your time scanning and prepping the book is fantastic and if there are other books which you plan to do you have my support 110%

[tonyyeb]

I'm all for the great community effort that the Amiga scene has, but is this copyright violation?

[Dimlow]

just look in the zone for copyrighted material, im not alone

[tonyyeb]

I don't have access to the zone. It says I don't have permission.

EDIT: Found how to get permission.

[Shoonay]

check the faq there matey
http://eab.abime.net/faq.php?faq=vb_...ezone_faq_item