Yes We Scan: A web app that brings old USB scanners back to life
Toasted golden, schmeared with insight. Top of the rack.
Summary
A developer describes creating "yes-we-scan.app," a web application that allows users to use old USB scanners that modern computers can no longer communicate with. The project was inspired by a previous effort called "printervention.app" which made old Canon photo printers usable. The article explains the backstory of how the developer wanted to help their parents and in-laws use old Canon hardware, and then realized they had an old Canon USB scanner sitting on a shelf that previously required a Windows 95 VM to operate.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledDo you have an old USB scanner that your computer can't talk to? If so, this is the web app for you.
I started out wanting to make an old Canon photo printer usable by my parents and in-laws.
The last time I'd used that, I think I'd resorted to setting up a Windows 95 VM.
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