If you're as computer dependent as I am, you're always on the lookout for gadgets to make your life easier. But, as with all things in life, many don't live up to the hype.

One of the tech toys I've become very dependent on is my business card scanner, which not only eliminates the stacks of cards scattered about my desk, but also provides me with instant access to all of my contacts without my having to type in all of the essential information.

Well, it seems the folks at Plustek want a piece of that market with the release of their new OptiCard 820 ($149) business card and photo scanner.

This is an inexpensive, portable scanner that can be tucked away in your notebook's case or take up a small area of your desk. And what makes it unique is that it can also be used to scan 4-by-6-inch photos (a planned free upgrade will expand its capabilities to handle 4-by-8-inch pictures).

The unit I played with did a very good job handling pictures, but there were far too many OCR errors in reading the business cards (especially those with color backgrounds) to make it a viable competitor for a market now dominated by companies such as Corex and NewSoft. Of course, if you want the convenience of also scanning photos, it's the only game in town.

Also, the software package left me wanting more. Neither Image Folio nor Presto! Mr. Photo 3 give you the ability to do a good job of touching up your pictures before you e-mail them to friends or make prints.

On the positive side, I.R.I.S. Cardiris 3.5, is a very powerful tool, providing a well organized, easily searchable database of all of your cards and giving you the ability to export your data to a bevy of databases, including Microsoft Outlook, ACT, Goldmine and Palm Desktop.

Other features include:

• It's USB 2.0 compatible. Just plug it into the USB port on your computer and it's ready to use.
• It's powered by the USB bus, so there's no power cord, making it extremely portable.
• There are only two buttons --- one for BCR (for cards) and the other for scan.
• It comes with a pouch to protect it when you're carrying it with you.
• It scans cards and photos at 600 pixels, which is more than adequate for printing or e-mailing pictures to friends and family.

To sum up: If you want an inexpensive, portable scanner that can handle business cards and photos, it's the only game in town. Also, this may be a decent alternative if you're on a limited budget.

For more information, check out www.plustek.com.

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