Visioneer has solved this dilema with the PaperPort. PaperPort is a personal, desktop scanner with a document communications software package that lets you get paper into your computer. You can scan newspaper clippings, letters, memos, reports, brochures, newsletters, and even business cards. The list is almost endless. Once scanned into your computer, you can add notes and highlights, print and fax documents, edit documents using a word processor, and save the scanned documents.
Installation is easy.
Just plug the PaperPort into either the modem or printer port and install the software. This can be a problem, however if you already have a modem and a printer using both ports. Visioneer forsaw this potential problem and offers several solutions and even includes a coupon for use on the purchase of a serial card. I found the easiest solution was a manual switch box. I now have my printer and PaperPort hooked up to the same port.