For digitizing some objects a scanner is much quicker than using a camera. A scanner is the most useful computer accessory you can get. Scanners are capable of recording much more than just books and photographs. You can scan almost anything that you collect. You can scan your stamp collection, your native textiles , your doll collection.
Scans are excellent documentation for insurance.
You can send copies of the scans anywhere in the world by e-mail. To make your scanning easier, and better, it helps to use SilverFast scanning software from LaserSoft Imaging. We use SilverFast on our Umax and also on our Heidelberg flatbed scanners. No special preparation, just place the ream on top of the scanner and press the GO button. This scanner does not even specialize in doing 3-D objects.